Dagger Moths

Acronicta psi, otherwise known as the Grey Dagger Moth, is a distinctive medium-sized insect found across the Northern hemisphere. They're called Dagger Moths after the black markings on the front wings.

The caterpillars are vividly coloured, covered in white and black hairs. Grey Dagger caterpillars feed on the leaves of deciduous trees, such as Birch, Apple, Blackthorn and Hawthorn. They're not considered serious garden pests.

Most often, Grey Dagger Moths are found in woodland or habitats containing abundant food. This means that sometimes they'll end up in gardens and hedgerows.  I found this caterpillar in the garden in Shrewsbury on a Beech leaf.  The flowers on the mint attracted many bees. 

Cambridge

I did not venture into town until midday to  source some oil to treat my deep burn to my wrist that I sustained a week ago.  Many people were enjoying the sunshine and a long trail of tourist were being led along the narrow streets.   The light was harsh and not the best for photographs.

Grantchester Cambridge

Tranquil Grantchester is a quaint village with many thatched cottages beside the River Cam and a popular place to visit.  It has medieval Church, and several pubs and the last time I counted I made it seven.  There is even a Gin distillery.

It’s known for the Orchard Tea Garden that is open all the year round, a place frequented by the 1900s Bloomsbury Group and former village resident, poet Rupert Brooke. I met some friends there and we decided the green deck-chairs in the orchard were not that comfortable. Currently the village is used as a film set for the British ITV detective drama called "Grantchester" set in the 1950s.  One of the houses next to the church has been named "the Vicarage" and is decorated in plastic wisteria and plastic hedge foliage, ot exactly in keeping with the village and the expensive houses.  The real vicarage is owned by Geoffrey and Mary Archer.