It is hairy caterpillar time

This was just after a similar picture and question from Mike Firth, of Active8 magazine.

Well, I get a lot of questions about this one and especially at this time of year.

It is a vapourer moth and the stunning hairs and markings are defensive to put off predators.

They also probably help ward off parasitic wasps that would otherwise lay their eggs on the caterpillars.

This is a little like the film Alien, but in miniature – they eat the caterpillars alive from the inside.

The female moth is flightless and releases pheromones to attract males over long distances - hence the name, vapourer.

The larvae feed on all sorts of trees and are quite common and very obvious.

However, the hairs of these sorts of caterpillars can be released like mini harpoons and may be very irritating if you are susceptible.

Some of the related ‘processionary moths’ are actually quite dangerous as they do this en masse.

Prof Ian D Rotherham, a researcher, writer and broadcaster on wildlife and environmental issues, is contactable on [email protected] or follow his Walk on the Wildside blog at ukeconet.org for more information.