Holly Blue larvae

[Pete Eeles]

Whenever I've been out walking the dogs over the last few weeks, I've deliberately been on the lookout for Holly Blue larvae and have drawn a blank wherever I've been. I've also failed to get a decent photo for this month's photo competition.

Anyway - I have some ivy growing outside my "home office" and was looking at the flowerbuds a few minutes ago and counted no less then 8 larvae, including 3 on one flowerhead! So - expect to see my photo tomorrow and ... it's worth checking those ivy flowerheads!

Cheers,

- Pete

[KeynvorLogosenn]

Lovely story Pete,
I always find things like that when I am least expecting them, and not only one, but no less than eight! What a find! I think I may go out tomorrow and check mine

Mouse

[Denise]

I went out to check my Ivy, after looking up the description on the index pages. Nothing
But I did get some funny looks when I was climbing the tree to get a better view!

Denise

[Dave McCormick]

There is so much ivy here and it seems every ivy bush with holly nearby has its own group of holly blues, but I am yet to see any caterpillars. Can't wait to see the pics you have Pete, nice find.

[NickB]

Nice one Pete!
My local Cemetery is full of Holly Blue in the season. I go through every day to and from work and keep a look out on some of the ivy clumps - but never seen anything yet! Mind you there is so much ivy , it is the proverbial needle in the haystack! But your story encourages me to keep the faith...
N

[Pete Eeles]

Here are some shots taken yesterday and today.

First off - there was one flowerhead with 3 larvae on at one point! Here it is with 2 remaining close together:

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A rare shot of a larva with its head out of the flower bud. Normally, the head is completely inside the bud as the larva burrows out the insides!

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They're very well-camouflaged:

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Here's one gorging itself with its head completely buried in a bud:

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And, finally, I found this chap heading south down the ivy - presumably to pupate. It's certainly a different colour altogether - a deep purple:

IMG_3256.jpg (53.84 KiB) Viewed 553 times

Cheers,

- Pete

[Susie]

Wow, Pete, that's great. I find threads like this so useful when i go to look for caterpillars myself.