January 2014

[Jack Harrison]

This article about the North Norfolk coastline is worth reading:

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/politics/is ... _1_3236229

But it still doesn't answer my earlier query about the extend of sea water inundation in The Broads and of course, the threat to the Swallowtail.

Jack

[JohnR]

This month must be my best January ever for butterflies outdoors Two Red Admirals and a Speckled Wood on 10th January, a Speckled Wood (probably the same) the following day, and a Brimstone today.

[Matsukaze]

Hi Jack,

I can't comment on the Broads in the last few months, but remember the folks at RSPB Otmoor telling me that one reason the RSPB were taking an interest in the area was to provide reedbed sites that formed an alternative to the Broads, as sea-level rise was going to cause salt to get into them in the none-too-distant future.

[Jack Harrison]

the folks at RSPB Otmoor telling me that one reason the RSPB were taking an interest in the area was to provide reedbed sites that formed an alternative to the Broads

And presumably the Somerset Levels.

Jack

[MikeOxon]

I can't comment on the Broads in the last few months, but remember the folks at RSPB Otmoor telling me that one reason the RSPB were taking an interest in the area was to provide reedbed sites that formed an alternative to the Broads, as sea-level rise was going to cause salt to get into them in the none-too-distant future.

Otmoor has certainly attracted several reedbed specialists, including Bittern, Marsh Harrier, and Bearded Tits over the Winter. One day, perhaps, we shall see Swallowtails and ??? Large Copper?

Mike

[David M]

This month must be my best January ever for butterflies outdoors Two Red Admirals and a Speckled Wood on 10th January, a Speckled Wood (probably the same) the following day, and a Brimstone today.

There can't be many folk who've racked up 3 species before January is out. Impressive stuff.

[badgerbob]

My 3rd butterfly sighting of the year has just happened at High and Over. Once again it was a Red Admiral. The other 2 were both on warm days, this one however is on a much cooler day and was very unexpected.

http://bobsbutterflies.blogspot.com

[IAC]

Hi all,
Does anyone know if it is possible to artificially prolong the life of a Small White butterfly that has emerged in January indoors. I am thinking perhaps of refrigeration? Would that be worth while or a waste of time? Some one has asked me for advice. Could the butterfly shutdown for a period of time? It is probably unlikely considering I dont expect to see any Small Whites for 6-8 weeks minimum.

I have often wondered how butterflies in the wild can survive long bouts of poor weather and thought maybe the same principles could apply.

Its a bit of a cookie question, but I thought I would ask anyway just in case someone has attempted this.

Iain.

[Jack Harrison]

Achieve that prolonged life in humans and you get a Nobel Prize!

Seriously, I have made it work with Orange Tip chrysalises in the fridge kept in from June one year to the April almost two years later; they emerged normally.

However, it happened subsequently with one chrysalis that despite being taken out of the fridge at the normal time (ten months since egg) steadfastly refused to emerge until a full year later.

Worth trying with your Small Whites but I would suggest that you have as much likelihood of success as an England team winning a cricket match. Females though would be more successful.

Jack

[Padfield]

My advice would be first to give the little creature plenty of opportunity, in a controlled environment indoors, to take sugars and enjoy being alive, then let it digest the sugars in the dark for a while, then put it in the fridge for a couple of weeks and see if it can be roused with warmth and a little more sugar at the end of that period. Then, perhaps, repeat ... Small whites do not hibernate as adults and are relatively short-lived butterflies in the wild, so it's difficult to imagine it surviving two months torpid, with no sugar intake. But just possibly, alternating torpor with feeding, it might make it through to see its friends! That would be a triumph!

Guy

[IAC]

Thanks, Jack and Guy.
It would certainly be a long shot. But worth a try perhaps. I will suggest this Guy..it would be very interesting to see just how long it could tough it out. If successful at all I shall report back.

Jack you could always start backing the Scottish Cricket team

Cheers.

Iain.