Oh just let's forget it Julian. I was just commenting that there is an awful lot of stock of this species in this country and that in my humble opinion the odds are more in favour of a release or escapee. But you're probably right, in retrospect. Anyway, more importantly, as Guy rightly said; it's a...

Hi Julian, Nothing sinister (or amusing) in my comment - it is just widely rumoured that the Minsmere colony was the result of a release of captive bred stock. :) The species is very popular amongst amateur (and not so amateur) 'breeders' in this country and it is very easy to rear. It is also very ...

Queen of Spain in darkest Suffolk yesterday about 10 in the morning... Julian Queen-of-Spain.jpg :shock: Hmmmm is this the same site as the highly dubious population of the mid to late '90's? I suspect not, but with a species such as this one has to presume that a release is the most likely source....

Platyptilia pallidactyla - a quick 'google images' on this one and I reakon you're spot on Dave.

Well done that man, mystery solved.

Danbury lakes, Essex. About 15 meadow Brown, 10 Ringlet, 6 Small Skipper, 1 Red Admiral, and the White Plume below. Also saw the Blue below, not sure of sex or species. Thought it could be a female Common Blue, or a Brown Argus. Rich White Plume Danbury 3 July 2011.jpg unknown blue.jpg Hi, That is ...

Hi Lard,

This happens as the females age (your specimen has been out a while) and colours fade and scales are lost.

Piers.

Ps. 'Lard' - is this a Jello Biafra / Al Jourgensen reference? (if those names mean nothing to you then "no" )

Is that because they have a very high fat content?

Lee Hurrell wrote:I couldn't have told you it was Wagbo though.

oh my dear lord!

Lee Hurrell wrote:But I do like the rogue's gallery - I might have to put myself on there I guess!

and not before time Hurrell.

You flatter me P.J.U. Aaah, to be compared to the sublime genius that was (is) Richard Wagner! The reality is that I am not fit to gather up the crumbs from under his table. Sadly I look far more stooped, gnarled, and care-worn than the dashing prince in my avatar. Somewhere we once had a 'Rogues Ga...

Definitely a comma Nick, and elm is a frequently used food plant.

Piers.

P.J.Underwood wrote:...a diet of dog faeces...the more fat in the food the more palatable they usually are.

I shall have to take your word on that PJU.

I'm with Grumpy Dave on this, looks like classic female colouration too.

Mike d'Oxon is correct: male left, female to the right. Lovely large firey-red lunules on the female as well, nice capture Ian.

Piers.

Simply superb emperor there Nick, amazing!

For those that like to name such things, it looks very much like an aberration known as afflicta (Cabeau, 1910)

Piers.

2nd brood holly blues usually coincide with female silver washed frits, so these sightings are out on cue. Still plenty of Small Blues out at Stoke Camp; they have been out a while as they are no longer very blue...but still very small. Matsukaze - when I was younger, about 20 years ago there used t...

I have sent you a PM Gibster.

Hi Iain,

If you are able to get up into the Caithness flow country, the large heaths are amazing; devoid of spots and very silvery, almost ghost like. Proper 'scotica', fantastic.

Piers.

padfield wrote:I could be completely wrong.

...but in this instance you're completely right!

Piers.

If you choose to container grow them Dave, keep them well watered (but not completely saturated as this will knacker them) and place the tubs in a bright, sheltered position, out of direct sun light. When you plant them out following your move, prepare the ground well and remember that they shall ne...

We have a distinct adversion for looking for eggs on anything other than wych if we can, it is time consuming if nothing else so have to my knowledge never found an egg on scrappy elm. This doesn't mean to say an egg wouldn't be present. They have certainly been found on such elm near Stockbridge D...