Changing Seasons

 Summer extended it's influence into early October as the first couple of weeks were mild with prolonged sunny spells. As the month progressed, Autumn took more of a hold and the weather became more changeable and blustery. Now we are into November, slightly cooler temperatures accompany the wind and rain and meteorological Winter officially starts in three weeks time. 

There were certainly a few butterflies still on the wing as October began but as the month continued, insects in general dwindled in number and my focus has turned to looking for fungi.

Small White (Pieris rapae) (mating)

Red-legged Shieldbug (Pentatoma rufipes)

Sphaerophoria taeniata (Hoverfly sp.)

Glyphotaelius pellucidus (Caddisfly sp.)

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) (female)

Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)

False Death Cap (Amanita citrina)

Common Earthball (Scleroderma citrinum)

The following fungus has got me scratching my head. I think that it may be a member of the Cortinariaceae group. The images are of the same specimen taken eleven days apart.

Winter work has begun in the wood, starting with the burning of Rhododendron waste cut since last winter.

 

 

Some Moths during Early Autumn

 The weather during the first half of October was pretty good for moth-trapping and here are some fairly typical moth species that appear at this time of year.

Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina)

Sallow (Xanthia icteritia)

Barred Sallow (Xanthia aurago)

Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata)

Lunar Underwing (Omphaloscelis lunosa)

Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii)

Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)

Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae)

L-album Wainscot (Mythimna l-album)

Red-line Quaker (Agrochola lota)

Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis)

Grey Shoulder-knot (Lithophane ornitopus lactipennis)

Vestal (Rhodometra sacraria)

Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)

Pine Carpet (Thera firmata)

Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)

Some Moths during September

         As summer ends and autumn begins, an interesting variety of species can be attracted to the moth trap in the form of rare or regular migrants and late season residents.

Blue Underwing (Catocala fraxini)

This magnificent moth, also known as the Clifden Nonpareil, historically only occurred in Britain as a rare migrant but during the last decade or two it has become an occasional breeder in southern England.

Of the following images, the first three and the next three are of two different individuals.

Portland Ribbon Wave (Idaea degeneraria)

This species has only ever been a regular resident breeding species on the Isle of Portland in Dorset.

In recent years however, it has regularly been recorded at light traps in Sussex, most likely from migration across the English Channel and may now be an occasional breeder in the county.

Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata alternata)

Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)

Centre-barred Sallow (Atethmia centrago)

Cabbage Moth (Mamestra brassicae)

Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii)

Svensson's Copper Underwing (Amphipyra berbera svenssoni)

Although a little worn, this specimen was displaying particularly drab markings.

Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea)

Late Summer along the Woodland Edge

 With the arrival of August and September, there is a hint in the weather that Autumn is not far away. In my local wealden woods, single brooded summer butterfly species have finished and have been replaced by those species that have two or three broods in a year.

However, nature provides an important nectar source for these late season insects. At this time of year a blueish haze borders many woodland rides as the flowers of Devil's-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis) burst into colour. 

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) 

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)

Comma (Polygonia c-album)

Peacock (Aglais io)

Green-veined White (Pieris napi)

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)

Small Heath (C.pamphilus) (ab. antiparvipuncta)

Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) (female)

White Admiral (Limenitis camilla) 

In Britain, camilla is predominantly a single-brooded species, flying from late June to early August. In good years, a partial second brood can occur which has become more regular in recent years. I happened upon this second brood male on 15th September.

Volucella inanis (Hoverfly sp.) (male and female)

Volucella zonaria (Hornet Hoverfly) (female)

Speckled Bush-cricket (Leptophyes punctatissima) (female)

Southern Oak Bush-cricket (Meconema meridionale) (female)

Spiked Shieldbug (Picromerus bidens) (mating)