Sat. 31st March 2012.
The day started with me decorating at home, but then it seemed the only thing to do, [apart from stay in bed] as the weather had deteriorated
some what, from lovely sunny, cloudless days to a dreary, cold, and cloudy start to the weekend.
But ever the optimist, i decided [once i had finished decorating] to go back to where i went the day before [where i previously photographed a
female O.T.]. Hoping to find one or two Orange-Tips at rest.
I looked here, there and everywhere, mostly in desperation. Not an O.T. in sight, nor for that matter a butterfly of any description. Then something
very small caught my eye, a tiny black caterpillar, peaking out of the top of a enclosed Nettle leaf. The larva, probably a moth,[thanks Vince] was
about 10-12mm in length, and 1mm across its body.
I had some Nettles growing in pots at home, so i took the caterpillar with me. When i arrived back at my place i placed the larva on top of the potted Nettles,watched and waited. Then it did what i was hoping to see, as the following photos will depict.You will also find this larva has near identical survival/living habits to those of the Red Admiral, if not the same.
31.3.2012 moth larva 1.jpg
I had just placed the larva on the Nettle leaf, when off he went in search of a new home.
31.3.2012 moth larva 2.jpg
The larva is now inspecting the edge of the leaf, and finds it is exactly to his liking.
31.3.2012 moth larva 3.jpg
As you can see the larva has already started weaving its silken strands from the edge
of the leaf, pulling the edges very slightly over and inwards.
Will continue.