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Gray squirrels are nice to observe, however is the hearsay true that they don’t hibernate? If not, why? – Edward Barr, Dublin
You shouldn’t take heed to rumours. Squirrels each crimson and gray acquire and retailer nuts in early autumn to eat over the winter as they don’t hibernate and can want these shops of meals. Hedgehogs and bats, each of that are carnivores, do hibernate as there isn’t a meals obtainable for them over winter. They will decelerate their metabolic price in order that they survive on saved fats of their our bodies. Squirrels can not do that.
I noticed this caterpillar in Moreland’s Meadow, the place it was nicely hidden among the many grass … I assumed it was a burr till it moved! What it’s? – Paul Aiken, Belfast
It’s most probably the caterpillar of the ruby tiger moth, which feeds on quite a lot of vegetation (together with some grasses) and seems presently of 12 months. It may probably be a buff ermine both, however the ruby tiger caterpillars have black heads.
This little ladybird landed on a plastic plate outdoors just lately. Google Lens signifies it’s an ash gray ladybird. Are you able to determine it please? Is it a child ladybird with out pigment? It was about 5mm throughout. – Niall O’Carroll, Co Kerry
Ash gray ladybirds are indigenous to North America and don’t happen in Eire. This infant is a 10-spot ladybird that has overwintered as an grownup and now emerged to feast on aphids in your backyard. We have now 19 native species of ladybirds.
I noticed these tiny ants scurrying up and down willow – loads of effort for what? I wrote to Michael Viney about this phenomenon Could 2, 2021. He mentioned they’re after sap, however I don’t see sap on provide. – Paul Dunne, Co Galway
Ah, however you aren’t an ant! Ants feed on candy sap and on honeydew excreted by aphids to offer them the power they want. Willows include candy sap and the ants are amassing what small quantities seep via the bark. That is what Michael was referring to.
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