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Brilliant Photos Pete, and congratulations on your newest arrival

Thanks all!

Coming up for air
I've had an extremely hectic couple of weeks and seem to be constantly traveling - but did manage to pop in to see the Marsh Fritillary colony on North Bull Island last week to see how the larvae are progressing. I'm pleased to say that the floodwaters have largely disappeared, and larvae are still around in good numbers. Some larvae are in their final instar and will be on the wing in mid-May I suspect ... incredibly early! They're also starting to divide up into much smaller groups, as one would expect. Some photos below. The 2 most interesting photos are the last 2 ... the penultimate photo shows cocoons of an Apanteles species of wasp, and the last photo shows that the larvae will munch on even the most leathery leaves of Devil's-bit Scabious.
Cheers,

- Pete

Great images, Pete. I hope to get out soon to explore the marshy areas near to my home on the Gower to see if I can find any Marsh Frit larvae.

Conditions have been decent thus far in 2014 so I expect there to be a good emergence.

Congratulations for your recent good news, Pete. Fabulous!

Lovely Marsh Frits too.

Best wishes,

Lee

Thanks David / Lee!

Busy, busy, busy
The season seemed to go into overdrive today, with a friend informing me of at least a dozen Duke of Burgundy at Noar Hill today. Things at home were also showing signs of the season really kicking off! First off, I had an Orange-tip emerge and released him outside, just long enough for me to grab a shot before we parted company. A female will emerge tomorrow, judging by the colours showing strongly through the pupa. I also had a few Peacock flying around and, this evening, several Holly Blue were attracted to a laurel bush that is in full sun as the light starts to fade ... the individual below is still there now and I'll see if I can get an open wing shot tomorrow if he's not gone!
The Silver-studded Blue larvae I'm rearing are just changing into their 4th instar, and getting more colourful by the minute. Both green and brown forms are present, and they're about 8mm in length at the moment. The first photo of the brown form shows the larva extending its Newcomer's glands, which are used to provide secretions to ants that are then attracted to the larva, and provide it a level of protection. I've also included a video showing the larva extending the glands (and will try and get better videos shortly), as well as a comparison shot of the 2 forms. Surprisingly, this species seems to do best on cut foodplant in a plastic box!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m65IU21oIvU[/video] Cheers,

- Pete

Really interesting photographs there, Pete.

You seem to seriously have your hands full right now given all your commitments, so thanks for taking the time to share these.

Some Firsts!
I've seen a few new species for me this year over the last couple of days. A brief walk at Woolhampton Gravel Pits turned up several Green-veined White, along with the usual suspects of Orange-tip, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock. Given the recent sightings of Duke of Burgundy, one of my favourite butterflies, I decided to pay a visit to Noar Hill and came across my first Speckled Wood and Dingy Skipper of the year while there. The male Dukes seem to occupy the same territories year after year at this site, and it's rather strange to be able to walk to a particular pit or hollow and expect to find my quarry! But, lo and behold, a walk straight to the pits at the back of the reserve turned up 5 males. I was particularly interested (given recent discussion on the UKB forums) in studying the variability of the colouring on the male hindwing, and a spectrum of individuals is shown below. The highlight, however, was finding a fresh female which seemed to stay in one particular area, since I managed to relocate her almost an hour after first finding her. This particular Duchess is full of eggs and didn't fly very far at all. What an amazing start to the season. I can't believe it's only mid-April!

Cheers,

- Pete

I think that last DoB shot is lovely Pete. Glad you had such a successful day.

Yes. Great images again, Pete (even though I'm yet to see a female DoB).

Hi Pete,
That last shot's a stonker! I wish the mid April to June period would last six months!
BWs, Neil

Those last two female D of B photos sure are some pretty serious eye candy Pete

Brilliant, Pete! I kept my eyes peeled for Dukes today but 17th April really would be very early out here.

Guy

Neil Hulme wrote:Hi Pete,
That last shot's a stonker! I wish the mid April to June period would last six months!
BWs, Neil

Quite.

There's something particularly intoxicating about this time of year.

I don't think there's any moment in the calendar more invigorating than this.

Agreed about both the last shot (any tips there Pete - time of day, habitat as I've been trying for one like that over the last three seasons?) and this time of year lasting 6 months . Looks like I'll have to try my Duke site tomorrow - oh it's a hard life

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks for the kind comments everyone!

Wurzel wrote:Agreed about both the last shot (any tips there Pete - time of day, habitat as I've been trying for one like that over the last three seasons?) and this time of year lasting 6 months . Looks like I'll have to try my Duke site tomorrow - oh it's a hard life

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Hi Wurzel - I found her around midday (I wasn't able to get to the site any earlier) and she was more-or-less in the same spot a couple of hours later. Find any cowslip-covered chalk pit and have a good look around - at Noar Hill those at the back and middle of the reserve (when looking away from the road) seem to be the most productive. The males will be guarding their territories so don't fly too far away if disturbed, and the females can usually be found resting in between bouts of egg-laying.

Cheers,

- Pete

I know its already been said by others Pete, but that last shot of the Duchess is simply amazing

Mike

Cheers for the info Pete - I tried my local site but no joy today - perhaps it's still a bit early here so I'll try again in a week or two

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Savernake Forest

A good day spent in the company of Matthew Oates at Savernake Forest in Wiltshire, re-finding several Purple Emperor larvae that we've been following through. The level of predation seems quite high, with many larvae now "missing in action". Having said that, we did manage to relocate a couple of larvae that we thought were long gone, one of which had travelled an incredible 4.5m since it was last seen. The wood is also alive with Orange-tip and Green-veined White, and the main entrance to the forest has the most incredible patch of Cuckooflower I've ever seen. A wonderful place!
Cheers,

- Pete

Hi Pete

Excellent images of the Emperor Larvae I must try and find some of my own one day but I imagine they are incredibly difficult to find

Echoing others comments, those last two Duke of Burgundy photos are absolutely stunning

jackz432r wrote:Excellent images of the Emperor Larvae I must try and find some of my own one day but I imagine they are incredibly difficult to find
Echoing others comments, those last two Duke of Burgundy photos are absolutely stunning

Thanks! Yes, Emperor larvae can be very difficult to find - you need to be in the right wood, with the right sallows where females lay (in shade), at the right time of year (when the larvae are easiest to find). So yes - some planning required!

Cheers,

- Pete