www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

The weather in Lincolnshire, and much of the eastern half of England, has been somewhat tiresome at times this summer, never more so than during the past few weeks as we seem to have been stuck in a fog of cool, cloudy, dank conditions with prevailing winds from the north/north-east/east delivering typical "north sea" days. Our local Brown Hairstreak females have had precious few days of decent egg-laying conditions, and it has been frustrating having the freedom of retirement, but not having the conditions to fully enjoy late summer butterflies.

Fortunately, there are always the early stages to keep me occupied and interested, and this past week I have turned my attention to our local White Admiral populations. With things running about two weeks later than the recent average, the larvae are currently mostly in the 2nd instar.

The butterflies themselves, in common with most species, were late on the wing this year, and numbers in most of my local woods were well down on last summer.
So, it isn't surprising that in many woods I am finding the larvae harder to find than usual. However, it is noticeable that predation rates are also similarly down - maybe this is logical at times of lower population densities and to be expected, but it is really apparent. Usually by the time most of the population is in the 2nd instar I find at least 2 "empty piers" for every larva (i.e. predation rates running at or above 66% at this stage of development). This year, I have found hardly any empty piers at all.

It would be interesting to compare notes with anyone else who also spends time monitoring White Admiral larvae.
Any comments anyone?

Nice sequence, Pete.

I agree regarding the weather. Even here in the west it's transformed from sunshine to thick cloud for the last several days (Monday was the last time I saw the sun properly).

Yes the weather has been infuriating at times, I don't think I've been out looking for butterflies in inclement weather as often as this year! Interesting to see your local WA cats. Last time I was able to get out to Bookham and Ashtead Commons on Tuesday, they were mostly second and third instar and I found a couple already tucked up for winter in their hibernaculums.

David M wrote: ↑Fri Sep 03, 2021 1:54 pm Nice sequence, Pete.

I agree regarding the weather. Even here in the west it's transformed from sunshine to thick cloud for the last several days (Monday was the last time I saw the sun properly).

Thanks David - we have a forecast for much warmer, and, possibly, sunnier weather in a couple of days - I shall believe it when it arrives!

bugboy wrote: ↑Fri Sep 03, 2021 2:27 pm Yes the weather has been infuriating at times, I don't think I've been out looking for butterflies in inclement weather as often as this year! Interesting to see your local WA cats. Last time I was able to get out to Bookham and Ashtead Commons on Tuesday, they were mostly second and third instar and I found a couple already tucked up for winter in their hibernaculums.

Bugboy - agreed. It isn't often that I have seen Red Admirals flying in light rain, but over the past week I have witnessed this several times!
Sounds like your WA cats are a little ahead of ours, as expected I guess, given that they are about 150 miles further south!