No sign of an influx today at Bournemouth. A 4 hour walk along the cliffs and over Hengistbury Head produced fewer than ten. To be honest there wasn't much sign of migration yesterday either, just fair numbers feeding up on the Seaside Daisy (Erigeron glaucus) that is so abundant on the cliffs. Now ...

It's one of the almost infinitely variable Common Marbled Carpet. Fig.35 on plate 8 of Skinner is similar to yours.

Misha

The odd looking one has just moulted. The spines will darken in a while.

Misha

Extraordinary! Did you notice that in the right hand photo he/she is apparently trying to oviposit?

Misha

Hi bugmadmark

Your caterpillar at Devils Dyke looks like Winter moth. It's likely to have come off a nearby tree or shrub, unless it was brought in on clothing, which can easily happen.

Misha

I think you're right, Pete. How embarrassing to be fooled by a Small Tort!

Misha

Denise, I think they are caterpillars of the Gothic moth (Naenia typica), but not 100% certain.

Misha

It can take a couple of days or more, according to temperature.

Misha

Yes, that's it. Although it only shows a small selection of the European fauna, it probably covers a good proportion of the beetles likely to be spotted by the average non-specialist.

Misha

Guy, my beetle book is called: A Field Guide in Colour to Beetles. by K.W.Harde. ISBN 1-85605-448-9. I'm not sure if it's still in print. It's a translation from the German, the English edition edited with additions by P.M.Hammond. I got it for £2 remaindered.

Misha

He's definitely about to pupate. DO NOT DISTURB ! All will be revealed soon.

Misha

Paul, it looks very like a beetle illustrated in my only beetle book, namely Leptura virens. It says: "The black colouring of this beetle's body is often scarcely discernible owing to its coat of long, thick greenish or grey hairs." It is a montane species in Central Europe.

Misha

After seeing the lateral views I'm still uncertain, but would probably exclude Painted Lady, which has more conspicuous yellow lateral markings, as well shown in David's pic. It is certainly different from the detailed description of the QoS larva in Frohawk's Complete Book of British Butterflies. H...

Yes, I had thought it was a bit early for Painted Lady. Failing that, my guess would be Q. of S. But I suppose it's now a case of wait and see. The pupa might be easier to identify.

Misha

Pyrausta aurata, a Pyralid (Micro) moth. Are you growing any mint species or other related plants in your garden? They are larval foodplants.

Misha

I'd like to see a closer side view. Could it be a dark form of the Painted Lady? They are so variable. It doesn't agree with illustrations I have of any of the fritillaries, but many of them are also rather variable.

Misha

I'd go for Carabus nitens.

Misha

Took the bus over to Ballard Down, Swanage, today. New species for me this year were: Dingy Skipper (many), Wall (ten or so including an ovipositing female), Brown Argus (a baker's dozen) and Common Blue (one). Also seen were: Large, Small and Green Veined White, Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Small Copper...

Pete
It's a bit late, but I have just found your photo of mystery larvae on blackthorn. I think they may be young larvae of Saturnia pavoniella, a close relative of our Emperor moth. Have a look at http://www.leps.it.

Misha

Hi Chitin I would be very interested to know where your Marsh Fritillary caterpillars came from. In Bulgaria I have only ever found them on a species of Teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus); never on any scabious. I recently discovered that they have also been found on Teasel in Turkey. I strongly suspect t...