While checking over the garden this week, we spotted something eye-catching — a striking mullein moth caterpillar nestled on one of the leaves of our buddleia bush.
With its bold yellow and black markings, this caterpillar is hard to miss. At first glance, it can seem like a cause for concern, but it’s actually a fascinating visitor and a great reminder of just how much life our gardens support.
🌿 What is the Mullein Moth Caterpillar?
The caterpillar stage of the mullein moth (Cucullia verbasci), this creature is known for feeding on mullein (Verbascum), buddleia, and sometimes even figwort or snapdragons. While their colours are vibrant, they’re not dangerous to handle — though their appetites can be impressive!
🐾 Should You Be Concerned?
If you only have a few caterpillars on your plant, there’s no need to worry — they’ll eventually pupate and move on. However, a large infestation can strip leaves quite quickly. In our case, there were just a few, so we’re choosing to observe rather than intervene. Nature’s balance often takes care of itself.
🌸 A Reminder of Garden Biodiversity
Spotting this caterpillar has been a great opportunity to talk with the kids about garden life cycles, and it’s a lovely example of how even a single plant like buddleia can become a miniature ecosystem of its own.
We’ll be keeping an eye on the plant to make sure it’s not overwhelmed, but for now, we’re happy to share a leaf or two with this bold little garden guest.