What’s this slithering mass of caterpillars? Readers’ nature queries

Could you explain this slithering mass of black caterpillars that I saw on a nettle in mid-June in my garden? – Laurence Speight, Derrygonnelly, Co Fermanagh
They are the caterpillars of the peacock butterfly. The butterflies should appear by the end of the month.

In Wicklow I was lucky to see and take photos of a cuckoo feeding and flying off with a caterpillar. – Liam Kane, Blanchardstown, Dublin
It was feeding up for the long flight to Africa.

I saw this fly, which I think is a damselfly, when walking near Melmore Head in Co Donegal. – Claire McAneny, Rosguill, Co Donegal
It is the male, common blue damselfly. The female is green and black.

This photo of a large (80mm) dragonfly was taken on the bog. – Mike Egan, Ballivor, Co Meath
It is the four-spotted chaser. It could be either sex; later the female turns light blue.

Business as usual in Dublin car wash despite hosepipe ban

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‘Extreme danger’ red warning for forest fires in place until Friday

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Drought warning in place with temperatures to hit 28 degrees

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Ireland’s hosepipe ban: Everything you need to know

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We live on the shore of Lough Swilly on the Inishowen Peninsula. On many wonderful explorations of the beach I've noticed semicircular, rubbery things and wondered what they are. – Sarah Maguire, Buncrana, Co Donegal
They are the collar-shaped egg mass of the moon or necklace marine snail, Euspira catena.

I noticed a green-backed spider hanging out in our mint. – Jim Callan, Tallaght, Dublin
It is the cucumber green orb spider, Araniella cucurbtina. It hides under leaves to spin its web. 

[ viney@anu.ie ]