www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

"Thanks, Wurzel maybe just the slightest hint of purple "Still more Purple than I've seen this year I got caught out by very inaccurate weather reports all weekend - I just hope that next weekend is fair Cracking White Admiral shot - they can be right pains as even when they do land they seem to pirouette round and round

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Maximus wrote:and Small Tortoiseshell, which we are seeing everywhere at the moment!

Very pleasing to hear that, Mike. Hopefully they'll pick up here in south Wales after the most dismal spring I can remember for them.

Thanks, Wurzel, maybe just a hint of purple

I hope that Small Tortoiseshells buck the trend, David





Today I found two Puss moth larvae, I've not seen them before (apart from in Paulines PD ) what an amazing larva they are. This is a first for me, and makes you realize what non-moth-ers (like me) are missing out on

They were on a sallow, about three feet in height, and in the shots you can see where they have been feeding on the sallow leaves.






This was the second individual, it seems to have a blacker 'saddle', not sure what instar they both are?

Well spotted Mike. Despite their size they blend in really well don't they. My guess would be that they are final instar - their colour can vary between individuals. They are fascinating creatures aren't they and very photogenic. Did you know that they can squirt formic acid as a defence mechanism. The pupa they construct is also incredible. They chew up bark which becomes rock hard and invisible as it matches its background perfectly. I'd be interested to know where you found them.

Hi Pauline, yes they are amazing creatures and they're also such large cats! We found them on a friend's allotment, she was thrilled, as she plants flowers among her vegetables with insects in mind. We recently found some large Mullion moth larvae on her mullion, but I didn't have my camera with me that time

Interesting that you mention their formic acid defence mechanism, and the incredible pupa. I've also seen photos of their flagellae extended when they are alarmed.

Time for us to consider a moth trap - it would probably open up a whole new world of insects.

Fantastic find Mike Really interesting to see how the brown band when seen from the side appears almost to divide the caterpillar up into two smaller green ones? Cryptic camo?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks for that Mike. I have seen the eggs all over (much easier to spot) - Bramshott, Browndown, Chiddingfold, Abbotts Wood etc. It's amazing more larva are not seen but despite their size (can be as thick as a man's finger), they blend in well. If you get a moth trap Mike you'll never have time for anything else However, there are some amazing moth larva out there (esp Hawk moths) as you have discovered

Great find, Mike. These are particularly attractive creatures.

Thanks, Wurzel, Pauline and David


We've not been able to make any butterfly trips lately but over the last few days the garden has provided us with plenty of visiting butterflies.

Several Meadow Browns, Gatekeeper, Painted Lady, Holly Blue, Small Skipper, Red Admiral, Large Whites, Small Whites, Peacocks and a single Brimstone. The only shots taken however were of the following..

Hope things are okay with you Mike at elast the garden has offered some cahcne of getting a butterfly fix - the Small White take off shot is absolutely brilliant

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Beautiful shot of the airborne Small White, Mike. Hope you are able to get out and about again very shortly.

Maximus wrote:...Time for us to consider a moth trap - it would probably open up a whole new world of insects...

It would indeed Mike...but it is a slippery slope
Once you succumb to the dark side, you will be amazed at what is about in your garden that you were previously unaware of.
When I started running a trap in my garden I promised myself that I would stick to the larger(macro) moths but I soon got sucked into trying to identify the micros as well...and then there are a variety of other insects that turn up.

Cheers,

Neil.

Thanks, Wurzel, things are not too bad with us at at the moment

The White in flight was a fluke shot, David We got out yesterday which was very enjoyable.

One day, Neil, we will probably succumb to the dark side



First Gatekeeper and Painted Lady in our garden this morning.

Lovely shots Max, looks like the Painted Lady is spreading her wings all over now Goldie

Thanks, Goldie, the Painted Lady certainly is becoming widespread now



MH Down 2nd August


My sister was staying with us for a few days and wanted to take a trip to MH Down, so off we went, our first trip out for a while. I had looked at the forecast before we went, which promised light cloud in the afternoon, but we arrived in full sunshine and 25 degree temps with a fair breeze.

Upon entering the site the first butterfly we encountered was, not surprisingly, a Painted Lady, which proved difficult to approach and was very lively.

There were quite a few across the site.


Walking along the footpath we found a group of Brimstones, both male and female, busy nectaring in preparation for hibernation. Being so preoccupied they allowed a close approach.


I was lining up for a shot of a female nectaring on a Scabious flower, when another settled on the same flowerhead.


There were plenty of Chalkhill Blues around, both male and female, but they were very lively in the hot conditions. There were also a few very fresh second brood Common Blues and Brown Argus.


And a couple of Small Blues, including this female ovipositing on Kidney Vetch.


We saw a few fresh Peacocks and a single Red Admiral, which appeared to have had a hard life. No Small Torts were seen.


This Meadow Brown was posing nicely with it’s wings open.


We also found two Clouded Yellows, our first of the year, nectaring on Knapweed flowers. As usual they didn’t spend long on each flowerhead and were very touchy, so it was a case of trying to second-guess which would be the next one they landed on.


It was a nice afternoon out at a lovely site that we’ve not visited for some time.

That 2 for 1 Brimstone shot was a good catch and your Meadow Brown is rather unusual, I don't think I've ever seen one with an extra spot on the forewings like that.

Great shots of that vibrant yellow, Clouded Yellow, Mike, It looks very fresh,
possibly home grown. This species has taken my season into November!.

All the best,
Trevor.

Great shots of the Clouded Yellow Mike, I can only keep repeating the usual in my garden, I'd swop you some for a Clouded yellow Goldie

Fantastic stuff Mike - especially the "burst out of the screen' Cloudy and the 'excessa' Meadow Brown - I didn't think that they showed the extra spots like Hedgies, looks like I better start counting spots on this species as well now

Have a goodun

Wurzel

I didn't notice the extra spot until I saw your comment, Bugboy, well spotted Perhaps I'd better start looking a bit closer at Meadow Browns from now on

Thanks, Trevor, yes I remember how CY's extended your season last year

Thanks, Goldie, I'd swap you a Clouded Yellow if I could

Thanks, Wurzel, nice to see you back From now on I'm also going to start counting the spots on Meadow Browns




4th August

A trip to Noar Hill today looking for Brown Hairstreaks, but despite a careful search of the site, we found none. However we did find enough other species to keep us occupied.

Only a few years ago the Hemp Agrimony would be covered with nectaring Peacocks, Red Admirals, Small Tortoiseshells and Commas But at least there were several Peacocks and Red Admirals to be seen on this occasion. Some lovely fresh Painted Ladies did help to make up for the lack of the other species.


There were plenty of Brimstones however.


Second brood Common Blue and Brown Argus did not appear as plentiful as in previous years, although several fresh examples of each were seen.


The real surprise was finding this male Chalkhill Blue, the first that I’ve ever seen at Noar, it would be interesting to know where he originated from.