What on Earth...

[FromYorkshiretoBucks]

Decided my Swiss chard was a suitable place for a no2? I presume a mouse or rat. Anyway to distinguish? Also is that plant done for now? Or can it still be eaten after washing?

[Nicos]

Looks like caterpillar poop to me!

Still edible, just give it a good wash.

Cant see the growing point….is it still there?

[quanglewangle]

Think of all the times this has happened and then a rain shower has completely washed away the evidence.

[FromYorkshiretoBucks]

Caterpillar could be a good one, the plant next to it had been stripped, will have a look tomorrow

[Penellype]

My guess would be one of these:



This is a dot moth caterpillar - they come in green or brown, eat almost anything but really like chard, and produce copious quantities of large poos.

[FromYorkshiretoBucks]

Thanks Penellype.

any idea when / if they disappear for the winter?

[Snoop Puss]

Penellype, looks like you're our resident dot moth expert. I've just found a reply from you to Marb nigh on at the top of the first page of Google hits for dot moth and chard.

I had a look for info, as they look impressive moths. Looks like they overwinter underground, but carry on feeding till October. Great info and picture here:
https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/dot-moth

[Penellype]

Thanks Penellype.

any idea when / if they disappear for the winter?

I have a feeling I have found them during a mild winter. I seem to remember having a net cloche over some veg and seeing holes appear but no caterpillars, then finding several dot moth caterpillars hiding in the folds of the net.