Andy Brown

FISHiEE · Post by **FISHiEE** » Thu Dec 17, 2015 10:45 am

David M wrote:
FISHiEE wrote:I'm thinking your large copper might be purple shot copper?
Have to say that the Purple Shot Coppers I've seen all have a noticeably darker ground colour on the underside hindwing than this specimen, but the upperwing undersides do have smaller spots than the guides indicate for dispar.

Hm... not sure what I was thinking or seeing last night. I can't see anything other than large copper when I look at it now! I could have swore the solid band of orange on the underside hind wing was dots fading to nothing last night!

Mikhail · Post by **Mikhail** » Thu Dec 17, 2015 1:37 pm

Have just seen your posting of 4 Dec., and the unidentified bush-cricket. It is a final instar nymph of the Wartbiter.

M.

andy brown · Post by **andy brown** » Fri Dec 18, 2015 1:40 pm

Thanks Mikhail for the ID, will be posting more pics of grasshoppers later from the trip, so if you can help that would be appreciated.

All,
Again if you can help/confirm any of the ID's I have posted that would help a lot so don't be afraid to question as I am certainly no expert.

Anyway here is the latest batch pictures from Day 3 - in the Voynovo Reservoir; Sveshtari Thracian Tombs regions, sorry about the quality of the pictures as some were really just record shots and as most know trying to get the best shot in midday sun at 30 degrees isn't always easy.

: Lesser Spotted Fritillary - Melitaea trivia

: Adonis Blue -Polyommatus (Lysandra) bellargus

: Marbled Fritillary - Brenthis daphne

: Chequered Blue - Scolitantides orion Female

: Silver-studded Blues - Plebejus argus

: Large Skipper - Ochlodes venatus

: Tufted Marbled Skipper - Carcharodus flocciferus

Thanks

Andy

Post by **Padfield** » Fri Dec 18, 2015 10:05 pm

Hi Andy. I've been so busy recently I haven't kept up at all with the diaries. Lovely pictures of brilliant butterflies here - not least the wonderful maturna, a species I've never seen.

Unless eastern individuals are very different, I incline against Reverdin's for your blues. A useful feature for this butterfly, in central Europe at least, is the pure white fringe. This is particularly helpful for females. Dirty fringes mean Idas or Silver-studded. In addition, the general feel and tone is wrong for Reverdin's. I'll come back when it's not very late at night and see if I still agree with me!

Guy

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Fri Dec 18, 2015 10:24 pm

Some cracking shots very cheering after a week of grim weather - mild but wet

That Scarce Frit is just lush

Have a goodun

Wurzel

andy brown · Post by **andy brown** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 8:57 am

Thanks for the Heads up Guy on the Reverdin's I see what you mean about the dirty fringes in comparison, I will wait until you have had a chance to reassess. The guide was confident it was Reverdin's but as with all these trips he only has a second or two to look at our photo's and give us an appraisal so any definitive ID is always where I am trying to get to. Also what are your thoughts on the White?

Thanks in advance

Andy

andy brown · Post by **andy brown** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 6:03 pm

Hi, Here are the remaining pictures from Day 3 - in the Voynovo Reservoir; Sveshtari Thracian Tombs regions

: Sloe Hairstreak - Satyrium acaciae

: Violet (Weaver's) Fritillary Weaver's - Boloria (Clossiana) dia

: Small Copper - Lycaena phlaeas

: Heath Fritillary - Melitaea (Mellicta) athalia

: Chestnut Heath - Coenonympha glycerion

: Oberthür's Grizzled Skipper - Pyrgus armoricanus

: Oberthür's Grizzled Skipper - Pyrgus armoricanus

Thanks

Andy

David M · Post by **David M** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 9:36 pm

Welcome images again, Andy, particularly your Chestnut Heath, which looks totally different to the ones I see in the French Alps.

