Scarlet Fever

 

It's too cold at night for me to trap just now, but it was good to find this portent of a Scarlet Summer on a neighbour's comfrey.  She was understandably concerned about the caterpillars' tremendous appetite, but we agreed that a fine brood of Scarlet Tigers will be worth the sacrifice. The moth always does very well round here and its daytime flying often attracts attention and questions - a welcome chance to show that not all UK moths are small, hairy and drab.  Martin Wainwright, Thrupp, Oxon