April 2014
- Jack Harrison
- Posts: 4640
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:55 pm
- Location: Nairn, Highland
- Contact:
Re: April 2014
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
Is the fact that it is 3rd instar already suggestive of an early season for White Admiral?
Jack
Re: April 2014
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.
Re: April 2014
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).
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
Re: April 2014
Found 4 Orange-Tip eggs yesterday at Kingston Lacy, Dorset.
-
- Posts: 234
- Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:05 am
- Location: East Sussex
Re: April 2014
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
- Stock Contributor
- Posts: 2423
- Joined: Mon May 25, 2009 7:33 pm
- Location: Hampshire
Re: April 2014
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
I saw my first ever adult White Admiral back when I was a lad on a family picnic in Bedgebury Pinetum.
Best wishes
Lee
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
Re: April 2014
I didn't realise Red Admiral larvae could overwinter? Have there been cases of this before..Mikhail wrote: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.
- Pete Eeles
- Administrator & Stock Contributor
- Posts: 6809
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:10 pm
- Location: Thatcham, Berkshire
- Contact:
Re: April 2014
In general, they don't; our cold winters (when we have cold winters!) kill them off.Coopera wrote:I didn't realise Red Admiral larvae could overwinter?
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.Coopera wrote:Have there been cases of this before..
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
- Lee Hurrell
- Stock Contributor
- Posts: 2423
- Joined: Mon May 25, 2009 7:33 pm
- Location: Hampshire
Re: April 2014
Grizzled and Dingy Skippers out at Denbies, Surrey today.
Photos to follow in my diary.
Lee
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Photos to follow in my diary.
Lee
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
Re: April 2014
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.
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.
-
- Posts: 234
- Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:05 am
- Location: East Sussex
Re: April 2014
Jack Harrison wrote: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
- Posts: 260
- Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:53 pm
- Location: Horton Heath
- Contact:
Re: April 2014
Hi,
A couple if Pics from Noar Hill the weekend
Cheers
Andy
A couple if Pics from Noar Hill the weekend
Cheers
Andy
Re: April 2014
Andy - nice Picture of a Duke on cowslip, looks like a female. ![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Re: April 2014
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.
Re: April 2014
Many Small Coppers at Dungeness today
Happy Hunting
Hoggers
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
Re: April 2014
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)
Green Veined White 20-30
Orange Tip 10-15 (4 females)
Peacock 6
Small Tortoiseshell 3
Brimstone 2 (1 male, 1 female)
- Rogerdodge
- Posts: 1177
- Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2006 6:06 pm
- Location: North Devon
Re: April 2014
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
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
Cheers
Roger
Roger
- Lee Hurrell
- Stock Contributor
- Posts: 2423
- Joined: Mon May 25, 2009 7:33 pm
- Location: Hampshire
Re: April 2014
David M wrote: Saw a Small Blue this afternoon at Crymlyn Burrows in Swansea
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
Best wishes,
Lee
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
- Lee Hurrell
- Stock Contributor
- Posts: 2423
- Joined: Mon May 25, 2009 7:33 pm
- Location: Hampshire
Re: April 2014
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
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
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
Re: April 2014
Lovely shot of the Duke on Cowslip Andy. I'm intrigued by the Glow worm larva. Where was that taken?