Every Sunday there is also a new episode of the Stuifmail podcast. Listen to the podcast here:
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Special caterpillar in Cape Verde, which one is it?
Marlies Schetters came across a caterpillar during her holiday in Cape Verde. She wanted to know which caterpillar it was. I’ve seen a caterpillar like this before and I remember having to look around to find out what kind of caterpillar it is. This caterpillar is a special specimen of the moth of the pintail family called oleander pintail. You don’t often encounter the caterpillar in the final stage. Although this is rare in our country, you can encounter the more common caterpillar form.
In Cape Verde the oleander pintail is a common sight, but in our country the butterfly is still known as a rare migratory butterfly. However, that has changed, because since 2018 several caterpillars have been found in North Brabant and Zeeland. From that year onwards, caterpillars or butterflies are seen almost every year. That’s why the photo of the butterfly below, who knows, you might come across it yourself again.
And what kind of caterpillar is this?
Tiny van de Sande also came across a strange caterpillar in her shed. This is a caterpillar of the moth psi-owl. The caterpillar in the photo has a yellow stripe, black spots and lots of hair. Caterpillars of this butterfly can be found on deciduous trees and shrubs, such as willow, hazel and hawthorn. The adult moths prefer sandy soils and so you can often encounter them in Brabant. Psi owls have distinctly shaped black trident arrows on their forewings. These butterflies owe the name psi owls to that arrow, because it looks very much like the 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet: psi.
Which bird does this nest belong to?
Sjef Eldering sent me some photos from the De Mortelen nature reserve in Oirschot. In one of the photos you see a nest and Sjef is curious to know which bird this belongs to. I think we are dealing with a robin’s nest here. These birds always make nests in a kind of triangular shape and with a point downwards. In our country, female robins breed at least twice a year, but nowadays even three times. They therefore have to build nests three times a year. Sometimes they repair an old nest.
And the males? They mainly sing, but they often also bring building materials. The singing continues while the female lays and hatches the eggs. The parents then work hard to feed the young birds, even after they leave the nest. They do this until a few days after fledging and then the young are on their own.
Beautiful photos section
This time a photo of a female spider with a spun cocoon. It is a wasp spider. The lady sits by the cocoon as a kind of guardian until she dies.
Nature tip: Winter walk Odiliapeel
Sunday, January 12 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m
Long walk Odiliapeel – Venhorst – Odiliapeel
It will be a walk of about 12 kilometers. We start in the village of Odiliapeel, which used to be called Terraveen. We walk through the woods and on dirt roads to the Voskuilenheuvel in Venhorst. This village also once had a different name. We walk through young peel mines, past bunkers from the Second World War, fish ponds and through new nature. Halfway through we take a break at De Noordkant campsite.
More information:
• Departure point: church Oudedijk 43 5409 AB Odiliapeel
• Participation is free (refreshments during the break are not included).
• The route is not suitable for wheelchairs, strollers and people with mobility problems.
• Wear waterproof shoes.
• Dogs are not allowed.
• Read more here information.
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An insect that looks like a drone and yellow jelly on a branch, Frans explains