Hi Vince,

Thanks very much for your informative and helpful reply. The butterfly really caused some head-scratching at the time as it was so different from the other female Common Blues that were around.

Nigel

I was out with my son at College Lake near Tring today and we're not sure of this Blue. The closest we can get is a female Common Blue F. celina, which from at looking Tolman/Lewington shouldn't be here.

Help would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Nigel

Hi Susie, we lost one of ours a couple of years ago, never did find out why it died. This link gives a few possible causes:

http://www.ehow.com/about_6320514_wilti ... -bush.html

I hope it is nothing serious though, it might benefit from a prune if the plant is struggling.

N

Hi Hilary,

I think your moth is the Lychnis, see here:

http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/2173.php

Nigel

Hi Colin, you're top image is probably Pyrausta purpuralis, but P. ostrinalis cannot be ruled out. Without a shot of the underside it's difficult to tell for certain, see here:

http://upperthames-butterflies.org.uk/M ... _moths.pdf

Nigel

Hi Colin, they go through different instars which can vary quite considerably. Here's a link to a page on the excellent British Bugs site which shows how some of our native species change as they grow:

http://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteropte ... tages.html

N

Hi Colin,

Having done a quick search the closest I can find is this:

http://macroid.ru/showphoto.php?photo=7 ... ig&cat=587

I'm not very good on this group so I'm not 100% sure.

N

Looks like it might be this one:

http://denbourge.free.fr/Arachnides_Ara ... hirtus.htm

N

Whatever you put down will probably lose it effectiveness over time and will need replacing. That's if it works and the cats don't become accustomed to it. I had the same problem years ago on a small veg patch, whenever I prepared and seeded the soil the cats thought it was for their benefit. As it ...

I think it's a Mottled Beauty: http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1941.php

N

Hi Leo, I live quite close to Grangelands, it's not a huge site so have a wander. As you're in the vicinity I'd go for Lodge Hill, Bledlow as well. Also if you have time Dancersend could be worth a visit: http://www.bbowt.org.uk/content.asp?did=23524. Also Aston Rowant is a popular butterfly site bu...

Hi Gruditch, The ID looks good to me as well. Scroll down this link to Striped Lychnis: http://www.ukleps.org/CommNamesAlphabetical.html Also page 2 of this report: http://upperthames-butterflies.org.uk/Reports/Striped_Lychnis_Report_2010_PHall.pdf N Edit: Also it's getting quite late for Mullein la...

Hi Paul,

It's a Scalloped Oak.

http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/species/1921.php

N

Hi Peter, It's a moth, Common Emerald. Here's a link: http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=254

Cheers,
N

I also think it is Chrysoteuchia culmella. If you want a good guide to this group there's one here (fourth one down):

http://sites.google.com/site/berksmoths ... ource_list

Cheers,
N

I agree with Chris, Small Dusty Wave.

N

Hi Holly,

I've just looked at my copy of WTL and on page 222 it illustrates a form of Cinnabar (f. coneyi) that matches your description.

Nigel

Hi Holly,

A real longshot but it's the only one I can find that comes close to your description. You did mention westerlies . . .

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2009/06/16/lichen-moth-3/

Nigel

Hi Goldie,

Your moth is a Brown Silver-line.

http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=18

Nigel