August 9, 2025
Look who came to the nettles by the compost bin in early August.
It’s a death’s head hawkmoth caterpillar. Never seen one of those before. Once this one has pupated and emerged as a moth, it will be a member of the largest moth species in the British Isles, with a 12cm wingspan. And yes, the adult moth has some creepy markings underneath its head, looking like a you-know-what. (Hint – the clue is in the name. Like a pirate flag.)
I wonder who will visit the field next.