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Sun Dec 27, 2015 10:47 pm

I agree with David, that Chestnut Heath is a real cracker

Have a goodun

Wurzel

andy brown · Post by **andy brown** » Fri Jan 01, 2016 2:20 pm

Happy new year to all,

Here are some pictures from Day 4, N of Razgrad; N of Kotel; near Zheravna Village

These firebugs were all over the place

: Firebug - Pyrrhocoris apterus

This was on the same wall as the Firebugs any help with possible ID appreciated

: Suspect Bagworm Pupae case

Some Moths

: 70.059 [BF 1742] Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata)

: 49.179 [BF 1080] Olethreutes arcuella

: 70.229 [BF 1909] Speckled Yellow (Pseudopanthera macularia)

: Burnet Moth Larvae

And the Butterflies

: Black-veined White - Aporia crataegi

: Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus

: Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus.

Regards

Andy

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Fri Jan 01, 2016 10:26 pm

Stunning Black-veined White shot Andy - that was a species I was hoping to see in Czech Republic but missed out on

Happy New Year! Have a goodun

Wurzel

andy brown · Post by **andy brown** » Sat Jan 09, 2016 1:38 pm

Here are the rest of my pictures from Day 4, N of Razgrad; N of Kotel; near Zheravna Village

: Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus..

: Not sure maybe a Species of fruit fly

: A species of cockroach

: 70.291 [BF 1966] Black-veined Moth (Siona lineata)

: Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus...

: Large Copper - Lycaena dispar

: Mazarine Blue - Polyommatus (Cyaniris) semiargus

: Mazarine Blue - Polyommatus (Cyaniris) semiargus

: Mazarine Blue - Polyommatus (Cyaniris) semiargus

Cheers

Andy

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Sat Jan 09, 2016 9:42 pm

HI Andy,

An enviable selection there !. Of particular envy are the Mazarine Blue and the Large Copper.
Lovely images..

All the best,
Trevor.

andy brown · Post by **andy brown** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 8:19 am

Some pics from the weekend, Went to Havant Thicket with FishEE Friday for Adders and here are a Few picture of the result probably saw half a dozen between us and a couple of grass snakes, also plenty of Brimstone, 1 comma, couple of peacocks and Tortoiseshells.

Then Sunday went to see Pauline for the opportunity to take a look and photo her latest collection of cats, not sure how she does the work with the menagerie she has, cheers anyway Pauline

Cheers

Andy

Pauline · Post by **Pauline** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 11:39 am

Some nice shots Andy

Just goes to show what a better camera can achieve ....... and I guess the skill of the photographer has a little to do with it also

FISHiEE · Post by **FISHiEE** » Thu Mar 31, 2016 4:28 pm

Just spotted this. Went back Monday and found 4 adders between the showers. It was surprising what little sunshine it took to bring them out. I guess if they're out of hibernation they try and grab whatever they can! Then again on Monday and found 5. Several in the same spots each day and some new ones in new spots.

andy brown · Post by **andy brown** » Sat Aug 06, 2016 11:51 am

Afternoon all,

Not really been doing much on the butterfly front this year, just focusing on the moths really, here are a couple of crackers from July from my garden trap for the mother's amongst you.

28.020 [B&F: 0650] Dasycera oliviella

35.064 [BF 0734] Argolamprotes micella

Cheers

Andy

andy brown · Post by **andy brown** » Fri Nov 04, 2016 12:08 pm

Finally got out and done some butterfly stuff albeit late in the year in search for small copper ovum and larvae and here are the results

Andy

Post by **Vince Massimo** » Fri Nov 04, 2016 12:43 pm

Nice find, Andy

The data on your image of the pupa shows that it was taken on 30th October, which is very late to find one at this stage. All the books say that the this species overwinters as a 3rd/4th instar larva, so it would be interesting if you could monitor the development of the pupa if it is close to home.

Vince

FISHiEE · Post by **FISHiEE** » Fri Nov 04, 2016 12:46 pm

Nice pics Andy!

Am I blind as I don't see a pupae in any of them Vince?!?

Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown

Re: Andy Brown