Sunday 29 September 2019

September Highlights

Between the blustery downpours of late, I have been making use of any quiet weather interludes. Late summer has now turned into autumn and at this time of year I am a regular visitor to my local National Trust gardens to check out any sheltered floral corners for nectaring insects.


Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) (female) (ab. extensa




The moth-trap can attract some interesting species during the autumn and a Pale Eggar (Trichiura crataegi) made a first ever appearance to my garden last week


Pale Eggar (Trichiura crataegi) (male)




Autumnal Rustic (Eugnorisma glareosa)



A couple of weeks ago, a friend told me of an interesting caterpillar feeding on purple toadflax in her Eastbourne garden. I photographed it the next day resting on a lavender head and we found another three larvae on other toadflax plants. Nationally, the Toadflax Brocade (Calophasia lunula) is a Red Data Book species but Eastbourne seems to be one of its strongholds.

Toadflax Brocade (Calophasia lunula) (larva)




Whilst the breeding season for most species is coming to an end, autumn marks the start of the mating season for the Purse-web Spider (Atypus affinis) when males can be found above ground searching for female burrows. This species is a distant relative of the Tarantulas, born out by those huge fangs and tail spinnerets. Thankfully, it is only the size of a thumb-nail. 

A few days ago, I was walking with friends along the cliff tops near Seaford in 40mph gusts and heavy showers when I saw this male being blown about across the short grass.


Purse-web Spider (Atypus affinis) (male)



Wednesday 11 September 2019

Late Summer on Pevensey Levels

Although the evenings are drawing in and an autumnal chill can be felt as the sun goes down, there is still plenty to be seen out in the field.

 The expected emergence of a British brood of Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus) in southern England is likely to be on the wing from the last week of September.

 On Pevensey Levels, a third brood of Wall (Lasiommata megera) should be taking flight soon and I am still hopeful of seeing my first Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) of the season sometime during October.

 At the moment though it is Dragonflies that rule the water ditches and reed beds.



Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) (female, form caeruleopunctata)




A mating pair of Robberflies (probably Machimus atricapillus) with Hoverfly prey (Helophilus pendulus)



Golden-ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) (males)




Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis) (male)



Brown Hawker (A. grandis) (female)



Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) (males)




Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) (males)