Hi Paul,

Definitely the Black Oil Beetle, Meloe proscarabaeus.

This may help: Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

Hi Mike, Just to clarify things, if you weren't aware, but the two 'Dukes' you depict are in fact both 'Duchesses'. The behaviour you observed in the field would also of suggested this. The first is a little worn suggesting she may have been out a day or two, which further suggests the males may hav...

Hi CJB,

It's an Oak Beauty, Biston strataria. An attractive species.

More at http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=2639

Kind regards. Mark

Hi David,

Your second picture appears to depict a female Goosander (Mergus merganser). In what sort of environment was it found?

Kind regards. Mark

For Sale Canon EOS 7D (body only) in immaculate condition (with original box, software, cables and battery). Also Canon BG-E7 Battery Grip (boxed) to fit 7D. Two years old though with very little use. Camera upgrade forces sale. £475 (ono) plus postage and packing. Please pm me if you require furthe...

Hi Martin,

This is a New Zealand Red Admiral (Vanessa gonerilla).

Kind regards. Mark

Hi Peter, Chiddingfold Forest summer brood Wood White were on the wing on Saturday, 12th July; and probably a day earlier. I only saw two males on this date but by now their numbers should have increased. As Pete said, 'the second brood is sometimes better than the first' , but not always in my expe...

Hi Ian,

As Chris has correctly verified this is a Meadow Brown. I can confirm that this is a male, as the sex brands, the dark patches on the forewings, are still clearly visible.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

Hi kentishman,

Your 'male Ringlet' is in fact a male Meadow Brown.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

It should also be said that in Sussex the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, despite showing some signs of natural expansion of its range in recent years, only occurs at some sites due to captive breeding and release programmes. The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, sadly near extinct in its final Sussex out...

I am following this thread with much interest and agree with many of the comments highlighted. One thing I am particularly concerned about, and have been since my early days with the Amateur Entomologists’ Society (AES), is the education of children to ensure that an understanding and respect for th...

Hi Pete, I’m really pleased to see you’ve raised this issue as it's one that’s been preying on my mind for some time. Most of us who have an interest in insects will probably have collected the caterpillars of the Small Tortoiseshell of ‘Cabbage’ White as a child and tried, often unsuccessfully, to ...

Hi John,

Looks like a white lilac variety (Syringa sp.) to me.

Hope that helps.

Kind regards. Mark

Hi Colin,

Assuming they occur in your area try either The Forester (Adscita statices) or Cistus Forester (Adscita geryon).

http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=163
http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=164

Hope that helps?

Kind regards. Mark

Hi Katrina,

Katrina wrote:Thanks to my friend for finding the last Duke - is it a Duchess?

She sure is ...

Kind regards. Mark

Hi Susie,

This looks like the Red-breasted Carrion Beetle (Oiceoptoma thoracica) to me.

Kind regards. Mark

Hi James,

It was really good to meet you too and I was pleased I could show you around one of my favourite sites in Sussex.

Well down with the Pearl ...

Good hunting.

Kindest regards. Mark

Hi Ian,

Mike may have touched on the answer here: viewtopic.php?t=7459&start=10000#p83508

An upgrade to your RAW converter is probably what is required.

Good luck.

Kind regards. Mark

Hi Dave,

I'll fill the gap for you.

4. Rusty-tipped Page or Brown Siproeta (Siproeta epaphus)

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

Hi Peter, Dale’s daily journals and books of records are accessible, by prior appointment, at the Library of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History (OUMNH). If you do make an appointment to visit, I suggest you request to see Item 5 from the Dale archive which comprises the Entomological Ca...