Sent when ready from May. Once one of the commonest sights for those interested in lepidoptera (certainly during my own childhood) the Garden Tiger has sadly, suffered a catastrophic reduction in its distribution across the UK in the past couple of decades, possibly due to climate change. Fortunately, this species is very easy to rear in large numbers and is multi-brooded in warm conditions, allowing for several generations in the summer.
The hairy caterpillars, or, 'woolly bears' as they have become affectionately known, will eat almost any low growing plant or shrub, but are now less often seen hurtling along at breakneck speed across gardens, roads and pavements. Rear and release is one reason to rear this wonderful insect, but the incredible variations that occur naturally in the adult insect are also a constant fascination for the practical lepidopterist.
