"La Puce" wrote in message
ups.com...
On 7 Jul, 12:49, "David \(Normandy\)"
wrote:
Just had a closer look and they all seem to have vacated the premises!
They were definitely the mullen moth caterpillars though - I googled them
as
suggested and they look exactly as I remember them. Another small (first
year) one was growing in the veg plot a few weeks ago and it was
absolutely
writhing with them. As it was next to lots of veggies I pulled it up and
put
it in the compost. In retrospect I could perhaps have left it if the
caterpillars are specialised feeders of that plant alone. I'll know next
time and just leave them to it.

Just vigorously rake the whole thing ... it's 'orrible. You can borrow
my father in law for the job ;o)


I must admit it lacks the charm it did last year as a small rosette of
silvery leaves, or the charm of it's smaller kin which seem to have more
flowers and look less tatty. I'd not seen one before when weeding so rather
than composting it, was curious see what it became.

Did you ever see "The little shop of horrors" - It'd be my luck to end up
with something like that. I guess cats wouldn't be a problem though, nor
would any passing Jehovah's Witnesses ;-) "Feed me - Feed me!"

David.