REGARDING the ragwort crisis (Letters, August 21), has the debate continues has anybody considered using Nature to eradicate the problem?

The beautiful red and black Cinnabar moth, one of the few daytime flying species, lays its eggs on the ragwort plant. As the caterpillars can absorb the alkaloid poisons from ragwort, they are inedible to most insect-eating birds and mammals and, as such, have no natural predators.

The moth itself is said to be the most poisonous in Britain.

The orange and black striped caterpillars have a voracious appetite and quickly strip the leaves from the plants in a particular area, only to wander hopelessly looking for more food.

The next time you are walking and see a solitary ragwort covered in Cinnabar caterpillars, simply uproot it, pop it into a bag and introduce it into a field where other ragworts are growing.

The problem will not go away immediately, but as colonies of Cinnabars establish themselves, it will eventually be controlled.

Incidentally, you will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you will be partly responsible for the propagation of the lovely, day flying, red and black moths in your area.

M GOLDER (Mrs), Hampden Fold, Grimshaw Street, Darwen.