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David M wrote:

FISHiEE wrote:I'm thinking your large copper might be purple shot copper?

Have to say that the Purple Shot Coppers I've seen all have a noticeably darker ground colour on the underside hindwing than this specimen, but the upperwing undersides do have smaller spots than the guides indicate for dispar.

Hm... not sure what I was thinking or seeing last night. I can't see anything other than large copper when I look at it now! I could have swore the solid band of orange on the underside hind wing was dots fading to nothing last night!

Have just seen your posting of 4 Dec., and the unidentified bush-cricket. It is a final instar nymph of the Wartbiter.

M.

Thanks Mikhail for the ID, will be posting more pics of grasshoppers later from the trip, so if you can help that would be appreciated.

All,
Again if you can help/confirm any of the ID's I have posted that would help a lot so don't be afraid to question as I am certainly no expert.

Anyway here is the latest batch pictures from Day 3 - in the Voynovo Reservoir; Sveshtari Thracian Tombs regions, sorry about the quality of the pictures as some were really just record shots and as most know trying to get the best shot in midday sun at 30 degrees isn't always easy.
Thanks

Andy

Hi Andy. I've been so busy recently I haven't kept up at all with the diaries. Lovely pictures of brilliant butterflies here - not least the wonderful maturna, a species I've never seen.

Unless eastern individuals are very different, I incline against Reverdin's for your blues. A useful feature for this butterfly, in central Europe at least, is the pure white fringe. This is particularly helpful for females. Dirty fringes mean Idas or Silver-studded. In addition, the general feel and tone is wrong for Reverdin's. I'll come back when it's not very late at night and see if I still agree with me!

Guy

Some cracking shots very cheering after a week of grim weather - mild but wet That Scarce Frit is just lush

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks for the Heads up Guy on the Reverdin's I see what you mean about the dirty fringes in comparison, I will wait until you have had a chance to reassess. The guide was confident it was Reverdin's but as with all these trips he only has a second or two to look at our photo's and give us an appraisal so any definitive ID is always where I am trying to get to. Also what are your thoughts on the White?

Thanks in advance

Andy

Hi, Here are the remaining pictures from Day 3 - in the Voynovo Reservoir; Sveshtari Thracian Tombs regions
Thanks

Andy

Welcome images again, Andy, particularly your Chestnut Heath, which looks totally different to the ones I see in the French Alps.

I agree with David, that Chestnut Heath is a real cracker

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Happy new year to all,

Here are some pictures from Day 4, N of Razgrad; N of Kotel; near Zheravna Village

These firebugs were all over the place This was on the same wall as the Firebugs any help with possible ID appreciated Some Moths And the Butterflies Regards

Andy

Stunning Black-veined White shot Andy - that was a species I was hoping to see in Czech Republic but missed out on

Happy New Year! Have a goodun

Wurzel

Here are the rest of my pictures from Day 4, N of Razgrad; N of Kotel; near Zheravna Village
Cheers

Andy

HI Andy,

An enviable selection there !. Of particular envy are the Mazarine Blue and the Large Copper.
Lovely images..

All the best,
Trevor.

Some pics from the weekend, Went to Havant Thicket with FishEE Friday for Adders and here are a Few picture of the result probably saw half a dozen between us and a couple of grass snakes, also plenty of Brimstone, 1 comma, couple of peacocks and Tortoiseshells.
Then Sunday went to see Pauline for the opportunity to take a look and photo her latest collection of cats, not sure how she does the work with the menagerie she has, cheers anyway Pauline
Cheers

Andy

Some nice shots Andy Just goes to show what a better camera can achieve ....... and I guess the skill of the photographer has a little to do with it also

Just spotted this. Went back Monday and found 4 adders between the showers. It was surprising what little sunshine it took to bring them out. I guess if they're out of hibernation they try and grab whatever they can! Then again on Monday and found 5. Several in the same spots each day and some new ones in new spots.

Afternoon all,

Not really been doing much on the butterfly front this year, just focusing on the moths really, here are a couple of crackers from July from my garden trap for the mother's amongst you.

28.020 [B&F: 0650] Dasycera oliviella 35.064 [BF 0734] Argolamprotes micella Cheers

Andy

Finally got out and done some butterfly stuff albeit late in the year in search for small copper ovum and larvae and here are the results Andy

Nice find, Andy

The data on your image of the pupa shows that it was taken on 30th October, which is very late to find one at this stage. All the books say that the this species overwinters as a 3rd/4th instar larva, so it would be interesting if you could monitor the development of the pupa if it is close to home.

Vince

Nice pics Andy!

Am I blind as I don't see a pupae in any of them Vince?!?