Small Eggar larva (Eriogaster lanestris).
The Small Eggar larvae that I have been following this year have now reached their final instar and are very busy feeding up before they pupate.
This year I have found 39 larval webs of this scarce moth, which is thought to be the only colony on the South Downs National Park. A species that was thought to be close to county wide extinction until I found a larval web out of the blue back in 2017.
Update, I found another web today so now its 40 found this year!!
This one is totally oblivious of me as it eats its way through a Blackthorn leaf.
Small Eggar larva (Eriogaster lanestris).
The Small Eggar larvae that I have been following this year have now reached their final instar and are very busy feeding up before they pupate.
This year I have found 39 larval webs of this scarce moth, which is thought to be the only colony on the South Downs National Park. A species that was thought to be close to county wide extinction until I found a larval web out of the blue back in 2017.
Update, I found another web today so now its 40 found this year!!
This one is totally oblivious of me as it eats its way through a Blackthorn leaf.