Caterpillars - Pale Tussock Proves Environmental Credentials
Often in the gardens we come across a new animal or insect that we find challenging to identify straightaway. In 2009 Carl, one of the gardening team, came across a very curious looking caterpillar near one of the rose beds adjacent to herb garden.
(Carl with the Pale Tussock Moth)
One of the magical things of such a find is the research required to correctly identify our new furry caterpillar friend. After much searching of relevant books and surfing the internet we can name our new friend the 'Pale Tussock.' Its an amazing looking caterpillar, with a pink like tale and yellow and stripped head proudly showing off three mohican like tufts on his head (move over David Beckham). The strange 'mohican' tufts that cover his head have evolved as a method of dissuading bird predators from attack. - very distinctive as you can see below.
(close up)
It loves shrubs and trees as a natural habitat which explains why Carl found him in the herb garden area. The Pale Tussock also prospers in areas not covered in horrible pesticides and insecticides... so he has found a good home at the Abbey House Gardens!
He's probably drawn to a spot near to the roses as that area is particularly nutritious ... all the roses adjacent to our stew pond are hand fed by the bucket load with the recycled water from the fish (such as the Coi Carp) as part of the filtration process. Its packed with good stuff like nitrogen that help to keep the roses so strong and colourful.
Nature at its best, with one species helping to support the growth of another.