Thanks Pete.

I take your point regarding dealers. I made the mistake in assuming that the rearing outfit I ordered would contain UK pupae and eggs because the advertisement made no mention of non-native stock.

ATB

Peter

Thanks Pete, for the excellent and informative article but unfortunately it doesn't really answer my question. I suppose I will just have to keep any non-native adults which emerge, in the house until they die :? Sad really. I understand the educational value of captive rearing which is why I am tak...

I purchased a lepidopterist rearing kit from a well-known dealer because I wanted to have a go at breeding butterflies myself which I last attempted when I was a kid many years ago. In the pack there were 5 pupae (4 moths only 2 of which are resident in the UK) and the Map butterfly as well as sever...

Hi Buggy,

You could try Bison Hill on the Chilterns. A friend and I visited the site 4 or 5 years ago and we saw several Dukes by the footpath not far from the car park. I am unsure if it is still breeding there though.

ATB

Peter

I admire your enthusiasm, Buggy, and pleased that you were rewarded with your first Speckled Wood and Green-veined White of the year. I've yet to see a white of any kind or a Speckled Wood - maybe today will be the day.

ATB

Peter

I have been carefully checking all the nymphalids while walking the Hutchinson's Bank Transect, and will check the Chapel Bank as well tomorrow, at least for a few weeks. There are a few interesting records on the UKBMS website for this year, for week 1, including a Gatekeeper!!!! . Apart from 9 La...

I don't disagree with John at all and I agree with you, Gruditch, that hedge-trimming is a major cause for the decline of the butterfly. I was just asking the question if pheasants have an impact so anything we can do to stop any further reduction in numbers the better.

ATB

Peter

Thank you for your comments, John. Yes I agree that blue tits, for example, will take Brown Hairstreak eggs. Since the eggs are often laid very low on blackthorn about 1 metre above ground I suspect the emerging larvae will often feed on the leaves that close to the ground as well. OK, large numbers...

It is generally thought that removal and annual trimming of hedgerows are the main causes for the decline of the Brown Hairstreak in the UK. But could there be another reason for the decline relating to pheasants (even if used for game)? Does anyone know of any evidence of pheasants feeding on Brown...

I have a Lumix FZ200 plus close-up lens. Now in which circumstances is a monopod be most useful, e.g. long distance or close-up? I find that the steadying effect of a monopod is always useful, when composing a shot in the viewfinder. It is especially useful for close-up work, because it helps maint...

Maybe this one is for you, Mike. On a previous thread, a monopod was talked about as a useful accessory. I have a tripod but if I can do almost as well with a monopod then I might try using that instead. I have a Lumix FZ200 plus close-up lens. Now in which circumstances is a monopod be most useful,...

Thanks for checking, Buggy.

Yes it's not the best image I am afraid, but your suggestions seem pretty good.

Peter

I was shown a case of insects, captured in French Guiana, at the local museum. I have been able to identify four of the butterflies please correct me if I am wrong on any of these. Top second left : Lybia Longwing Eueides lybia Top centre : Protesilaus molops Bottom left : Stalachtis calliope Bottom...

You may recall that I submitted a post some time ago about a sighting of iris in a friend's back garden nectaring on buddleia about ten years ago. I double-checked with him today and he says that he saw the purple sheen on the wings so seemingly a male having a good feed so maybe not just females wh...

My contribution - a pair from Norton Green last April

Peter

Went to Norton Green this afternoon to look for Purple Emperor larvae on 2 sallows and adult Red Admirals. Didn't find these but I did find a Small Tortoiseshell basking in the sun on the ground even though it was generally about 7 degrees.

Peter

I concur too - brilliant Papilios which I find very handy for distinguishing the golden skippers (Small and Essex) without having to be down on all fours (well usually anyway )

Peter

Everyone's photos and information has been really helpful to me,especially regarding low down, thank you! I saw my first ever Purple Hairstreak back on the 16th August 2010 (have no idea how I post a photo on here), since then I've been observing and studying a colony at Wild Park in Brighton, obse...

I have just done 'Google Earth' in the Stevenage area and discovered white blackthorn blossom so I have other places to look for Brown Hairstreak eggs

Peter

I took this shot fairly late in the season and probably an ageing specimen showing a slight 'browning' of the forewings. Not the best quality

Peter