Its always quite controversial discussing cats, particularly on an RSPB blog but these cats really are more than welcome on our Nature reserves in Weymouth.
You might be able to remember; few months ago I wrote about a rare moth that I trapped at RSPB Radipole Lake, a Small Eggar. This was a superb looking creature but last night trapping proved that some of the commoner species on the reserve can look absolutely spiffing!
Firstly, here’s a Puss Moth (pictured below). This species was my first ever introduction to moths back in 1995 when my YOC (as it used to called) group leader brought me a large caterpillar he found. I looked after it for ages, feeding it everyday and cleaning outs its little tank until it turn into a chrysalis and eventually hatched out into one of these incredible creatures.
This moth is a close relative though not as big. It’s much more common and we catch it regularly in our moths traps at Radipole. It’s a Sallow Kitten (picture below). As the name suggests, its larvae feed on sallow which is abundant at Radipole hence why this moth is doing well. Conservation really is quite simple. Provide the habitat and the wildlife will thrive.