April 2014

[Jack Harrison]

Well done. I have never seen a White Admiral larva.

Is the fact that it is 3rd instar already suggestive of an early season for White Admiral?

Jack

[badgerbob]

Excellent find of the White Admiral larva. Hope I get to see it. On my home patch the Wall Brown numbers continue to grow slowly with 3 having a battle this morning. Probably 5 in total seen. The pupa is changing almost daily and another nearly fully grown larva found. Dingy and Grizzled Skipper numbers also growing. Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock larvae together in a area of nettles nearby. Computer taking much longer to repair which is a little frustrating.

[lee3764]

We had 48 sightings of about 30 different Pearl-bordered Frits at Murrayton nr. Looe this afternoon(19th April)!! 1 of the female Pearls was egglaying too....1 egg on underside of Dog Violet leaf and 1 laid on underside of a Celedine leaf right next to a Dog Violet plant. Access to cliff path only with permission through the Monkey Sanctuary (Private) as cliff path closed! Had 3 x Dingy Skippers & 1 x Small Copper, 5 Wall Browns, 8 Speckled Woods, 20+ Peacocks, 1 x Comma, 1 x Large White & 11+ Holly Blues too!! What an afternoon!!!!!!!! Happy days!! Cheers....Lee Slaughter (Par, Cornwall).

[Coopera]

Found 4 Orange-Tip eggs yesterday at Kingston Lacy, Dorset.

[downland boy]

My thanks to Pawpawsaurus, David M, William, Neil, Jack and Badger Bob for their appreciation. The attached photograph shows the larva more in context with its surroundings and may be helpful to others searching out this insect. I apologise in advance if I am teaching anyone to suck eggs but it can be tricky to find and I find it is easier to look for its feeding signs (which can be seen in the photo) in the first instant. When not feeding, the larva will rest away from the leaf cluster often in a 'tail and head up' posture. It is worth remembering that the larva is a shade loving insect and I have found that it is a waste of time searching lush honeysuckle growth in full or partial sunshine. The larva is much more likely to be found on very wispy growth with only a few leaf clusters on the stem and well into the shade.....the sort of growth that you might walk past without noticing......then starts the problem of trying to get a half decent photograph in subdued light and with automatic focus!

[Lee Hurrell]

Well done on the White Admiral larva - great pictures.

I saw my first ever adult White Admiral back when I was a lad on a family picnic in Bedgebury Pinetum.

Best wishes

Lee

[Coopera]

Sorry to bore you with more Clouded Yellows, but I couldn't resist this pair on 17 April. Many people have remarked on the scarcity of Red Admirals this spring; my only sighting this year was in early March. However, on 16 April I spotted this folded leaf which contained a plump Red Admiral caterpillar, which is probably indicative of overwintering in the larval stage once again.

I didn't realise Red Admiral larvae could overwinter? Have there been cases of this before..

[Pete Eeles]

I didn't realise Red Admiral larvae could overwinter?

In general, they don't; our cold winters (when we have cold winters!) kill them off.

Have there been cases of this before..

Yes - Nick Bowles (Upper Thames) and I both observed this in 2006 (I think!), as noted in British Wildlife magazine where Nick and Richard Fox (BC) have a regular roundup of butterfly and moth sightings. I'm sure there are other records of this too.

Cheers,

- Pete

[Lee Hurrell]

Grizzled and Dingy Skippers out at Denbies, Surrey today.

Photos to follow in my diary.

Lee

[Coopera]

In general, they don't; our cold winters (when we have cold winters!) kill them off.

Yes - Nick Bowles (Upper Thames) and I both observed this in 2006 (I think!), as noted in British Wildlife magazine where Nick and Richard Fox (BC) have a regular roundup of butterfly and moth sightings. I'm sure there are other records of this too.

Cheers,

- Pete[/quote]

Oh right, but it is possible.. that's interesting! I'll have to keep an eye out next winter for them, thankyou for that.

[downland boy]

Well done. I have never seen a White Admiral larva.

Is the fact that it is 3rd instar already suggestive of an early season for White Admiral?

Jack

Hi Jack, to be honest, I'm not too sure. As ever, an increase in the rate of larval development will depend on continuing good weather. Frohawk says that the White Admiral larva reaches full growth after 4 moults and so 'my' larva has some way to go yet with another 2 moults and then pupation. I will certainly follow its progress in the coming weeks.
Downland boy

[andy brown]

Hi,

A couple if Pics from Noar Hill the weekend

Duke of Burgundy

Glow-worm Larvae

Cheers

Andy

[nomad]

Andy - nice Picture of a Duke on cowslip, looks like a female.

[badgerbob]

Heavy rain today until mid afternoon when I went to see how the Wall Brown pupa was doing. The larva that I stumbled across yesterday was in the same spot complete with rain drops!! The pupa had changed yet again but it was some time before an adult butterfly was seen and this was a smart female Wall Brown. After this 3 males seen and one Small Tortoiseshell. Unfortunately the weather improved too late for the skippers to come out. Pictures from the last week will eventually be on my PD soon I hope.

[Hoggers]

Many Small Coppers at Dungeness today

And many more to come by the look of things!

I failed to find any Grizzled Skippers in the trapping area but it shouldn't be long before they start appearing if this fine weather continues.

Happy Hunting

Hoggers

[David M]

Saw a Small Blue this afternoon at Crymlyn Burrows in Swansea (which sadly evaded my camera), along with the following:

Green Veined White 20-30
Orange Tip 10-15 (4 females)
Peacock 6
Small Tortoiseshell 3
Brimstone 2 (1 male, 1 female)

[Rogerdodge]

My annual pilgrimage to Marsland (North Devon/Cornwall Border - between Hartland and Bude) in Mid to late April for the excellent population there of Pearl Bordered Fritillaries.
Met up again with the Warden, Gary Pilkington, and exchanged our sightings and observations.
I saw them in four different areas, and the numbers were very good considering they had only emerged on 14th.
Marsland is a very large area, and finding the best spots requires a little luck or local knowledge.
I am happy to give information if people p.m. me.

Roger

[Lee Hurrell]

Saw a Small Blue this afternoon at Crymlyn Burrows in Swansea

That's an early one? Nice spot, David. I am looking forward to finding my local colony in a couple of weeks. Maybe I should look now!

Best wishes,

Lee

[Lee Hurrell]

His Grace (at least 7) seen at Noar Hill, Hampshire, this morning along with Brimstone (one egg laying), male Orange Tip, Green Veined White, Peacock and Dingy Skipper. Also my first Cuckoo of the year. Marsh Tit also seen.

7 Wood White, Green Veined White, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Speckled Wood seen at Oaken Wood, Surrey, this afternoon.

Photos to follow in my diary.

Lee

[Pauline]

Lovely shot of the Duke on Cowslip Andy. I'm intrigued by the Glow worm larva. Where was that taken?