www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Anyone got advice? I was out yesterday (while sun was out and it got warm) I saw a small magpie moth (i wanted a shot of it for a while, but could never get it properly) I leaned down and feld t nip and looked down and a clegg was on my hand.

I then moved off to look to see if I could see some Holly Blue, no such luck. Anyway, I moved down a few yerds and saw some ringlet. I managed to get some good shots before biting flies came back. I ran accross the hill, but they still followed.

I then was heading home and saw a few meadow brown. I wanted a pic of the upperside of one and saw one sunning itself. This looked easy. I bent down, focused camera and was ready to push shutter and noticed a clegg on my hand again. I had to flick it off, and meadow brown took off.

Next, I saw a few more, but could not get shot from where they where. The I saw a large dragonfly pass my head and wanted a shot of it, but another fly landed on my top and had to flick it off. Had to give up and go home.

Anyone else having similar problems? how would you stop this problem? It gets really annoying! Especially since its been wet latley and not much oppourtunities for going out, and when you do, this happens!

Poor old Dave! It must be very frustrating.

The obvious, non-violent, solutions are: minimise the area of exposed skin, get a tan (but I think you're a farm boy, so you've probably done that), use insect repellent, wear light fishermen's gloves (with the fingers uncovered) in particularly bad areas and carry an antihistamine spray if you react badly to bites and stings.

I hardly ever get bitten. I used to put it down to smoking a pipe and drinking beer, but it would be irresponsible to recommend either of those things - and I read in New Scientist some time ago that a certain percentage of people are lucky that way - insects just don't go for them.

Remember, a lump on the skin will disappear in time but a wonderful photograph lasts for ever...

Guy

Thanks Guy, but I just burn, not tan so thats out. When I do get bitten, it does not hurt much, more than a slight "prick" and not much else. Told bog myrtle was a good to rub on yourself, but I can't get that.

That glove idea might just work. I have a pari and might just try that since its mainly my hands they go for. They try and penitrate my jacket or top, but can't do it. I noticed one on my arm doing this for a few minutes then flicked it off.

I saw on TV that Honey Buzzards feathers contain a natural repellant as it attacks hornets nests and they leave it alone, but I can't go around with feathers, even if I could get them. I will figure something out.

Clegs, duns, horseflies, all the same and all a PITA. Sunshine after a rainstorm brings them out, and they always go for your hands. You set up a shot and ready to snap and there's this stinging sensation that gets worse until you slap the blighter away. Arrggghhh I hate them!

I think splattering these things is all part of the fun and there's a fantastic sense of achievement when you get it right.

On a serious note, it's perhaps worth mentioning deer ticks, which are apparently becoming increasingly common, especially in woodland sites. I understand they inject some sort of chemical which means you can't feel them biting. If they are attached to you for upwards of 10 hours, you could be at risk of Lymes disease, which is something you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. So it's worth covering yourself up and checking yourself over after an outing, particularly areas that might have been exposed, such as the ankles.

If you pull one off the jaws are likely to remain embedded in your skin. I can't speak from experience but I believe smothering them in Vaseline is an option - it stops them breathing. I've also heard they don't like alcohol so a few drops of whiskey, brandy or Listerine might do the trick.

Sorry to be a bore for those of you that already knew all this, but I thought it was worth mentioning in case anybody was unaware.

Thanks, David; that just caught me in time!

I'm packing for my Purple Emperor quest tomorrow:

Waterproof - check (BBC forecasters, as usual, keep changing their minds as to whether I'll be rained upon or shone upon)

Dog turds and salmon - check

Sweaty finger - check

Mouthwash - check

Hip-flask - check

Cripes! Nearly forgot camera!

In all seriousness, I never wear shorts now when venturing into butterfly country. Any idea why this deer tick is on the increase?

Bryan

Was getting bombarded by cleggs, my car was covered in flies as I went butterfly hunting yesterday. Well, not sure on the deer tick, but I am nearly sure I saw one on a bat I found yesterday, looked like one.

I don't wear shorts either, if flies don't getcha, then thistles, brambles, nettles, gorse and other weeds might!

...and after sitting on that ants' nest, Dave, I can't say I blame you!

Bryan

Yeah Bryan. Forgot the ants. There is ants nests all over the place where I was. Also, marshy land was very bogged down. Did not stop large whites, small tortoiseshell and ringlets and meadow browns coming out, and loads of those flies.

Those flies breed better in wet conditions and since thats all we have had for weeks, then, well, it makes it worse.

David Tipping wrote:I think splattering these things is all part of the fun and there's a fantastic sense of achievement when you get it right.

On a serious note, it's perhaps worth mentioning deer ticks, which are apparently becoming increasingly common, especially in woodland sites. I understand they inject some sort of chemical which means you can't feel them biting. If they are attached to you for upwards of 10 hours, you could be at risk of Lymes disease, which is something you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. So it's worth covering yourself up and checking yourself over after an outing, particularly areas that might have been exposed, such as the ankles.

If you pull one off the jaws are likely to remain embedded in your skin. I can't speak from experience but I believe smothering them in Vaseline is an option - it stops them breathing. I've also heard they don't like alcohol so a few drops of whiskey, brandy or Listerine might do the trick.

Sorry to be a bore for those of you that already knew all this, but I thought it was worth mentioning in case anybody was unaware.

I was jumped on by a tick in East Blean Woods last weekend,AND I had socks tucked in trousers due to the wood ants.
But the next morning I went to scratch a small "scab" off my leg and then saw legs moving.
My fiancee used tweezers to pull its body away but the rest is till in my leg,The doctor I visited told me that it's not known at EBW but if bitten by a tick in the new forest there is a strong chance of lymes disease.
One week on and the bite area is red but not getting worse.

Regards

Thats good to know that its not getting worse steve. I have to be careful here. I don't see many tics, but my cat seems to get them quite alot (being outside most of the time) and need to watch em.

Well, another thing we need to add to the list (well I do) is these wasps of sorts. Can't remember name, but its big, has a cylinder shaped body and stinger (like a syrange) and is around 4 or so inches long. Makes a loud buzzing sound. Had one flying round my head before. Not pritty I can tell you.

This may seem strange (not sure on this) but I was told that if a crane fly could bite, its bite could be poisionous. is this true or not?