www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

On this afternoon's Gardeners' World, when answering a question about a lichen-covered Salix, Bob Flowerdew said: "We didn't realise it till recently, but actually the lichens are quite a valuable food source for the caterpillars of some of our rarer butterflies".

I knew that some moth larvae were lichen feeders, but butterfly larvae too? This was news to me. Is it true?

Here's a link to the programme:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01m6crj
The question begins at 06:18 and Bob Flowerdew starts at: 08:48.

Paul

None of the British butterflies as far as I'm aware. I suspect he meant certain moth species (which do) such as the Tree-lichen Beauty and other Bryophilids.

Cheers,

- Pete