Is this yellow fungus edible? Readers’ nature queries

This fungus was poking out of the forest floor like little fires in Saggart Woods. Is it edible? – Conal Brennan, Brittas, Co Dublin

It’s yellow staghorn, generally regarded as inedible because of its gelatinous texture.

I saw this interesting thing on a tree in Phoenix Park; what is it? – Fred Clarke (7), Montpelier, Dublin 7

That growth looks like crown gall which can grow very large. It's caused by bacteria in the soil.

College Green plaza to double in size under new plans

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BusConnects: Final plans for 16 Dublin bus corridors published

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Department refutes charge of forests as net greenhouse gas emitter

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We came across this big guy on the Bull Wall in Clontarf. It was about an inch long. What is it? – Saorlaith McLoughlin, Clontarf, Dublin 3

It’s a sea slater that lives on the sea shore.

We found this curious carcass at Renvyle Point, Co Galway last month. It was rather decayed but the teeth were intriguing. – Margaret Watchorn, Blackrock, Co Dublin

From counting the number of teeth, it’s most likely a common dolphin.

I spotted this bird on the east pier in Dún Laoghaire harbour. It's the first time I've seen it and it looks like a penguin. It also went under the water and disappeared. What is it and where do they live? – Nanci Martin, Sandyford, Dublin18

It’s a guillemot. They breed on coastal cliffs in summer and winter in harbours and bays.

I saw this caterpillar on the shore. What are the white bits on it? Are they bits of fluff from a nearby plant? – Robert Maxwell, Kinsale, Co Cork

That’s the caterpillar of the fox moth. The white bits are the larvae of a parasitic insect, probably those of an ichneumon wasp, that preys on the caterpillars of moths.

My partner, Fergal Rodgers, took a fascinating image of this stunning creature in our back garden. What is it? – Wendy O'Brien, Blackrock, Co Dublin

This is an ichneumon wasp which does not sting like the common wasp. It is a parasite on the caterpillars of moths.

Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, F28 F978 or by email at viney@anu.ie. Please include a postal address.