The fact that it pupated successfully means that you did not harm it. No need to bury it now. I agree with Dave that it is the Angle Shades moth and it might even emerge during the winter. Just keep it in a cool dry place and keep an eye on it from time to time.

Misha

The caterpillar wanted to bury itself in the earth before pupation. It shouldn't be attached to anything. Just keep it in a cool place for the winter.

Misha

9 is surely one of the Brown Argus sp. You were tired Guy. I went for Sooty Copper for 4 mainly because of the sllght bulge at the tornus of the hindwing, like the underside at 5.

Misha

Why not a Large Copper?

Misha

I was leaving this for Guy, but I 'll respond to some of your suggestions, Denise. I incline to Small Blue for the first. 4 & 5 both Sooty Copper (the race subalpinus ). 7 is one of the Lysandra blues (chequered fringes). No 11 looks to me like Alcon or Mountain Alcon blue, and possibly no 10 as...

Looks like Buff Ermine. It will accept a variety of low plants such as dandelion. It may be ready to pupate, so give it some litter to spin its cocoon in.

Misha

Well-heeled Canonistas may be interested in this: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0909/09090 ... mmacro.asp.

Misha

Another thing that proves it's female is the fact that the wings are reduced to tiny flaps. In the male they are developed into the stridulatory apparatus, as in this 1974 slide.

Misha

I don't know the area, but apart from the species already mentioned, I would look out for Mediterranean Skipper (dried up river beds), Pygmy Skipper and Sage Skipper (often commonest in the autumn). These days Monarch and Plain Tiger are possibles. Swallowtail and Bath White should be about. You may...

It's a female. The ovipositor is hidden by a blade of grass.

Misha

The larva is the Reed Dagger Simyra albovenosa, a nationally scarce moth.

Misha

Terrific shot. I love those headlamps.

Misha

Hi Mark. Your first link brings up a bird picture, but I see an Old Lady moth in the same set. Is that what you mean? The second is a Pyralid known as the Large Tabby Aglossa pinguinalis . In my book it says: "the larva lives in silken galleries amongst chaff and hay refuse in barns, and also i...

The female looks like f.isias of amanda to me. Can't be certain though. Have a look at Tolman and Lewington plate 32.

Misha

I think the blues are Amanda's, sitting among the larval foodplant. I hesitate to guess at the fritillaries, but possibly Lesser Marbled.

Misha

Thanks for the recommendation, Zonda and Bill.

Misha

I'm glad it exists, though it's not in my big Chambers Dictionary, so would it count in Scrabble?

Misha

Felix, my use of the word fungology was not entirely serious, but I like it as a word.

Misha

Hi Zonda.
What book would you recommend for a beginner in fungology. I have looked at several and can't decide.

Misha

Felix, I haven't been over to Ballard Down recently, but I have always seen the Grayling predominantly near the top of the down, where conditions are more acid. There is an area with Ling and Bell Heather, where it can be quite numerous. I think sightings from lower down are probably mostly wanderer...