Pete Eeles

[Vince Massimo]

Blimey! That woke me up. Beautiful images Pete. I imagine you have lots of photos tucked away like that. Always a joy when you re-discover them. Thanks for sharing .

How long ago were they taken?

Vince

[Pete Eeles]

How long ago were they taken?

Thanks Vince - taken in 2004.

Cheers,

- Pete

[David M]

Hi Pete,
Just what we wanted on a dull January day. Lovely sequence culminating in an iconic image.
Neil

Absolutely. That last image in particular is to die for. Roll on summer.

[Padfield]

Fantastic sequence, Pete.

You will remember I tried to photograph the same thing last summer, in the wild, and it all failed because the pupa had been parasitised. On 5th January this year I was wandering in the same woods and saw a sallow leaf attached to a tree by a silken thread. On closer examination, it turned out that the end of a purple emperor pupa (Diocletian) was still attached to the leaf, 6 months after dying, and despite storms, rain and snow since the failed emergence in July.



I don't mean to hijack your thread, Pete, but I thought this was an interesting follow-up to your sequence, showing the incredible precautions the pupating caterpillar takes to ensure its pupal case remains attached to the plant.

Guy

[Pete Eeles]

Fantastic sequence, Pete.

You will remember I tried to photograph the same thing last summer, in the wild, and it all failed because the pupa had been parasitised. On 5th January this year I was wandering in the same woods and saw a sallow leaf attached to a tree by a silken thread. On closer examination, it turned out that the end of a purple emperor pupa (Diocletian) was still attached to the leaf, 6 months after dying, and despite storms, rain and snow since the failed emergence in July.



I don't mean to hijack your thread, Pete, but I thought this was an interesting follow-up to your sequence, showing the incredible precautions the pupating caterpillar takes to ensure its pupal case remains attached to the plant.

Guy

No problem at all Guy - we all know how much dedication you put into following this, and other, immature stages - and we were all enthralled, despite the ultimate outcome. In fact, I'm rather astounded that the leaf is still attached to the stem and this could well be a new observation for this species, given that a normal emergence would have been in midsummer with no expectation (from me at least) that any leaf fall would occur. Perhaps a humble caterpillar knows better. Certainly an observation to validate this coming year if possible.

Cheers,

- Pete

[Padfield]

I'll get a close-up shot of the attaching thread, then, just in case it is a new observation. I was looking for hibernating larvae and attached leaves are apparently a guide to where summer larvae have secured their resting leaf. It was quite a surprise to find Diocletian still hanging in there.

Guy

[Pete Eeles]

I was looking for hibernating larvae and attached leaves are apparently a guide to where summer larvae have secured their resting leaf.

Indeed - it's certainly known that overwintering larvae occasionally secure the leaf to the stem, but not pupating larvae! Nice find!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Bill S]

Stunning set of images Pete, thanks for sharing.

Bill

[Pete Eeles]

Another set of images recovered from the archives! This time I was fascinated with the transition from larva to pupa and, in particular, how a newly-formed pupa manages to attach its cremaster to the silk pad spun by the larva, given that it needs to remove itself from the larval skin first (demonstrated with a Swallowtail larva). An even more impressive feat when the larva hangs vertically head down! It seems that the pupa remains somewhat-attached to the larval skin while the cremastal hooks connect with the silk pad, and before the pupa then wriggles (sometimes vigorously) to remove the old larval skin. Quite a sight!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Denise]

Wow Pete.
Very interesting with stunning photos too.

[Pete Eeles]

Thanks Denise

Hampshire and Isle of Wight BC Moth Conference

I spent yesterday at my first Hants & IOW moth conference, which was informative from start to finish - some really excellent and in-depth talks covering all manner of subject, ably chaired by BC Regional Officer, Dan Hoare. Things kicked off with a review of the year by Tim Norriss, the branch moth recorder. As well as an update on rare and threatened species, Tim covered some of the recently-found species in the two counties, including coverage of some of the micros, which seemed to be a theme for the conference.

Speaking of which, Tim's presentation was followed by "Micros for Everyone" by Mike Wall (webmaster of the excellent Hantsmoths website (http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/) who gave a fascinating account of micro morphology by aligning the taxonomic ordering with evolutionary characteristics. For example, the most primitive moths still have functional mandibles, rather than a proboscis. I've just bought Evolution of the Insects by Grimaldi and Engel as a result.

