May 2018

[David M]

Some stunning females in that sequence, Allan. That early start was very rewarding.

Good to hear the numbers you're reporting too.

[Jack Harrison]

Long cold winter, May's sunshine and warmth coupled with adequate rain to stop plants desiccating and 2018 will surely go down as one of those years to remember. Far fewer butterflies of course here in N.Scotland than in S.England but even so, impressive numbers of whites various. For example, Small Whites and Orange tips are normally quite shy here. Not so this year. Where did they come from? In my garden and I can look out from my "den" at a wonderful display of Bowles Mauve that acts ,like a magnet.

If you haven't yet grown Bowles Mauve then it is a must. Very easy from cuttings but the plants last two or three years before becoming woody and past their best. Proven to survive (in my garden) down to minus 12C.

Jack

[peterc]

I found a 4th instar White-letter Hairstreak larva after half an hour's searching on the elms at Six Hills Common yesterday morning. It was underneath a leaf 1-2 feet above ground and 3 yards away from a younger larva I saw 2 weeks ago. Hopefully it will pupate at the same spot .

ATB

Peter

[Pauline]

Great find Peter Not something I've seen (yet) in the wild

[peterc]

Great find Peter Not something I've seen (yet) in the wild

Thanks Pauline. Fingers crossed for a successful change to a pupa in the near future

Good to see that you're back on the forum. I always enjoy reading your posts.

ATB

Peter

[Greenie]

Peter ,
Almost identical to the one I posted last Saturday .
My one spun a silk girdle and settled down in the rolled leaf .
On returning a few days after finding , it had pupated in the rolled leaf .

[Allan.W.]

Thanks for comments re; Grizzled Skips Pauline,glad you liked them ,I,m very fortunate to have 3 excellent sites ,within ten minutes of home , and one in particular,although numbers aren.t high ,with generally less than 7-8 seen per session ,every one is abberant ,there used to be another site about a mile and a half away ,where 90% of the population was abberant and normal specimens were scarce ,sadly at this site where
10-15 years ago you,d see 25-30 every visit,last season just one individual was seen , and this year ,numerous visits by several people not one ….
a sad end . Regards Allan.W.

[Rivoldini]

The Durham Arguses have just emerged. Bishop Middleham Quarry, 31st.

[Allan.W.]

A walk up on the downs near home late afternoon ,to watch the Adonis Blues going to roost ,was very rewarding ,all was quiet
by 7pm. regards Allan,W.

[peterc]

A White-letter Hairstreak was seen in the Greenford area yesterday (31 May) which is incredibly early.

ATB

Peter