Hi Dave, I suspect it has something to do with the unfavourable weather in the spring and early summer. I remember not seeing my first Orange-tip until about 8 May last year and it took a while for the summer to get going. As far as the Comma is concerned, if at some point during the larval stage (I...

I hope you are right in the forecast for April, David, because for the first 3 months of the year the weather was not too dissimilar to that in 2012 and who can forget what a generally disastrous year it eventually turned out to be for our butterflies. So fingers crossed for at least an average Apri...

Thank you for your response, David.

Having looked at my Comma shot a few more times I am still not totally convinced it is of a female for two reasons: 1) the hindwings don't look broad enough and 2) the very ragged wing shape suggestive of a male even if the wings look paler than usual.

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Peter

I found a Comma on my local patch and wonder if anyone knows if this is a female specimen? The shape and size of the body suggests that it might be but I am not too sure. It was perched about 1m high and although I got within about 2 metres of it I did not disturb it and no indication of any male te...

I admire your dedication and enthusiasm for the immature Speckled Wood shots, Paul. Well done!

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Peter

Hi Janet, No I have had no reply. The nectar sources may not need to be too close to any suitable blackthorn bushes as females are known to fly some distance and colonies, albeit at low densities, often extends up to over four 10km decads :) . Yes, mature ashes usually need to be near the blackthorn...

I took a fresh specimen of a male on 30 June on my local patch at Norton Green Common. Note the three eyespots on the forewings but I am unsure if this can be classified as an aberration.

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Peter

Bad news so I have just signed the petition, John.

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Peter

Hello Simon, Another excellent site is Hexton Chalk Pit, about 50 metres south of Hexton Village on the left of the road to Lilley. Hundreds of Chalkhill Blues often seen here at the height of the season. In addition, Dingy Skippers, Green Hairstreaks and Dark Green Fritillaries are on the wing earl...

Excellent idea, Pete.

I am becoming a fan of Frohawk myself having read June Chatfield's book of his life. Now, I have to fork out hundreds of pounds for his Natural History of Butterflies Vols 1 & 2

Roll on March.

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Peter

Merry Christmas to you all from me too and hopefully a much better butterflying year in 2017.

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Peter

Congratulations from me too. Some fantastic images there.

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Peter

Thank you very much for identifying the larva for me, Scott. Yes I think you're right - I saw an adult Large Yellow Underwing in the house in the summer.

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Peter

Last Friday, I found a larva (at least that is what I think it is ) on an apple which had fallen to the ground in my back garden. Does anyone have any idea what it could be?

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Peter

I am sure you know by now that the Brown Hairstreak is one of my favourite butterflies :) . Anyway, now that we are approaching the egg-hunting season I have a question for you guys. It is well known that females prefer sunny and sheltered spots on blackthorn to lay their eggs on relatively new grow...

Congratulations, Iain. Keep up the good work

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Peter

Very well deserved, Pete - congratulations . One of the most informative websites anywhere.

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Peter

Hello Peter, I had a look at Dock bug,on a couple of sites,and I think you,re spot on !! I have seen adult Shield bugs at the site where I took the pic; of the nymph .nice one ! many thanks for the ID. Regards Allan.W. No problem, Allan - glad to be of help. It is only in the last year or so that I...

Hi Allan,

I believe your bug is a Dock Bug nymph Coreus marginatus.

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Peter

A most impressive article, Pete. And to include over 100 superb images as well. Well done

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Peter