How long are our butterflies joined when copulating?... half an hour, an hour, an hour and a half, two hours? What i have found, is that, it depends on what time of day butterflies decide to copulate. Take for instance the Small Tortoiseshell, the courtship starting mid afternoon, before mating late...

The Red Admiral larva when it is freshly hatched is very similar to that of the Comma 1st instar, but has shorter strands of hair and less of it. IMG_5756 Red Admiral 1st instar.jpg But over a few days it's body takes quite a transformation. Here is a Red Admiral 1st instar larva just a few hours be...

No problem Wurzel. Changing colour..... The photo below was taken in overcast conditions and, as you can see the body of this 1st instar Comma larva is mainly brown and grey. 2.8.2013 Comma larva 1st instar just hatched, Surrey 054-1_1.jpg But when you photograph this species of larva in lighter con...

Found this on Scientific American. A gene named Broad [odd name for a gene] is essential for the change from larva to pupa to complete metamorphosis in a caterpillar. If the caterpillar is without this gene it is incapable of developing into a pupa. So fails in it's quest to become a Butterfly, and ...

Sorry Wurzel, i didn't answer your question fully, or properly. You asked, any ideas what caused the increase in size, was it carrying any parasitic larva? Firstly, there must of been something genetically wrong with this particular caterpillar, just to carry on feeding until it died. Secondly if it...

Hi David and Wurzel,

thanks for the kind comments.

Wurzel, the larva must have been just damned greedy,

All the best, Nick.

To big to pupate... The 1st photo below shows a Small White larva at 25mm in length and, 2-3mm wide. This is the normal size of a 4th instar thats ready to pupate. Small White larva, 4th instar [2] 25mm long 286-5_1_1.jpg The 2nd photo depicts another Small White larva that for some reason has grown...

Thanks for the comments guys. Appreciated.

David wrote, it's certainly an eye-opener. Nice pun.

Kev, i use a Sigma 150 2.8 APO macro DG HSM lens with a set of Kenko extension tubes, using manual focus. Hope that helps.

All the best, Nick.

One from this year,and one from last year.

This is mine, for the simple reason it just sat there in the sun without a care in the world, the 2nd time this had happened to me this year.

When i was trying to get a close-up photograph of a Red Admiral's eye i was surprised to find it covered in tiny hairs, [i knew other butterflies had a few hairs, or none at all] that catches any dust particles, debris etc., [to small for the human eye to detect], ensuring protection against damage ...

Hi Pete, David and Wurzel,

thank you for your kind comments, appreciated as always.

All the best, Nick.

Hi everyone, a long time since i posted, but my computer was on the way out. I have now got myself a new one and, have at last managed to install most of my photos. Last year i spent most of my time learning more about the early stages, and trying to understand them rather than photographing butterf...

Hi Wurzel,

how are you and your family, i hope you all are well.

no. 1 and 2 look like Brown-tail, at different stages of it`s life-cycle, and no. 4 could be a Fox moth larva.

All the best, Nick.

My favourite is this little Comma larva 1st instar, thats just hatched..

Hi Rob,

Its a Small Tortoiseshell.

My favourite Brimstone photo was taken on 29th June 2014, of this female Brimstone just short of her first birthday. The oldest female Brimstone i have seen.

Hi Trevor,

Welcome to the forum.

I met you at Chiddingfold Wood this year, i photographed the Purple Emperor with you. The same one you have just posted.

All the best, Nick.

Hi Mike, Brilliant photos. :D I know its not very nice to see, but its nature. Its something i have never seen before and a subject i find fascinating. I have seen a few 3rd/4th instar larva with white cocoons attached to them this year, mainly Red Admirals, but never the actual grubs. Thanks for sh...

Just brilliant, Guy. As are all your photos of the early stages in your PD.

All the best, Nick.