Michael Viney responds to queries and observations on nature.
Recently in Dundrum bay I was able to pick out a porpoise pod of about five or six individuals with black backs arching through the water. Further out two large shapes lay just below the surface, but these lacked the protruding dorsal fin of basking sharks.
Eamonn McCrory, Co Down
The pod was more likely dolphins. Could the large shapes have been basking sharks, which allegedly sometimes sun their undersides?
I found a strange caterpillar on my wall. It was bright green with yellow dots, which seemed to have thorns or hairs protruding. It was 7cm long and 5cm wide, rather scary.
Winifred Crowley, Mallow, Co Cork
It sounds like the caterpillar of the emperor moth.
I saw a wasp hover over a spider wrapping a fly on his web outside my window. The spider retreated, to return moments later when the wasp had left. The wasp returned and the spider dropped to the ground. The wasp then released the fly and took it off.
George Nohilly, Greystones, Co Wicklow
• Send observations to Michael Viney, Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo; e-mail: viney@anu.ie (include a postal address)