A larva hibernating in a stem scar, taken yesterday.
Interesting to record that five hibernating wild larvae moved position during a very mild (and horribly wet) December. In the four previous winters I only recorded three movements in hibernation, two by the same larva. So it looks as though they're not hibernating 'properly' at present...
Also, three wild larvae have shrivelled up and died. One had been feeding on a severely chlorotic sallow and I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did. Only two larvae shrivelled up and died in the wild during the previous four winters (out of a sample size of 80), though it is not unusual in captivity.
Conclusion: We need Winter...
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