Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar

The Cinnabar Moth was introduced into New Zealand, Australia and North America to control poisonous ragwort, on which its larvae feed. The moth is named after the red mineral cinnabar because of the red patches on its predominantly black wings. This photo shows it in its caterpillar stage, where it is orange and black striped.

The Caterpillar has done a tremendous job in keeping the ragwort population down, although this year there don't seem to be as many moths/caterpillars. This, I think, is due to the very wet spring we had last year.

Hope you all had a great New Year's Eve - and aren't suffering too much today!