No, it is the Orache Moth (Trachea atriplicis]). A rare immigrant to UK. Where did you find it?

Tony M.

Lovely shots, Peter,
Scarce frit is really special, and yours look to be pretty pristine . I was lucky enough to see it in Bulgaria a couple of years back and hope to find it again in Poland soon. Many thanks for an evocative post.

Tony M.

Although we are well behind the times here in Staffordshire, species-wise, there has been a positive explosion eclosion of Orange tips at Aqualate Mere, a local SSSI. Dozens in the air at any one time and eggs on every head of Lady's Smock. The bluebells are also the finest that I have ever seen: DS...

Hi Jonny, If you can get a bit further west, there is a brilliant site near Stone, Staffs at Swynnerton Army Camp. We saw 60+ in a couple of hours two years ago. It is a closed site, but local butterfliers usually arrange a visit at peak emergence time. The guy who normally sorts it is John Bryan - ...

but it is like a drug, grovelling in the dirt, trying to get into the intimacy of the lives of butterflies. I think we all know where you're coming from on this one, Chris. Two hours scrabbling around on hands and knees looking for Grayling eggs, whilst walkers pass by with pitying expressions on t...

Very chuffed today to hear that my record of C.cithaeron in Mauritius has been published in Metamorphosis, the journal of the African Lepsoc. Sorry, I'm not sufficiently computer savvy to post a link, but it can be found in Vol 39: 3-4 of the journal, freely available online if anyone wants to look....

Finally, a bit of warm sunshine and my first butterflies - only about a month behind everyone else, I guess...
Tony M.

Hi Kev, My two penn'orth, for what it's worth, being a confirmed non-expert. Against all advice from this forum (150 minimum, 180 for preference), I bought a Sigma 105 macro several years ago. I like the comparatively light weight and enjoy the fieldcraft necessary to get near to one's quarry. I lik...

Dan Dare??? Ahh! Those were the days...

Tony M.

Despite all the exotics seen during the year, my favourite has to be this Orange Tip, which appeared in my garden, close to the centre of Stafford, on 10th April. Evocative of spring and promise for the future.
Tony M.

Thanks, Bugboy

Tony M.

Absolutely wonderful story - well done you .

Tony M.

Sorry about the inaccurate link - not too clever with all this modern techno stuff :oops: . I also first came across Hedylidae through the latest excellent book by Adrian Hoskins. Must say, they look very 'mothy' to me! :mrgreen: Are there any photographs of the larvae? I can't find any. Fascinating...

I thought this research very interesting and likely to put a few felines among the columbids:

http://www.cell.com/current-biology/home

Tony M.

Mine is also from Europe (Ischia) - didn't manage to get over to Strumpshaw this year, sadly .
Tony M.

Do you mean Winter Moths or moths during winter? Flightless female Early Moths can be found by searching Blackthorn bushes shortly after dark. Easiest with a decent head torch. They climb onto exposed twigs to await some love interest. Take care as they will readily fall to the ground if the branch ...

The Grey Glassy Tiger was also in good numbers in the reserve: 21-DSC09919_edited-1.jpg 12-tiger.jpg Most days I managed a walk along the forest edge, where I was delighted to find a Hoary Palmer (Unkana ambasa): 1-DSC09833_edited-1.jpg Several Common Jezebels (Delias eucharis) were floating about,...

Many thanks for your kind remarks, Trevor. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to see such species. I have another 'oops' :oops: moment to confess in that the Tiger IDed as Blue Glassy ( I. vulgaris , is actually Grey Glassy Tiger ( Ideopsis juventa ). I did see vulgaris away from the...

Thanks, David - they brightened my winter, too .

I'm surprised that no one has commented on the 'Butterfly Moth', which seemed a most bizarre insect to me. I understand from my companion that they are rarely seen, especially in such smart condition.

T.

Guy,

I have now heard back from Sabah and, of course, you were spot on! It was the Malayan Oakleaf (Kalima limborgi boxtoni). The larva below was (Doleschallia). I have edited the post with corrections. Many thanks for your expert input .

Tony.