Brilliant shots Chris :D :mrgreen: Thank you for letting me use Pete's book properly for the first time - those defensive glands are called its osmeterium 8) Good luck with your charge, I'm looking forward to following their progress :D Have a goodun Wurzel Thanks for the research, Wurzel - "o...

Hi Chris - At last I've found it again. I knew I'd seen it somewhere and it stuck in my mind. Great life-cycle shots of the BVW. I'm impressed with all your observations of the immature stages and behavioral aspects. Shall be looking in quite a bit more now that I've discovered it. Really interesti...

Thanks Wurzel and David, I'm sure by now you have seen my Black-veined White life story. As I write, 14 September, temperatures have risen again in Marseille up to 31°C in the afternoon. At the end of last year I planted a spindly fennel plant in my garden, taken from nearby waste ground. It is havi...

Hi Folks, I know an Eco-Garde on the West coast of France (near the Ile de Ré) who is involved in a project for sustaining and reintroducing Large Blue on his territory. He is interested in the techniques and means employed in the UK for our recently reintroduced colonies of M. arion . He is very en...

...Migrant Painted Ladies were still coming in off the sea today at Lancing on the Sussex coast ... This may be related, and it may be interesting to know that this week and last week in the south of France there has been a sudden peak of Painted Ladies. In my local park at lunchtime, there are abo...

.... My question to the collective wisdom embodied within this group is this: does anyone have any experience of putative 2nd brood Marsh Fritillaries, either in the UK or in Europe? .... Hi All, Regarding putative 2nd brood Marsh Fritillaries, in Europe, here below is a link to the south of France...

Thanks for sharing, Charles.

A feast for the eyes.

Chris

Hi Pete,
It would be good if you could first get a photo of it so that the experts can confirm what it is.
Chris

A great report Pete from an exciting and rewarding trip.
Chris

As ever David, an excellent array of amazing species.
It makes one want to sign up for your trips immediately.
Chris

Nice shots of the pupae Kev. Its rewarding when you get deeper into their life cycle.
Chris

With that scenery we are off to a good start David.
Chris

Hi Folks, I've cobbled together a life story following many hours spent idly whiling away my time in the scrub in the south of France with my camera - enjoy: A courting pair 1 crataegi2_13 female Vitrolles olive grove 29May13 (6).JPG Mating 2 crataegi10_83 pair Vallon du Cros 11Jun16 (1).JPG Egg lay...

Well done for your Twin-spot Fritillaries at the Sainte Baume mountain, Pete.
They don't sit still for very long do they?
For the record, I noted they weren't flying on the 26th May but I spotted 3 on the 30th May, so you got in just at the threshold.
Cheers,
Chris

Spring brood Maps!
High on my wish list
Chris

A nice series of Marsh Fritillary photos Bugboy, still in good condition.
They will be way past their best in the south of France now.
Chris

Hi Folks, Some sightings from the East Midlands these last few days: Arboretum, Evington, Leicester 01 June: aegeria, argiolus, cardamines, c-album, urticae (caterpillar) Small Tortoiseshell caterpillar (32 mm long) urticae17 caterpillar 32 mm long Piggy's Hollow Leicester 01Jun19 (4).JPG cardamines...

Would some-one be kind enough to pin-point the Black Hairstreak hot spot at Monk's Wood for me please ? (by PM)
Or is it signposted on site ?
On Google maps, the Wood looks extensive.
Thanks
Chris

Think the first one was seen at Monks wood yesterday. With such a narrow flight period, once one is seen they build up quickly so you well get lucky :) That's good news Buggy, and the weather should hold out tomorrow and Tuesday until 3 pm. We can always hit Glapthorne on the way back to leicester....

Impressive scenery, David, and a nice selection of Papilionidae.
I'm glad you got mostly good weather - it can be unpredictable in Spring.
Chris