Tony Davis then gave us some insights into "A Year in the Life of a BC Moth Conservation Officer" in conserving some of our rarer moths, being treated to a tour through the year discussing various species along the way, some of which we still know very little about (such as larval foodplant, or overwintering stage).

The last presentation of the day was given by the ever-entertaining Dave Green. Dave gave us insights and facts and figures of 5 locations in which he's lived over the years, and the different techniques and records he's managed to obtain along the way. As ever, the anecdotes brought Dave's presentation to life, including a discussion of the problems of having birds, badgers and even foxes at his moth traps!

A selection of members' photos rounded off the day. All in all, a really superb event that I'll definitely be attending next year.

[Lee Hurrell]

Hi Pete,

The last shot of the beautiful freshly emerged male Purple Emperor on page 5.........is it the same shot as the one in the banner of the website?

Cheers

'Eagle Eyes' Hurrell

[Pete Eeles]

Sure is! Well spotted.

Cheers,

- Pete

[Pete Eeles]

More from the archives. This time a Red Admiral experiment! I removed a Red Admiral larva from its protective rolled-up leaf, and placed it on a suitable opened leaf to see what it would do. Not surprisingly, it proceeding to curl the leaf up. Starting at the stem end, it progressively joined each side of the leaf with silk, essentially "zipping up" the length of the leaf until, hey presto, one rolled up leaf with the larva safe inside! Took the chap around 30 minutes in total - a process that is, I believe, normally achieved in darkness when the larva moves from leaf to leaf.

Cheers,

- Pete

[millerd]

Lovely bit of observation, Pete!

99% of the nettle leaves folded up like that that I investigate seem to contain either a) a spider or b) a caterpillar of quite a different type which thrashes around before throwing itself to the ground. I must learn the subtle differences in construction technique...

Dave

[Susie]

I'm really enjoying these sequences of photographs, Pete. Thank you

[Gibster]

99% of the nettle leaves folded up like that that I investigate seem to contain either a) a spider or b) a caterpillar of quite a different type which thrashes around before throwing itself to the ground. I must learn the subtle differences in construction technique...

Hi there,

I'm guessing that your mystery caterpillar would be Pleuroptya ruralis, the Mother of Pearl moth. The leaf is rolled into a tube, and always reminds me of a cigar in shape but is completely hollow. Usually there's a fair amount of frass within and often this remains after the larva has departed. A stand of nettles may have tens of rolls, although usually just a few per clump. The roll is always along the length of the leaf and doesn't seem to be webbed together by silk, as I recall. Hmmm...I'm gonna have to check again in a few months time! If you're square-bashing for records, ruralis is a really easy one to spot!

All the very best,

Gibster.

[millerd]

I'm guessing that your mystery caterpillar would be Pleuroptya ruralis, the Mother of Pearl moth.

Thank you for that... I've always wondered. Every one a disappointment when you've been hoping for a Red Admiral, of course! Not quite as difficcult as looking for Comma caterpillars, which are always under the nettle leaves.

Cheers,

Dave

[Pete Eeles]

Thanks all. Personally, I seem to be able to find Red Admiral larvae from 20 paces and certainly one of the easiest larvae to find! Here's how:

1. First off, the edges of the leaves never overlap one another (i.e. the leaf isn't rolled up like a cigar). You'll notice that the larva neatly threads the two edges of the leaf together perfectly. This only changes when either a) the larva is very large and several leaves are woven together, forming a tent or b) the tent actually contains a pupa.

2. There won't be just one rolled up leaf (unless the larva is very young) but a series of leaves. Many of these will have been abandoned, contain frass (droppings) and have open ends (presumably the last meal on this leaf before the larva moved on). If you find one of these abandoned leaves just keep looking because there will be others nearby. You'll eventually find a huge rolled up leaf whose end is intact. This will contain the larva - and it may be BIG! The different sizes of leaf will give an indication of the path that the larva has taken since it was an egg!

More photos below.

Cheers,

- Pete

Opening a large leaf will reveal a large larva!

A tell-tale tent that contains a Red Admiral pupa

Opening a tent, revealing a pupa

[millerd]

I can't wait to try these tips out. At least I've never found nettle stings bothersome, particularly in the call of duty!

Thanks, Pete.

Dave