Looking back at this thread there have been some good questions; quite varied. Here's one to test your knowledge of entomological history... In 1969 a schoolboy collected a series of Scotch Argus from Ranoch Moor in Argyll. (School boys were less enlightened back then, preferring to collect butterfl...

Adonis Blue?

My apologies Andy, it may well have been this second site that I was thinking of when composing my original post.

Felix.

That is an impressive carpet of horseshoe vetch Andy. What are your thoughts upon the crash in Chalkhill Blue numbers at Mill Hill (compared to a few decades ago)? Clearly supply of suitable food plant is not an issue. Some sites in Dorset have been ludicrously over grazed which has resulted in tota...

Hmmm. Fauna Europaeae is so infrequently updated that it is often woefully out of date. Having said that, my source, my "authority", was one of my friends at a recent Entomological 'do' in London. I can not vouch for his accuracy... :oops: Regarding Guy's comment referring to Ebay, I have ...

I'd love to see it Bryan,but I honestly think it's impossible to do and make it look natural. Martin. That would be quite an achievement - precisely what failed so miserably in Tomlinson & Still's Wild Guide to British Butterflies! I don't care what anyone says; those montages are appalling... ...

But I will certainly continue to pour scorn on NuLabour because ... well, do I need a reason? Guy Mr Brown and co. give us all the reasons we could ever possibly require...! Besides, I was half joshing. I say half, because I have two friends who have chosen to enter politics nationally (one of whom...

I think we need a debate here around what image manipulation should, and shouldn't, be permitted in the photo competitions. There are (I believe) 2 photos in this month's competition that have been digitally altered beyond what I would consider to be subtle adjustments or recropping. In essence, th...

The political system favours cowards and sycophants. Guy Hear here ! Come on then guys...! Are you going to rise to the challenge and enter politics yourselves (since you're both so dissatisfied with the relative merits of the Swiss and English political systems) or are you happy to remain arm chai...

I too am looking forward to my copy flopping onto the door mat! I shall be interested in how far these revisions go; for example Lysandra Slovakus : in Tolman 1997 this is simply listed under L. coridon coridon "Consistently bivoltine in one small area - details lacking". Now slovakus is r...

Hi Denise,

A friend of mine tells me that Grizzled Skipper are just beginning to appear on the south facing slopes of Crooks Peak and Wavering Down in Somerset, which is fairly near your neck of the woods.

Happy hunting!

With kind regards,

Felix.

Hi Champ

Welcome aboard! I Very much look forward to hearing about your breeding experiences.

(Does that sound wrong?!)

Felix.

Apparently, samples of mature larvae taken and reared through in recent years from sites around the south of England reveal that Chalkhill Blue larvae are being heavily parasitised. I am not yet aware of what specie of hymenoptera is responsible, but watch this space for more details...

Felix.

Just to inform those that don't already know, the first DoB was sighted at Noar Hill on 22nd April. Also of note a Dingy Skipper in East Sussex.

http://www.hantsiow-butterflies.org.uk/sightings.htm

All the best,

Felix.

A reference to Benjamin Britten and coprophagia on the UKB website... what a star you are sir!

Felix.

Well you never know!

Generally breeding in the UK relies upon an immigration in the spring, which then breed in Britain to produce a summer brood.

If we have a decent Painted Lady year in 2008, and you manage to attract some adults to nectar in your garden you could well be lucky...

Felix.

The chances are high Rosy, PL's breed in Britain frequently and in good years the larvae can be found easily on thistles such as spear thistle; they live a solitary existance in a 'tent' created from leaves spun together similar to Red Admiral larvae. They will accept nettle in captivity and are eas...

I think the stamps are rather lovely. They're stamps, and as such I think that the design works well. Since they were designed in conjunction with the BMNH it seems fitting that the design reflects in some way this country's proud history of entomological study. I agree that photographic stamps woul...

Eerie!!!!

Stunning photo's though mate!

Felix