peacock lava?

birdy43 · Post by **birdy43** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:29 pm

went to chambers farm wood lincs. on 17th jun. there was 1 marshfrit. in little scrubbs meadow, also 1 grizzeld skipper, large skipper, common blue and meadow brown. elswhere , comma, ringlet and these lava of which there where about 20 clumps in nettle, and i think are peacock.

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:46 pm

Yes - these look like Peacock larvae to me - jet black with white speckles.

You may also have seen Small Tortoiseshell larvae too. These are more green/yellow.

Cheers,

- Pete

George · Post by **George** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:06 pm

Recently visited Highnam Woods (7-8 miles from Gloucester) - there were approx 7-800 Peacock larvae on several nettle beds. I have never seen so many before! Is this going to be a good year for Peacocks?

birdy43 · Post by **birdy43** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:37 pm

the lava i saw must have been 200+, and stretched 2-3ft would these have been from a single female, or do they group lay?. also saw this moth at chambers wood in the butterfly garden.

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:15 pm

Looks like a Broad-boardered Bee Hawkmoth.

Martin.