Peacock

Butterfly caterpillars, that is, not the bird.
3 large clumps on nettle, found on walkies this morning.
Tomorrow they will probably have dispersed but I'll collect about 5 to bring home and add to my nursery.
One year we raised and released over 500 - won't do THAT again!
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[Beryl Lloyd]

What a wonderful find! and to take a few home is ingenious!

[KoalaGardens🐨]

oooh good find

[Fisher Family]

That is an impressively large collection of caterpillars. I've never seen then in a mass like that.

Ian

[Jesika]

@fishers one of three! The eggs are laid close together and the caterpillars are very sociable when they hatch. These are 4th instar judging by size, which means they will soon disperse to pupate. Unfortunately the nettles are quite close to the path, can only hope they escape the cutter man.🤞5 are now safe in the nursery.

[Fisher Family]

@jesika2

Good to know that you are there to save at least some of them!

Ian

[Jesika]

@fishers Only 1-2% of all lepidoptera survive to imago (adult) stage. Their enemies are many, but they are low on the food chain.