Butterflies along the Woodland Edge

 So far, this year seems to have been a good one for butterflies. I have enjoyed watching several species in some profusion, along the woodland edge.

Here are some images taken over the last few weeks.

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) (mating)

White Admiral (Limenitis camilla) (male)

Large White (Pieris brassicae) (mating)

Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) (female)

Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) (male)

Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) (female)

Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) (female)

Ringlet (A. hyperantus) (male)

Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus) (male)

Purple Hairstreak (F. quercus) (female)

Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) (mating)

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) (male)

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

Comma (Polygonia c-album)

Peacock (Aglais io)

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) (female)

Dragonflies along the Woodland Edge

 Dragonflies are one of the top predators in the insect world. When you watch them flying along the woodland edge hunting for prey, it is easy to see why they have names like Hawker, Chaser and Darter.

Here are some images of these stunning creatures taken during the last few weeks.

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) (male)

Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva) (male)

Scarce Chaser (L. fulva) (immature male)

Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) (male)

Black-tailed Skimmer (O. cancellatum) (immature male)

Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) (male)

Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles)

In the UK, the Norfolk Hawker populations were only to be found in the Norfolk Broads and have seemingly been stuck there for many decades. However, within the last decade or so, isosceles has been breeding in north Kent and in 2018, I myself witnessed how numerous this species has become along the Suffolk coast around Aldeburgh. In recent years, isosceles has been recorded in Sussex and this year I have seen several flying around in my local East Sussex woods. 

To me, it seems highly unlikely that isosceles has started to spread out from its Norfolk haunts. It is a common species in Europe and it is much more likely that it has followed several other species across the channel to set up home in south-east England.

Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles)

(male)

(female)

Some Moths during June

 With the arrival of June, temperatures overnight have regularly been in double figures and conditions have generally been less blustery for putting out the moth trap.

Here are some of the moths that were attracted to the light during the month.

Lime Hawkmoth (Mimas tiliae)

Elephant Hawkmoth (Deilephila elpenor)

Swallow Prominent (Pheosia tremula)

Iron Prominent (Notodonta dromedarius)

Pebble Prominent (Notodonta ziczac)

Lobster Moth (Stauropus fagi)

Light Brocade (Lacanobia w-latinum)

Great Oak Beauty (Hypomecis roboraria)

Lychnis (Hadena bicruris)

Treble Brown Spot (Idaea trigeminata)

Scorched Wing (Plagodis dolabraria)

Oak Hook-tip (Watsonalla binaria) (male)

Green Oak Tortrix (Tortrix viridana)

White Plume Moth (Pterophorus pentadactyla)