Common Ragwort

Sunday, July 28th 2013

Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is a poisonous plant and is removed from grazing areas to prevent stock eating it and becoming seriously ill.

Common Ragwort

However the Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae) caterpillar makes use of these poisons by absorbing them into their own bodies as they eat the flowers and leaves. This makes them unpalatable to predators. Hairs, black and yellow stripes around their bodies also deter predators.

Cinnabar moth caterpillars

When the caterpillars are ready to pupate they spin flimsy cocoons just under the surface of the soil and remain there over winter. From mid-May through to August the adult moth can be seen on the wing, flying by day and night.

Cinnabar Moth

Over 200 species of insects and other invertebrates can visit Common Ragwort for food, nectar and pollen. This Antler Moth can also be seen on thistles during warm sunny days.

Antelr Moth on Ragwort

Bees frequent the flowers feeding from the nectar and collecting the pollen.

Bee on Ragwort

Grace spotted this Meadow Brown butterfly feeding on the nectar. Judging by its bright colours it was newly hatched.

Meadow Brown butterfly

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