Garden Wildlife UK

Linda257 wrote: Tue Jul 29, 2025 9:50 am Nice find SM...I aint seen any caterpillars this year!!!

I see lots of these caterpillars but only on Ragwort. I think I have only see one other, an impressive Privet Hawk-moth caterpillar.

Jersey Tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria)

Photo taken: RSPB The Lodge Sandy, Bedfordshire https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/the-lodge


Jersey Tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria) by SnappyMac, on Flickr


Jersey Tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria) by SnappyMac, on Flickr

Species Information: Jersey Tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria)

It's a stunner

Good job getting the belly of the beast Snappy Not seen one yet this year, normally see 2 or 3 so fingers crossed

SnappyMac wrote: Tue Jul 29, 2025 10:43 am

Linda257 wrote: Tue Jul 29, 2025 9:50 am Nice find SM...I aint seen any caterpillars this year!!!

I see lots of these caterpillars but only on Ragwort. I think I have only see one other, an impressive Privet Hawk-moth caterpillar.

They are a Common Ragwort specialist but if they run out will eat other ragworts, groundsels or each other if hungry enough

Cin

PimperneBloke wrote: Tue Jul 29, 2025 2:50 pm Good job getting the belly of the beast Snappy Not seen one yet this year, normally see 2 or 3 so fingers crossed

Thanks PB I have seen a couple in the last week, so hope you see some soon.

Germain wrote: Tue Jul 29, 2025 3:40 pm They are a Common Ragwort specialist but if they run out will eat other ragworts, groundsels or each other if hungry enough

They have loads of ragwort to work through, so hopefully they won't get that desperate

I have two ragworts in my garden. Every year they get Cinnabar caterpillars and every year they get eaten by birds.

Jacksparrow wrote: Tue Jul 29, 2025 7:32 pm I have two ragworts in my garden. Every year they get Cinnabar caterpillars and every year they get eaten by birds.

I always think they are quite well camouflaged for the plant. Sounds like not well enough...

Jersey Tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria)

Photo taken: RSPB The Lodge Sandy, Bedfordshire https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/the-lodge


Jersey Tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria) by SnappyMac, on Flickr


Jersey Tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria) by SnappyMac, on Flickr


Jersey Tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria) by SnappyMac, on Flickr

Species Information: https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/jersey-tiger