Along the Woodland Edge in Early Spring

 The weather during April was lovely, with plenty of sunshine but May seems to have become our month for blustery showers and occasional sunshine.

Orange-tips and Holly Blues have been abundant in the Weald of East Sussex and by the last week of April, bluebells were in full bloom, providing nectar for any passing butterfly.

I saw my first Pearl-bordered Fritillary on 28th April as well as an obvious landfall of Painted Ladies, primary migrants from across the channel. 

Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines)

(males)

(female)

Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)

(male)

(female)

Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne)

(female)

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)

Large White (Pieris brassicae)

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)

(female)

Green-veined White (Pieris napi)

(female)

Speckled Yellow Moth (Pseudopanthera macularia)

Fritillaries in Sussex

 Fritillaries form part of the Nymphalidae family. Of the eight resident UK species, four occur in Sussex and in addition, one rare migrant has made a couple of appearances in the county in the last fifteen years or so.

Two of the Sussex resident species are common and widespread and two others are vulnerable, only surviving where habitat management accommodates their needs.

Historically, three other species were resident within the county but have long since died out. It is unclear whether the Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia) was ever truly native to Sussex. The Heath Fritillary (Melitaea athalia) and Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) certainly were but athalia died out during the early 20th century and aurinia became extinct around the middle of the 20th century.

The High Brown Fritillary (Fabriciana adippe) was once a common and widespread species in England and Wales but from the middle of the 20th century it underwent a catastrophic decline. It died out in Sussex during the 1980's and is now one of our most endangered species. It is restricted to just a few sites in Cumbria, South Wales and Devon.

(Ref: "A History of the Butterflies and Moths of Sussex" by Colin Pratt.)

Dark Green Fritillary (Speyeria aglaja)

This butterfly is predominantly a downland species in Sussex but it can occasionally be found in Wealden woodland clearings.

(males)

(females)

(mating)

Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia)

This handsome species is common and widespread in Sussex, more so in the west of the county.

It is predominantly a butterfly of woodland rides and clearings.

(males)

(female)

(mating)

(mating; form valezina female)

(bilateral gynandromorph; male on left and female right)

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)

Once a common and widespread species in Sussex, the last colony of this pretty little fritillary died out in 2013. It was re-introduced in 2017. The species has probably become a victim of our drying climate in south-east England as well as changes in land management.

(All of the following images pre-date 2013.)

(males)

(females)

(mating)

Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne)

As with the previous species, euphrosyne has declined over recent decades due to changes in woodland management, particularly the cessation of coppicing. It is a species that requires targeted woodland management in Sussex. 

I am most familiar with euphrosyne at Abbot's Wood in East Sussex. The native population died out there during the 1990's but the species was re-introduced in 2004 using West Sussex stock.

(males)

(females)

(mating)

(post copulation)

Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)

This species is a rare migrant to UK shores and it has made a couple of notable appearances in Sussex over the last 15 years or so.

The following images were taken at a site near Chichester in 2009.

(male)

Favourite Encounters during 2022

 As we approach the end of 2022 and look forward to the start of a new season, I have been looking back at some of my favourite insect encounters during the year. It has reminded me of some lovely moments.

Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne) (female)

This species of butterfly is one that I really look forward to seeing in the Spring. My first sighting is usually of a male patrolling low over a woodland glade looking for a female but in 2022, my first sighting was of this female happily resting on a bluebell.

Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea) (male)

This species of dragonfly is a stunning creature and rarely allows close approach but as I wandered through the bracken of a wealden wood, I saw this male at rest. The sun had gone behind a cloud for several minutes and I had enough time to plan my approach before the sun reappeared. Just before it took off, it looked up to reveal its sparkling green eyes.

White Admiral (Limenitis camilla)

This understated beauty had a very good year in my local wealden woods and I regularly saw up to half a dozen on the wing within the same view. I have enjoyed observing camilla for some years but had never before seen courtship that led to mating. I was thrilled to see such an event in 2022.

(males)

(female)

(mating)

Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia)

As with the previous species, paphia also had a good year and in recent years it has become more common and widespread in East Sussex woodlands. Consequently, the occurrence of the female form valezina has become more frequent. I had some good moments with this species.

(female)

(male)

(mating) (valezina female)

(female) (form valezina)

I came across this female resting with her wings open in light rain. I managed to get my camera out just in time to get this one shot before heavier rain sent her to the canopy.

Sawflies.

I have taken a much closer interest in sawflies in recent years and I managed to have some good moments with these very fidgety insects.

Abia sericea (Scabious Sawfly) (male and female)

Tenthredo mesomela (female)

Tenthredo scrophulariae (Figwort Sawfly) (male)

Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) (female)

Whilst focusing on this willow stem bearing ovipositing scars left by a previous female, this female landed, rather fortuitously, in just the right place.