Thanks Wurzel. It was worth the wait although at one point I was beginning to wonder whether they were just added to help fill out the brochure. As it's the only representative from pieridae, it adds a nice different splash of colour :) . It would like to know why this particular species is chosen f...

Wonder if they get hangovers? I was getting second thought as to whether they actually do get drunk (insect physiology being different to vertebrate) so I googled it and found a website which said they did and then they proceded to describe it as: "wasps feed on rotten fruit a lot and afterwar...

Despite three visits already the lure of another visit to the Wisley glasshouse was too strong to resist and cost me half a days annual leave. On the way over I bumped into Mark Colvin (or perhaps the other way around) and we stopped and enthused about butterflies, butterfly houses in general and ge...

Philzoid, those images are first class. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for the compliment David :) . It was a particularly good morning last Saturday. Thought I'd let you know that I have used the blowing technique to get the open wing (works with Kallima ... a little gentle but sustained 'blast' just ...

Although I might've said I wouldn't be posting again the butterflies at Wisley are proving ot be a nice filler for beating the winter blues. Last week was my third visit in as many weeks and was arguably the best :) I Arrived at 10:00 in the morning, this time with my daughters in attendance, each o...

I have just seen your posting John and feel compelled to respond (or put my foot in it ...whatever). To deal with your points first on a pragmatic level:- Are they good for the individual insects? Maybe, depends on what you mean by 'good' From what I have seen many of the insects go on to live 'norm...

Thanks for the ID Mark I've been looking on the internet for more clarity on H. bolina. It can be named "Common" or "Great" so that answers my question as to whether they were different species. The Wikipedia example shows a picture of a female which looks like the initial one I ...

This is a female Diadem or Great Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina). I'll see what I can do with the Leafwing. Thanks Mark. I posted on the Identification board to avoid deflecting attention away from your last post on this board which I thought merited a serious response and not a who's who of butterfly I...

Like Vince I visited Wisley last week as a guest of Mark and enjoyed 5 hours of butterfly bliss - Excellent pictures Colin and a 5 hour stint ... impressive :o . What I was surpirsed to see was the Giant Orange Tip Hebomoia glaucippe :mrgreen: , which is always on the brochure but never seen it see...

As mentioned on my post on the Wisley Butterflies in the Glasshouse thread on the field trips and events board, some of the swallowtail butterflies proved difficult to identify. This issue was commented upon by both Guy and Mark in relation to the great variation displayed by the Asian Swallowtail a...

This is one of the ones you think you've not seen, the African Swallowtail (Papilio dardanus). Thanks Mark. It crossed my mind after I'd posted that it might be that species ..honestly :wink: .. was in too much of a hurry to get it posted after numerous aborted attempts due to IE crashing (and (see...

Thought I'd add some of my pictures taken last Sunday 22nd and a few more to show some of the species that weren't present this year. First of all if anyone is thinking of going on the weekend, prepare to wait for around 45 minutes to get in. Crowds seem to me to be bigger than last year (see Mike's...

Philzoid wrote: January sightings

Should read Field trips and events board .... I'm rushing to beat IE explorer crashing again

Phil, if you get the chance pop along to wisley for the glass house butterflies to practice on, a bit bigger than our own species but captive subjects. Thanks for the advice Chris, but I've already been (last Sunday) and left the DSLR at home. Last night I spent hours (not including all the picture...

Thanks for the advice Nick and Jack. I should let you know that I'm not beyond the fully auto stage yet having only ran off a few manual focus shots. The habit of getting close to shoot using the on board macro setting is one learned from using compacts. In fully Auto mode on the DSLR if I get close...

Took my daughters to London Wetland Centre at Barnes for some bird-watching, a chance to try-out our Christmas cameras and meet up with Gibster and Sami :D . Apart from the usual wetland species highlights were seeing Stonechats (spotted by Seth) and almost getting bowled over by a low flying mute s...

Apologies if I appear naïve and not thinking this through, but isn't the reason for the new rail link based on a need for an increase in capacity as the cost of maintaining existing stock is uneconomical in the long run (the high-speed aspect is just incidental as any new railway won't be built on o...

and watch out for those orphion ichneumons they hurt when they stab you. but still great fun That reminds me: quite a few years ago I found a largish black ichneumon looking wasp with an orange tip to the abdomen in our conservatory. Thinking it would frighten and compel my other half to squash it,...

Hiya Phil, this is from today's Birdguides: ...and the unseasonably warm winter has prompted some species to hatch before Christmas, weeks ahead of schedule. Spring Usher moths together with Hebrew Character and Common Quaker have been reported regularly since November — months earlier than they ar...

we heard a loud "THONK" and a blooming ginormous Great Silver Beetle struck the side of the trap. I've heard tales of Storm Petrels coming to lights! Wow, :shock: :!: Fantastic. I've seen the Great Diving Beetle Dytiscus marginalis (impressive) but not the Great Silver Beetle which is lar...