The larvae of The Wormwood Cucullia absinthii are present now on Mugwort. John Chainey has supplied the picture of the larva below and reports having found it last weekend in the Royston and Ashwell areas.
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It is a distinctive larva (up to about 40mm long) but very well disguised sitting on the flowers of Mugwort. Mugwort is a common weed on waste ground and verges and is widely distributed in Hertfordshire. It is up to a metre tall with divided silvery green foliage and rather insignificant flowers.
The adult is not often recorded, I have seen 2 in the last 11 years in Hertfordshire, but maybe we can add some squares to its distribution map with larval records. Please send details of any you find to Colin Plant.