Hi all, I thought I would have a go at "rearing" some of these Parasites, here is the result.
Steve.

Hi Vince, thank you for your reply, feel free to use the image, I removed the pupa today and took a photo of two exit holes the Parasites had used.
I reckon studying the life cycles of Parasites would be fascinating, not something for me though.

Thanks for the picture Comments, no skill required just take lots and some are bound to be good, the camera choice was actually made from advice from people on this site, http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6074 The Cardinals were feeding on African Marigolds along the seafr...

Hi all, Having read numerous reports on how wonderful Bulgaria is for Butterflies I thought I would give it a go rather than my usual holiday to Northern Spain, I spent 1 week near Burgas and a week in Skalsko. I was not disappointed as the Butterflies and Bugs were plentiful, highlights for me were...

Hi all, I have found a number of Pupa that have lots of these tiny flies wandering over them, could someone tell me what's going on.
Sorry about the picture quality, the pupa was not very accessible.

Great, and i thought it was something exotic.. Thanks Nick/Dave..

I was wondering if the lack of replies may mean i have got it wrong and its a Moth?, I watched the Cat chewing off a leaf of P.o.t.W rather than eating it if that helps.
Steve.

Hi all, I found this during my my Moth/Butterfly hunting sessions in Galicia last week, it was feeding on Pellitory on the Wall, any opinions?.
Steve.

Very few Butterflies in North Essex this Month but 3 Large White emerged today in my polytunnels, i found this Green Hairstreak today in Colchester, they are so lovely.
Steve.

Thanks Guy/Nick, It was the only Fritillary of the week, i stayed just outside Lisbon in Cascais, The only other Butterflies of note were 4 Green Hairstreaks, 2 Clouded Yellow, 2 Swallowtailes and a quick glimpse of a Marbled White sp..
Steve.

I have had a chance to play with the camera now and must say i am very happy with the results, it will be perfect for getting nearer to those Butterflies that refuse a close-up.

Hi all, is this a Marsh Fritillary?, Spotted by me in Portugal last week.
Steve.

I did buy it... and it seems very good, just need to try it out in the field now.

Brilliant, Thanks Neil,Neil and Mark for taking the time to reply, I shall purchase the Panasonic as you all suggest. Just thought i would mention that despite not posting on this site as much as i used to i still look in most days, I actively look for and record Butterflies in my part of Essex, las...

My compact digital is great for carrying in a pocket almost everywhere i go but it keeps letting me down in macro mode, see pic, and its hopeless for taking pictures of Butterflies that are further than 6 feet away, so i am considering getting a better camera that can take a great Macro pic and zoom...

Hi all, Whilst looking for Colephora sp [moths] , i saw this odd looking thing, i had no idea what it was but it looked like a caterpillar of some sort so i popped it onto a leaf and too a few pics, the last pic shows it after i returned it to its resting place.
Steve.

Its been a while, Couple of new species for me..

Just spent a lovely week in Derbyshire, lots of sunshine and some top notch pub grub, what more could you want.
2 new Moths that are not resident in Essex.
Mottled Grey and a Acleris hyemana along with a Red Grouse which were quite common on amongst the Heather.

Nice to see some Moths at last, did my first trap in the new wood last night and most of the usual Spring species turned up.

First Moth trap of the year led to a Dotted Border, March Moth, Small Quaker and a Chestnut, also 4 Caloptilia semifascia in a Tunnel.