On Friday October 15th our rogue Emperor larva in Savernake was at last fully grown, having changed into the final instar around Sept 23rd-24th. They often take that long in the fifth instar during cool, wet Mays, and this one really has behaved like a normal Emperor larva feeding up in a poor-weather May (albeit on yellowing foliage infected by Willow Rust). Here it is -
I think it's female. It has two options: try to pupate or try to hibernate (green). Of course, everyone thinks it's doomed but my motto is Eruca Numquam Minoris Aestomate which is Bad Latin for Never Underestimate a Caterpillar.
The weather is turning into wet and windy, after a dry and clement first half of the autumn.
A few 3rd instar larvae are just starting to colour up, prior to hibernation. They're actually running on a little on the late side.
Also late is the Dangle Leaf Season (the best time to look for PE larvae). A few dangles are showing, especially on narrow-leaved sallows but most of the undroughted sallows are still very green indeed - suggesting that the Dangle Leaf Season is some way off.
Watch this space...
No comments:
Post a Comment