It's eagerness to fly is probably linked to the fact that it is unlikely to be eaten by predators - its bright colours are a warning of poisonous and distasteful chemicals inside its body...
We are now positively awash with Jersey Tiger moths, Euplagia quadripunctaria. Named for its abundance on one particular of the Channel Islands, it had been well established in South Devon and apparently spreading along the coast into Dorset, Hampshire and Sussex when it first appeared in London around 2005.
I've now given up noting when I see it, since this is inevitably many times a day. A flash of orange - no it's not a painted lady, it's the tiger. It's not a true day-flying moth, since it does not flit from flower to flower like a butterfly. But it flies readily if disturbed from its not-very-camouflaged position on a leaf, wall, fence, window, car, no-parking sign, bollard or brightly coloured plastic bin full of winter salt/grit mix.
It's eagerness to fly is probably linked to the fact that it is unlikely to be eaten by predators - its bright colours are a warning of poisonous and distasteful chemicals inside its body. So it takes to the wing without a care and dashes brazenly about to a new roost.
That it is now very common in South London can be seen from the comments following the first time I mentioned it on the blog, in 2007. And when BBC Jersey put up an item about it recently it was another group of south Londoners who again reported how widespread it is here.
A few days ago I was startled to see what might have been a six-pointed star-fish adhering to the outside of the bathroom window. I scooped it up in a plastic dish and, yes, it was another mating pair. I've yet to see the spiky black orange and white caterpillars, but I expect them to be around shortly.
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