Thanks, Wurzel, Yes, the longtails are Skippers (mainly neotropical, I think) of various genera. If you google 'Longtail Skippers' you'll have enough to keep you going for the rest of the Winter :mrgreen: . My favourite - not a true longtail - is the Two-barred Flasher ( Astraptes fulgerator ), whic...

Thanks for the link, Bugboy.

A very unusual larva indeed. The adults flap about like Wood Whites and it was odd that of many dozens that I saw in my bit of hillside, none was in pristine condition.

Tony M.

Tobago 3 The Tobagan national bird is the indigenous Mot-mot, which I was pleased to see on a visit to the central ridge: DSC00858_edited-1.jpg There had been several whitish, slow flying butterflies near the forest edge of my site, which were all very worn and resisted identification. Near where t...

Thanks Wurzel, David and Guy for your kind remarks. I do feel very fortunate to have the opportunities to see these exotic species, mainly due to the kind offices of my lovely wife, who is keeper of the purse strings in our house :mrgreen: :mrgreen: . I only wish I'd started 40 years ago... Tobago. ...

Just back from two weeks in Tobago – an interesting country, butterflywise. Although it only boasts a fifth of the Trinidad species (150 to 670+), it is very little researched and new species are still found. The only available book is Barcant 1970, which concerns itself mainly with rarity and colle...

When we were in Costa Rica a white-nosed Coati regularly dug up the lawn in front of one of our hotels. It was totally unfazed by humans and allowed close approach. A magic experience .
.

Tony M.

Hi Pete, C.R. really is a spellbinding place, especially for butterflyers, and should be on everyone's 'bucket' list. I,too, thought the 'Crackers' quite amazing insects although the 'cracking' was too high pitched for my old lugs. When I tried to photograph them in poor light (where they're usually...

All very interesting and Bugboy is spot on. My first thoughts were moth, but the antennae seemed too 'knobbed' for it not to be a butterfly. What a fascinating (for some! ) hobby we have...

Tony M.

I, also, spent some time with my various Central American books. There are about ten 'Banded Skippers', none of which show the unusually coloured underwing of your example - most are plain grey or blackish. It may be worth submitting your photo to Andrea Solis (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/A...

From me too... I'll be joining you in your milestone in a couple of weeks - if I should live so long .

Tony M.

Hi Crispin, I found them very easy to rear on a small branch of flowering Elm on a shaded window ledge. You are unlikely to see the actual hatch and the young larvae bury themselves in an opening bud very quickly. The first evidence of success will be minute frass on the windowsill below. Do NOT att...

Absolutely brilliant report, Vince.

What was your camera set up?

Tony M.

Fascinating report, Peter, on an very interesting butterfly. Many thanks for the post .

Tony M.

Thanks EB for your kind remarks. Montenegro is a stunning place and, because of the variety, would make a good family holiday destination - plenty for everyone. End of second commercial .

Tony M,

Having seen no British Small Coppers this year, I was delighted to see 50+ very fresh ones in the warm sunshine at Aqualate Mere two afternoons ago. There was plenty of young Sorrel about and every clump had a few eggs: 2018-10-01-12.52.36 ZS PMax.jpg . Are these third generation larvae likely to su...

Many thanks, David, Wurzel and Ernie,

Montenegro is indeed a beautiful place - we may try to go back in the Spring, when I'm sure it will be heaving with butterflies. Whatever, it will be a good memory to help through the drear winter days.

Tony M.

Hello again, Guy. I ummed and ahhed about Mountain and Southern SW and am still not sure why I opted for Southern. However, a look back through the various shots produced this: DSC0012586_edited-1.jpg Because of the poor focus, I had not bothered to process it, but it shows no ufw spot so, as usual,...

Thanks, Wurzel and David. I was pretty excited myself, especially as it was only about 3 hours after getting off the plane! The area looked very 'S. Comma-ey' with plenty of old walls with Pellitory growing, but I only saw one other one during my stay; half way up a mountain and very beaten up. A vi...

. Don't take up trainspotting though ... The 15.45 for London, Euston is leaving from plat...... Once again, thanks for your kind comments, Guy. In fact, it was my unfamiliarity with scientific names that led me to suggest vau-album . I thought it must be Southern Comma, but forgot that it was call...

Just back from 10 days in Montenegro, which has to be one of the greatest unsung secrets of Europe; more beautiful than Italy and half the price. DSC00512.jpg DSC00543.jpg We were based near Tivat and there were still good numbers of leps about. Surprisingly, the most common was the Hummingbird Hawk...