A Ranger writes - the colourful, but toxic cinnabar moth

Survival is a big deal for animals, if you don’t mind me stating the obvious. Threats come in various forms – not least the presence of predators. So how best to avoid things that might see you as lunch? Some species will take the approach of using camouflage – if a predator can’t see you, it can’t eat you. Others might have some form of physical defence, such as a hard shell or exoskeleton.

One method adopted by several invertebrate species is to use their markings and colouration as deterrents against predation. Peacock butterflies feature large colourful circular patterns on their wings, which resemble eyes. These are thought to confuse and intimidate the butterfly’s predators, mostly small birds such as blue tits, allowing the peacock the chance to escape.

Some species have a seemingly counter-intuitive approach, adopting bright colours, often in a combination of yellow, red and black. Whilst this makes the individual fairly easy to spot, it acts as a warning to predators that it has some form of built in defence (think bees and wasps, equipped as they are with stings). The cinnabar moth also follows this type of colouration, but, in this case, it is to warn predators that the moth is toxic.

The cinnabar’s larval form is a bright yellow and black caterpillar, which can be seen in coastal grasslands throughout the county. It is almost always found on common ragwort plants, since this forms the main food plant of the caterpillar. Ragwort contains alkaloid toxins, which makes it dangerous to grazing animals, but has no detrimental effects on the caterpillars. On the contrary, they are able to absorb the toxins, thereby making themselves unpalatable and poisonous to most predators. The caterpillars are voracious eaters and can quickly strip ragwort plants of all their leaves. If their food becomes too scarce, things can get a bit gruesome – cinnabar caterpillars have been known to turn to a spot of light cannibalism to get by.

The adult moths fly by both day and night, which makes them a whole lot easy to see than many other moth species. In the adult colouration, the yellow of the caterpillar is replaced by red, but the warning remains the same, since the toxins persist into the adult stage. It’s a very good-looking moth, with mainly black forewings with striking red stripes and spots, whilst the hindwings are bright red with black borders. The stripes on the wings help to distinguish it from the burnet moths, which are also red and black and spotted.

The moth’s name is derived from the bright red mineral cinnabar, an ore of mercury, which, coincidentally, is itself highly poisonous. The species’ scientific name, Tyria jacobaeae, shows the moth’s close relationship with ragwort (Senecio jacobaeae). The close link between moth and plant can be problematic. The poisonous nature of ragwort means that it often requires control measures where livestock grazes. However, in the wider countryside, it poses no real danger and its value to the cinnabar moth and other insects makes it an important part of grassland habitats.

Amenities teams showcase local pride

Our amenities teams in Dunbar, Haddington and North Berwick have been adding colour and creativity to local green spaces this summer.

RNLI tribute takes shape in Dunbar

The banking below Dunbar Leisure Pool was given an artistic makeover to mark the town's RNLI Lifeboat Day on 11 July.

John Ward, Team Leader for our amenities team in Dunbar, came up with the colourful idea. Using paint normally used to mark pitches, John created the RNLI logo on the grass. The temporary artwork will fade naturally without damaging the grass.

'Our Dunbar' blooms on Belhaven Road

Our Dunbar is the theme for this year's carpet bedding display on Belhaven Road, designed and planted by our amenities team in Dunbar.

A mix of colourful bedding plants and succulents creates the striking design. The letters spelling 'DUNBAR' stand out in contrasting plants, while a decorative 'D' logo completes the display.

The use of succulents not only creates an eye-catching display but also provides low-maintenance planting suited to a sunny location.

Telephone tribute takes root in Haddington

In Haddington, this year's carpet bed celebrates 'Communication', a theme chosen by Blooming Haddington in collaboration with our amenities team in Haddington.

The display recognises the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell, one of the world's most significant advances in communication. Specially selected plants have been used to create the detailed patterns and lettering, with many grown in our nursery in Prestonpans.

Capability Scotland celebrated in North Berwick

A striking floral display in North Berwick's Lodge Grounds marks the 80th anniversary of Capability Scotland.

Created by our amenities team in North Berwick, the carpet bed features the charity's logo and celebrates its eight decades of supporting disabled people across Scotland.

The design was created by Depot Manager Johnn Stevens, who wanted to recognise the milestone anniversary through the town's long-standing carpet bedding tradition.

Preparing for judging

East Lothian is unique in Scotland, and possibly the UK, in having three carpet beds with a different theme each year.

All three displays will be presented to visiting judges in August. North Berwick and Haddington are representing Scotland in Britain in Bloom, while Dunbar is one of three East Lothian communities competing in Beautiful Scotland.