Out of Hibernation & Starting to Feed

Emperor larva are coming out of hibernation. Some are starting to feed. They are not particularly late and are actually  a week ahead of where they were in 2013, when March was even colder, and feeding didn't start until 23rd April. In 2015 feeding commenced on 15th April, in 2010 and 2012 it commenced on the 18th.

Here's one from Savernake yesterday, the 14th, who has already started to feed (note damage to outer leaf of swelling leaf bud):

And here's Sav No 13, who I'm desperately trying not to call Stumpy. He lost most of one of his horns in mysterious circumstances late last September, but carried on regardless. It will be interesting to see how he looks once he changes to the 4th instar, around May Day. He too has jumped the gun and has fed from a swelling bud:

The really good news is that this winter's predation rate was only 25%, albeit from a small sample. This is the lowest predation rate in hibernation I've recorded in nine year's of following larvae in the wild. It suggests that this could be a very good Emperor season, weather permitting.

So, do what I've just done and ditch your job (I've retired, early - had enough...) and cast yourself into the Purple Sea... There is no alternative...