Church Garden

This yellow flower is Ragwort.

It gets bad press because it's believed to be toxic to horses and cattle. I don't know the exact science but I think that if large quantities are present in hay, feeding it to hungry animals in winter could cause problems.

However it is a valuable form of nectar supports a considerable number of species. This little caterpillar is one of those which relies on it.

I'm taking the presence of Ragwort and one Cinnabar Moth caterpillar as a small win in our efforts for wildlife in the church garden. While I may have been absent nature kept doing it's thing.

Jean  

Update.
After growing and getting fatter for ten days on the little Ragwort plant the caterpillar disappeared.
So what happens next?
Assuming his bright camouflage has deterred any predators he will have made his way down the stem and burrowed into the ground. There he will spend the winter before emerging as a Cinnabar moth in late Spring the following year to mate, lay eggs and continue the cycle.
I hope he or even she is the first of many.

Internet picture of a Cinnabar Moth