[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

We came across this creature at the stable yard today. We're not sure if it's a butterfly or a moth. We've never seen anything like it. It was having trouble walking & it couldn't unfold its wings. Would anyone happen to know what it is?

(Unfortunately I only had my little camera with me so the pics are not up to my normal standard)

[dentstudent]

hi doc - from the pics it looks like a cinnabar moth. Its a heathland moth, and is known for its weak flight. its colouration is to deter birds as it is highly distasteful. its main food is ragwort, which if i remember rightly is dangerous for horses, so could be a good idea to check your paddock.

[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

Thanks, Stuart. I just checked a pic of a cinnabar moth & that's definitely what it is. Apparently it's the most poisonous British moth.

I'm a bit concerned about the ragwort thing. We'll have to check all the fields now - 6 bloody acres!  [!]

I don't know how it got around this way, though, as there are no heathlands anywhere near.

[Karen W.]

We came across this creature at the stable yard today. We're not sure if it's a butterfly or a moth. We've never seen anything like it. It was having trouble walking & it couldn't unfold its wings. Would anyone happen to know what it is?

(Unfortunately I only had my little camera with me so the pics are not up to my normal standard)

I am glad that someone knew, it looked like a fake to me.. I have never seen one of those odd colors.. Interesting!

[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

Karen - yes, the colours are amazing.

[Karen W.]

I actually LOve hot pink and gray, but have never seen it in a creature or insect before!

You know there are just some colors you think are man made....but then you see something natural in nature that is the same color...as what you percieve to be an unnatural color. Do you know what I mean? Hot pink.. have you ever seen it in nature repeated .. you know, that hot pink color naturally occurring in nature somewhere else?

[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

There are certainly some very striking colours in nature - parrots, macaws, snakes, fish, tropical frogs & some plants, for instance - but I've never seen anything so vividly pink as that moth. The nearest I think I've seen was on a bird of paradise.

[Karen W.]

I agree I have not either.. A pink flamingo is pink but that is hot pink!.. very nice!

[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

I remember when I first saw Lake Nakuru in Kenya. There were so many flamingoes it was just a sea of pink.

[Karen W.]

WOW That is beautiful.. I love flamingos... They are spectacular.. LOL.. Reminds me of a movie I am trying to find.. "Ollie Hobnoodles Haven Of Bliss!" Great movie .. very funny done on the same lines as The christmas story! Same narrator I believe .. wonderful..
The Flamingo brought it all back! I have to find that movie I loved it!

[ukmicky]

Thats really pink that one ,they usally have red spots. Nice though

[kdlynn]

so you have a poisonous moth eating things that are poisonous to horses... good luck there...

[Karen W.]

I think the Ragwort is poison. also the moth too. There favorite food is this poison Ragwort if I understand Stuart correctly! It could be growing in the pastures.. Yikes..

[dentstudent]

Thanks, Stuart. I just checked a pic of a cinnabar moth & that's definitely what it is. Apparently it's the most poisonous British moth.

I'm a bit concerned about the ragwort thing. We'll have to check all the fields now - 6 bloody acres!  [!]

I don't know how it got around this way, though, as there are no heathlands anywhere near.

It also inhabits open areas, so perhaps it's not fully restricted to heathland sites.

If it's of any use, here is a DEFRA document on the control of ragwort:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/wildlife/weeds/pdf/cop_ragwort.pdf

[dentstudent]

I agree I have not either.. A pink flamingo is pink but that is hot pink!.. very nice!

Did you know that flamingos are this colour becuase of the beta-carotine in the shrimps they eat? This is the same stuff as is found in carrots. I wonder what colour they would be without it(flamingos, that is)? White, I suspect.....

[dentstudent]

I think the Ragwort is poison. also the moth too. There favorite food is this poison Ragwort if I understand Stuart correctly! It could be growing in the pastures.. Yikes..

When I was a teen, my girlfriend at the time had a horse at a stables, and a friends horse ate some ragwort. It died very soon after. I think it disables the liver? It wasn't pleasant anyway......

[Karen W.]

HOW SAD! poor horse.. Man it really must be some caustic stuff!

[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

I agree I have not either.. A pink flamingo is pink but that is hot pink!.. very nice!

Did you know that flamingos are this colour becuase of the beta-carotine in the shrimps they eat?

Yes

[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

HOW SAD! poor horse.. Man it really must be some caustic stuff!

Ragword is extremely poisonous to horses. However, if we've got cinnabar caterpillars around, they should keep the ragwort under control.

In any case, I've had a good look round for ragwort and I haven't found any.

[Karen W.]

I agree I have not either.. A pink flamingo is pink but that is hot pink!.. very nice!

Did you know that flamingos are this colour becuase of the beta-carotine in the shrimps they eat?

Yes

I did not know that!