Dot

Just two pictures today which were taken in our garden.  It's always amazing to find out what is living in our own back gardens without our knowledge.  This little creepy-crawly for instance is the larva of a fairly common insect called a Dot Moth (Melanchra persicariae).  A new species for me this and another 'tick' on the life list.  The caterpillar was feeding on our Poppy plant so may have a taste for the opiates found in the poppy's sap!

The adult moth itself is a rather dull affair being almost black with few distinguishing marks but for a spot on each wing, but the caterpillar is quite beautiful (although Malcolm didn't think so..!)