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smythric
Posted: Tue May 10, 2022 8:43 pm
by smythric
Attached SPBF ab was seen at Trentishoe Combe on May 9th, 2022. Museum specimens suggest it is ab. extreme transversa
Re: smythric
Posted: Tue May 10, 2022 8:47 pm
by bugboy
Nice looking ab, and welcome to UKB
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Re: smythric
Posted: Wed May 11, 2022 6:29 am
by Mark Tutton
That’s a cracking looking specimen - great find
Cheers
Mark
Re: smythric
Posted: Wed May 11, 2022 9:17 am
by smythric
Thanks bugboy. Actually, I’ve been on UKB for several years. I’m just fairly quiet
![😀](//cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/twitter/twemoji@latest/assets/svg/1f600.svg)
Re: smythric
Posted: Wed May 11, 2022 9:18 am
by smythric
Thanks very much Mark. And, thanks for the research on the ab ID. Much appreciated mate. Cheers Richard
Re: smythric
Posted: Wed May 11, 2022 4:05 pm
by David M
Mighty impressive ab there, Richard.
What a first post on your diary!!
Re: smythric
Posted: Wed May 11, 2022 7:19 pm
by Chris L
Yes, I echo the comments of others, it does look really lovely. A great find.
Re: smythric
Posted: Wed May 11, 2022 7:47 pm
by Wurzel
What a brilliant way to start Smythric
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
That is a cracking find
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: smythric
Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 10:18 am
by smythric
Thanks David, Otep and Wurzel. Actually, for the last few years, I have visited Trentshoe in May searching for HBF 5th instar. I have found it extremely difficult as they spend most of the time under the dead fern litter only briefly showing to eat violets and bask. On Tuesday, however, it rained and I was lucky enough to find both 4th and 5th instar larvae about 20m up the slope. Very pleased.
Re: smythric
Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 9:01 am
by David M
Great find, Richard. I'm not surprised you were pleased.
I presume you get to see plenty of adults too round that area?
Re: smythric
Posted: Sun May 15, 2022 9:05 am
by Neil Freeman
What a great start to your PD with both that SPBF ab and the HBF larvae. Looking forward to you future posts
Cheers,
Neil.
Re: smythric
Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2023 3:41 pm
by smythric
April 13th - Nice to find 5th instar PBF larvae in the Wyre Forest. This one was demolishing violets and basking on a south facing slope. The area was full of wood ants, however, they did not approach PBF larvae.
Re: smythric
Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2023 9:36 pm
by David M
Great sighting, Richard. I suppose we have to assume the adults will be flying in 3 weeks time or so. It's a great time of year if weather conditions are favourable.
Re: smythric
Posted: Sat May 13, 2023 12:09 pm
by smythric
Very sorry for my late reply David. I haven't checked in for a while due to travel.Yes, I believe they are out in Wy
re Forest now. I visited North Somerset and North Devon last week and the Heath and High Brown Fritillaries look to be 10 days late. Heath Fritillary were in final install on May 10th.
Re: smythric
Posted: Sat May 13, 2023 7:26 pm
by David M
No worries, Richard. Thanks for the heads-up on the HBF larvae. Will help me plan later this summer.
Re: smythric
Posted: Mon May 15, 2023 7:43 am
by smythric
Cheers David
Re: smythric
Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 5:19 pm
by smythric
High Brown Fritillary larvae seem very late with larvae in South Wales being only in 5th instar today. Last year I saw 6th instar in Devon on May 10th.[img][attachment=1]
Re: smythric
Posted: Mon May 22, 2023 10:43 am
by smythric
First time I've found Dark Green Fritillary larvae in the Heddon Valley a couple of weeks ago. They were both 6th instar and seemed a week ahead of HBF larvae.
Re: smythric
Posted: Mon May 22, 2023 2:12 pm
by Benjamin
Excellent returns for what was no doubt a lot of effort Richard - super stuff.
Re: smythric
Posted: Mon May 22, 2023 8:15 pm
by David M
Excellent observations, Richard. These larvae are extremely attractive in their own right.