Butterflies and moths are emerging from over wintered pupae, caterpillars are feeding voraciously, while others are pupating – and that’s just inside the garden shed!
It’s not all plain sailing though, with many over wintered caterpillars having been parasitized.
A ‘healthy’ stock is building up of tachinid flies and ichneumon wasps that have exited the larvae of several species of butterfly and moth.
Even rearing a Meadow Brown caterpillar swept from grasses at night hasn’t been without drama.
The chrysalis pictured came away from a grass stem and had to be reattached with super glue (a little too much on this occasion!)
Normally this procedure is effective, if done carefully, so fingers crossed.
