I remember seeing that statement when I was scanning the web for info but I can't remember where i saw it Must admit at the time I thought it questionable, but being hell bent on getting an ID I didn't record the source . Will have to go back for another look. Watch this space. Guy. The Website is:...

Apologies for the late reply. Have been back to Wisley again this morning and took the kids swimming this afternoon. No demoleus or demodocus seen but another cyane/hypsea candidate, and new species which were: a few fresh Troides rhadamantus (Golden Birdwings), a single Danaus plexippus (Monarch) a...

Thanks for you replies Wurzel and Mark :) Your answers are the ones I was leaning towards, but it's hard to be certain on photos alone plus the various internet images can be unreliable. WRT the Malay lacewing, some images show a sub-species hypsina (C. hypsea hypsina) and their undersides look suff...

It's taken me some to work out correct identifications of the Cethosia species of butterflies at the annual Wisley butterflies event. Until fairly recently I'd accepted the spotter guide handout's name and picture of "Cethosia biblis Malay Lacewing" as being correct. However, Wurzel's post...

Thanks for all the great info on the Paper kite Wurzel :) . That name and Rice paper Butterfly seem more apt than Tree Nymph which is the label given to it at Wisley. I have seen this butterfly during courtship flight but haven't noticed it being attracted to the colour red :? . Also its slow flight...

Wisley have surpassed themselves this year with respect to the number of butterfly species they have had on display :D and probably the number of people that have been to see the exhibition :( :wink: . The event has been so popular they have extended it to 3rd of March, so for those who haven't been...

There's a lot of luck involved, with what can be photographed at Wisley. I was hoping for some open-wing Morphos but none obliged this year. That's very true what you say about the luck. That's why I make regular visits and I'm fortunate to be able to do so. I've come across less open winged morpho...

Interesting shot of the girl and tree nymph there Mike. You get all sorts of reactions to the butterflies from the kids. Most love them, some just want to scrunch them up and some will scream the place down if one lands on them :shock: . Nice set of pictures too. I particularly like the openwing fem...

Thanks for the trouble in trying to find out answers to my questions :) . The more I read this the more questions I seem to find. Firstly you say that the male helps the female break out, but how?. Butterflies don't have jaws and I can't imagine their limbs are strong enough to tear open a pupal ski...

Excellent report there Wurzel :) :!: . In the Wisley butterfly house they use feeding tables which are constantly stocked with artificial nectar (sugar solution?) so I wouldn't expect the butterflies to go on a feeding circuit, but I might be wrong :? . The pupal mating is amazing and raises some qu...

Second instalment:- My plans for a visit to the (local) Wisley Butterfly house were somewhat scuppered last Saturday as the small matter of my Daughter's 9th birthday took precedence :wink: . Still, a trip out to London wasn't too bad ..apart from the endless snaking around the crowds and countless ...

A very interesting discussion on the glasswing Wurzel, especially the reference to butterfly developing toxicity from a nectar source rather then the usual route of larvae accumulating the toxins from their foodplant. Does the female have this toxin too or only the males to use it for / convert it i...

Yes thanks Wurzel :) . I came to that conclusion too. Although I didn't get to see the upperside of biblis I noticed soon after posting that the white diagonal forewing flash on the underside of your specimen which is missing in mine. This was confirmed afer googling for images. That's the problem o...

Nice article and pictures Wurzel.
Your Cethosia cyane looks just like the picture of the butterfly I posted from Wisley's butterflies in a glasshouse (see below) last year listed Cethosia biblis I need to look into this.

Thanks Wurzel . I'm itching to get back there this weekend but it's my daughter Izzy's 9th on Saturday . A half-day off work is a safer option .

Just for info I've been twice already on Sunday the 13th and Saturday the 19th. Sunday was crowded but Saturday was far less so due to the weather putting poeple off. It's worth bearing that in mind if any of you are planning to go this weekend and its still snowing. However, check the website first...

That sports mode has been put to good use. Fantastic flight shot of the (juvenile) black-headed gull

Great review on the Browns Wurzel. :) Have to agree with your findings overall. Specklies:- no problem with numbers this year, but Gatekeepers were down in the sense you described for the Small Heath. I saw hardly any ‘False Hairstreaks’ during my quests for Brown Hairstreak at Bookham this August :...

That's a great report you are doing there Wurzel and having just read the Blues section I have to say I largely agree with your findings. Small Coppers and Common Blues definitely down, on the previous year, whilst Chalkhills at Denbies …an invasion of epic proportions would aptly describe their num...

07/09/12 With a reasonable prolonged spell of good weather I took the opportunity of getting back to Bookham Commons for the increasingly diminishing chance of seeing Brown Hairstreak (peak for Brostreak at BC's was last week in August I've been told). On Wednesday 5th, a good condition female was s...