Despite its reputation as being a risk to cattle and horses, ragwort and its close relative the common garden weed grounsel, are important food sources for a number of insects including the caterpillar of the cinnabar moth.

In fact the cinnabar moth utilises the alkaloid poisons contained in these plants to gain protection from birds by making themselves unpleasant to eat. The poisons are absorbed by the caterpillars and passed on via the chrysalis to the adult.

Common in Southern England and Wales, the cinnabar moth is more localised in the north (where these pictures were taken). The adult moth is on the wing in late spring and early summer.

The name 'cinnabar' comes for the bright red wing markings of the adult moths which are the colour of the pigment mercuric sulphide also known as vermilion or cinnabar.