Common Ragwort
(also known as Stinking Willie) is a native biennial plant which often
grows naturally on uncultivated land. The problem with Common Ragwort is, it is
toxic and if left unchecked can seed
through large areas. Ragwort is poisonous to livestock especially horses but
fortunately most mammals are aware of its toxicity and avoid eating the
plant. Ragwort is very distinctive with finely divided deep cut
toothed leaves and large flat-topped clusters of yellow daisy-like flowers. It
flowers from July to October and is a good late nectar source for hungry
insects.
Despite
its hazards many species depend on Ragwort and live their entire life cycle on the plant. Therefore, Holkham National Nature
Reserve takes a balanced approach. Ragwort does need controlling
but not eradicating and we take all reasonable action to do this on the nature
reserve.
Ragwort will quickly take over a field if it isn't controlled.
Wildlife
Cinnabar
Moth Caterpillar
Ragwort
(mainly common ragwort) is the sole food plant for the golden and
black banded caterpillar of the Cinnabar moth. The caterpillars feed
from July to September and act as a biological control by eating the
whole plant. The poison from the ragwort leaves is stored in the caterpillar's
body. The bold colours and patterns are a warning to birds and other
predators that they are extremely unpleasant to eat.
These caterpillars are both eye
catching and alarming at the
same time!
Bumblebees
Bumblebees
are a familiar sight during hot summer days with their characteristic
behaviour and distinctive buzzing
sound. Sadly, bumblebees are in massive
decline due to the reduction and removal of hay meadows and
hedgerows from the British landscape. Ragwort flowers are an important source
of food for many bees. These include the obvious Red-tail Bumblebee,
the bird box dwelling Tree Bumblebees and the distinctively ginger
Common Carder Bee.
A Common Carder Bumblebee
(unfortunately not on a Ragwort flower!).
Forester Moth
This
exquisitely coloured metallic-green and remarkably well camouflaged
moth is a UKBAP species. It is thought to of been named after the
"Lincoln Green" worn by the foresters in Sherwood Forest. The
species is in decline but can be found locally in the coastal marshes and around
damp meadows. We found this fellow while ragwort pulling on the Fort. It just
goes to show the diversity of species that can be found on ragwort.
A lucky find!
Cockchafer Grub
Possibly
the most unluckily named insect out there, it is also
known as the Maybug though it's not a bug, these large
beetles actually belong to the scarab family. The harmless beetle
is a distinctive brown colour with characteristic fan like
antennae. Cockchafers spend most of their lives (three to four years)
underground as larvae. The larvae (which are called Rook Worms) are fat,
creamy-white grubs with brown heads that feed on the root systems of ragwort.
In turn these grubs are fed upon by badgers, owls and bats!
Both adults and grubs are considered
a delicacy and are still eaten in some
countries.
Jonathan Holt
Warden