It might sound like a gardener's worst nightmare – but 'very hungry caterpillars' should be left to feast on plants this spring, conservationists say. Experts are warning that moths, which caterpillars grow into, have seen their numbers plummet by a third since the 1960s. 'Very hungry caterpillars' should be left to feast on plants this spring, conservationists say, as moth numbers have plummeted. Pictured: An elephant hawk moth caterpillarWhile some moth caterpillars feed on a range of plants, others are pickier eaters feeding on just one or a handful of species. Our gardens and balconies can be a haven for both flying adults and their hungry caterpillars.

Source: Daily Mail March 04, 2026 10:24 UTC