www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Thanks Goldie, I did pop back to MHD as I could not miss the chance with the weather due to change down here and I think I did get a couple of better shots along with some photo's of other butterflies this time along with a couple of beetles from yesterday but much better one of the Golden-Bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle. I might make Long horn beetles my target group next year as I plan to retire in April (not counting) . Anyway here goes and apologies for the amount of Common Blue but it was a stunning fresh example I hope I did it justice.
Cheers

Andy

Here are a few pictures from my wanderings in Wiltshire predominately with John (FISHiEE), an eclectic mix as usual as the weather was much more windy that forecast which meant butterfly photography was nigh on impossible.

Adonis Blue 1.49.210 [BF 1125] Ancylis unculana This moth is Nationally scarce (Nb) and the first I have seen Yellow Hammer Marsh Fritillary Burnt-tip Orchid 66.003 [BF 1634] Lackey (Malacosoma neustria) Abia sericea (male) 66.010 [BF 1640] Drinker (Euthrix potatoria) Broad-bodied Chaser-Libellula depressa Female 49.115 [BF 0942] Aethes piercei this moth is also Nationally scarce (Nb) and fortunately is find them in the same spot each year and saw at least 4 yesterday Of for wood whites on Wednesday assuming they are not to past it and will post my findings

A fascinating and esoteric selection, Andy. Very attractive orchids in particular.

Dave

Yes, that's a phenomenally eclectic range, Andy, and thanks for sharing it.

Those Burnt Tip Orchids are especially beautiful.

Thanks for your comments guys, Decided on a trip out to Tugley wood for mainly wood whites, got there early in the vain hope of finding roosting specimens as I had to be back to walk the dog for lunch time. Anyway no roosting butterflies were found but it started of warm and got incredibly hot in the rides with no or little wind but became unbearable by 10:30. In total I saw approx. 8 individuals with 2 female’s egg laying the first of which was about 9:30 which I managed to take a picture or 2 of the results. Loads of Common spotted orchids on display and a couple of other items of interest thrown in (It wouldn’t be me otherwise). Sorry for the grainy images it was not until later I realised I had the camera on ISO 500 (schoolboy error), may have to go back on Friday and try again.

49.214 [BF 1126] Ancylis badiana Wood White Courting Wood White ovum Common Spotted Orchid Bagworm or Case Bearer Pine Weevil (Hylobius abietis) Spiderlings Cheers

Andy

Popped over to Bramshott common for the Silver Studded Blues with the plan to meet FISHiEE for 5am, so a ridiculously early start which meant the alarm going off at 3:45. Anyway found plenty of our target species straight away with a majority being very fresh examples. I got absolutely soaked through with the damp grass but I am happy with the results except the dew covered ones I just cannot get to grips with. A few past it Common Blues were found amongst a selection of other insects. Getting a Canon 80d next month so may be on here asking for some advice on any specific settings needed from the macro perspective. I was home by 9am so here are a few pics from this morning.
Any help with this one appreciated Cheers

Andy

Absolutely beautiful shots Andy, (are you selling your old camera) If I could take shots like that I'd be very happy, if I meet you again this summer may be you could give me some pointers Goldie

They all look pretty damn good to me!!

Thanks for you comments Goldie & John, here is a selection of moths from the last weeks or so with a couple new for garden and one Nationally scarce (Nb), I have added length in MM's for a couple to give you an idea if the size.

07.014 [BF 0143] Nematopogon metaxella 20.007 [BF 0409b] Cypress Tip Moth (Argyresthia cupressella) 4-5 mm 65.005 [BF 1648] Pebble Hook-tip (Drepana falcataria) 70.144 [BF 1860] Green Pug (Pasiphila rectangulata) 73.012 [BF 2434] Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis) 16.014 [BF 0436] Pseudoswammerdamia combinella 7mm 49.166 [BF 1076] Celypha lacunana 49.254 [BF 1133] Epinotia bilunana 62.010 [BF 1449] Elegia similella - Nationally scarce (Nb) 73.114 [BF 2305] Small Angle Shades (Euplexia lucipara) 20.018 [BF 0417] Argyresthia spinosella 5mm 69.016 [BF 1991] Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor) BW

Andy

Hi Andy,

A stunning series of Silver-studded Blue images and that is a great selection of moths

Cheers,

Neil.

Impressive shots of the moths Andy. I'm tempted to dig out the trap and have a go at some of the micro ones myself but not sure my light would attract them quite so well as yours!

I'm wondering if the Wasp looking thing might be some kind of sawfly but not nerr any books to look them up...

Those Silver Studs are gorgeous Andy, a cracking sequence from jewel bedecked through to brilliantly sharp fresh individuals

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Beautiful SSB pictures The open wing shot is stunning!

Thanks for your comments everyone, Missed most of the butterflies again this year as I am concentrating on the moths no excuse really, but anyway managed to get out the weekend and here are a few pictures from the day.

First site not much around but we did find this lovely fresh Female Chalkhill Then onto shipton Bellinger which was the most packed I had ever seen and what with the rifle range then the quad bikes going up and down was not the most peaceful day out. We did find our quarry and you had to get some quick picks before you were swamped with people barging in I don't think I shall at the weekend in the future we did fin a lovely female away from the main area which meant we were undisturbed allowing us to get some nice shots. First a couple of Brimstones which were in tip top condition followed but the Brown Hairstreaks.
We did find a couple of males but these were really quite worn and I think fresh females were in the significant majority, also lots of fresh Red Admiral apparently a Dingy Skipper was seen Small Blues and the other usual suspects for this time of year.

Get my new camera tomorrow so really need to get out this weekend to try it out Canon 5DS R so if any of you have used one for macro and have any tips/settings preferences please let me know.

Cheers

Andy

Hello Andy,
Just noticed your unidentified Bee / Wasp from early June ,don,t know if you,ve already had an id,and hoping I,m not telling you something you already know , anyway I believe your insect is a Bee-Wolf species( Philanthus) ,which as the name implies they prey on Bee's and suchlike, not sure which one ......... I,m happy to be corrected. Some superb images by the way !
Regards Allan.W.

Great set of shots Andy I was at Shipton on Saturday and I know what you mean, I found myself in a queue at one point and just as I was going to get an great angle on an open wing female someone got a bit over eager and off she went (mind you it's better behaviour than any 'twitch' I've attended). It was better away from the 'pack' and I found a fresh Dingy so I can confirm that species report I'll ask around next time I'm out in case you are to

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Brimstones and Brown Hairstreaks. What a combination. Looks like you had a rewarding day in spite of the noise pollution!

Andy,

Nice Hairstreaks and Brimstones. I doesn't look like you need a new camera, those are cracking!

Regards Kev

Hi, and thanks all. Allan got as far as I could with the Wasp but need more specific photo to fully ID, kev camera has arrived and been out in the garden today trying it out with the Larvae etc. on the nasturtium. Larvae are Large White, Single egg is Small White and group of eggs is Moth ovum but need to look up unless one of you good people know. It was really quite windy but very pleased none the less.
Off out to Old Winchester Hill first thing tomorrow and with little wind will hopefully get some nice roosting shots.
Cheers

Andy

I can see why you're pleased A. - some nice detail there ... but OWH and no wind??? Good luck with that . Looking forward to more shots