Spring Butterflies Emerge

 Lepidopterists are always eager to see their first butterflies of the year and the very early species to appear are those that have hibernated as adults. However, by late March the true harbingers of Spring start to emerge from their chrysalises.

Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) (male)

Small White (Pieris rapae) (female)

Large White (Pieris brassicae) (male)

Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) (female)

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) (male)

Phasia hemiptera (mating)

This is a parasitic tachinid fly and as its specific name suggests, it preys on bugs, mainly Green and Red-legged Shieldbugs. This species is sexually dimorphic and the male has rather attractive wings with metallic blue flashes.

Some Moths during March

 The changeable weather in March allowed for a few nights which were suitable for moth trapping. Moth numbers in my garden have been low but the number of different species is slowly increasing, with the promise of better things to come in April.

Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria) (male)

Oak Beauty (Biston strataria) (male)

Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)

Bridled Pug (Eupithecia abbreviata)

Early Tooth-striped (Trichopteryx carpinata)

Satellite (Eupsilia transversa)

Early Grey (Xylocampa areola)

Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta)

Along the Woodland Edge in Early Spring

 The weather during March has been changeable and there have been some prolonged warm and sunny spells to bring out plenty of hibernating butterflies from their long sleep. Common Toads have also been on the move, making their way to and from their breeding pools. 

Here are some images taken during the month.

Peacock (Aglais io)

Comma (Polygonia c-album)

Common Toad (Bufo bufo)

Bog Beacon (Mitrula paludosa)