I'm almost too embarrassed to post this photo it's so terrible, but at the same time I'm crossing my fingers that someone will be able to confirm that it IS my first Purple Emperor! I got a better look at it than the photo suggests, and I think I'm right - only it didn't look very purple. Thanks in ...

Thanks for your reply. I'm in Central Brittany, France. So perhaps it's not unusual here? I'm off to look it up!

A better photo than my last query! Is this a Merveille du Jour moth? Found in my garden on the side of a polystyrene seed tray - and hasn't moved for a couple of hours. Thanks.

Brilliant! Thanks a lot.

Hello. I've seen this butterfly(?) a few times now. But try as I might I can't get a better photo! It seems to hardly ever keep its wings still. It has been feeding mainly on Centranthus and moves very much like a Hummingbird Hawk Moth. Is it actually a butterfly - or a moth? Any help appreciated.

Thanks for your reply. Yes they've both gone - the Snakeshead Frittilaries got shared between the caterpillar and Lily Beetles! However I'm really happy to know what it was, for next year.

I found this caterpillar happily ensconced in a flower of Fritillaria meleagris (Snakeshead fritillary.) is it anything 'special'? Or just what is it? I'm happy to leave it to munch away if it's worthy(!) but I like my flowers too, so I'll put it somewhere else if it doesn't have very specific requi...

Finally one of the two Clouded Yellows that have been buzzing around the garden these last few days came to a stop on some broccoli which has started flowering. They seem to be the last two butterflies standing from this year...

A second generation Map on mint growing in the ditch at the edge of the garden.

Hardly an unusual find! But I can count between thirty and fifty pristine Peacocks the moment the sun comes out after yet another downpour.

Thank you! My first ever sighting of one. Hopefully the first of many.

[image][/image]Sorry the picture is poor but was snapped quickly. This was on the tarmac on the roadside in front of my house (country lane) on 1st July. It stubbornly refused to open its wings except once, briefly when I got a glimpse of purple. It crawled onto my finger and then was gone! Thanks f...

Thanks for that. Good to know that I can move them to somewhere safe!

Hello. This year the fennel and carrot that I plant have lots of Swallowtail eggs and caterpillars on them. Some are now getting to the size where they leave the host plant and (I presume) go and find somewhere to pupate? I found one a few feet away from the fennel on the soil. Does this mean that i...

These were taken in my garden. I'm pleased to have so many different stages of Swallowtail caterpillar on one plant - there are eggs too but I couldn't get them in the photo! The butterfly was in my polytunnel - I don't know how to tell if it's a male or female?

Apologies for the quality, but can you tell me what this is? I think it is some kind of Tiger Moth. It was in my barn this afternoon. When I startled it, it showed the brightest red abdomen and I can't find any info about that when I've searched to try to identify it. Thanks in advance

Thank you. I have lots of fennel. It's something that grows despite me! I'm pretty rubbish at growing carrots normally. Sod's law however prevails, and some of the eggs that the female laid are on the two carrot tops left in the garden over the winter - the roots being pathetic looking plants barely...

Thanks for that.
I am in Brittany, North West France. I will do all that you say and cross my fingers.

Hello. First post and not sure where best to put it.
I have rescued some newly laid Swallowtail eggs on fennel stems that had been cut down. Can I hatch these and return the caterpillars to another plant? If so how, and how long until they hatch and how/where do I keep the eggs? Thanks for any replies