Bill The Cat

By billthecat

Ragwort and Cinnabars

I was out walking down by the Forth this evening listening to a podcast talking about outdoorsy stuff in Scotland, I know, rock 'n' roll eh? 
At one point they were talking about the distinctive Cinnabar moth, black with red spots. It feeds on poisonous ragwort and they use that toxicity as part of their defence against birds who know to avoid them.
The next thing I see is this head of ragwort being guzzled on by cinnabar moth caterpillars which are orange and black. Nice coincidence.
The extra is of the sun sinking over the mudflats and Grangemouth refinery.
p.s. If you live in some far-flung corner of the world, have Scots origins and pine for the heather and the glens, give the Scotland Outdoors podcast a shot. It's not just for odd old middle-aged blokes!

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