Incredible insects
Goat moth caterpillars are more visible on the reserve at the moment as they move from willow to willow or as the final stage caterpillars look for somewhere to bury themselves ready to pupate.
These large caterpillars are orange with a dark red (amlost black) section along the back and large pinscers which they use to munch through the willow. The wood is not easily digested so it takes the caterpillars five years to reach the point at which they can turn into a moth.