The Red Admiral

 During the first week of November, the only species of butterfly I found on the wing on Pevensey Levels was the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

The Red Admiral is primarily a migrant to Britain but for the last couple of decades or so, our warming climate has enabled this species to successfully over-winter.

 It is a continually breeding species and does not undergo true hibernation. All it requires to survive our winter is the availability of safe roosts and a ready source of nectar.

I have often seen atalanta on the wing during mild and sunny winter days on heathland, where there is plenty of dead bracken for roosting and there is always gorse in flower for nectar.

On the 5th. November, on Pevensey Levels, it was no surprise to me to watch at least two female Red Admirals laying eggs on fresh nettle growth, in a sunny corner.

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) 

(Basking on a fence post)

(Ovipositing female on nettle. The ovum is just visible below the tip of her abdomen)

(Ovum on the outer-upper edge of a nettle leaf)

 

Some Moths during October

 The overnight weather conditions during the last week have been mild and overcast. This favourable weather for moth-trapping looks set to continue into November. 

Good numbers of interesting migrants are still being recorded in coastal areas of the county but for those of us that are further inland, migrant numbers have fallen away somewhat.

Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina)

L-album Wainscot (Mythimna l-album)

Sallow (Xanthia icteritia)

Barred Sallow (Xanthia aurago)

Grey Shoulder-knot (Lithophane ornitopus lactipennis)

Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra)

Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon)

Pale Mottled Willow (Paradrina clavipalpis)

Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica)

Pine Carpet (Thera firmata)

Cypress Carpet (Thera cupressata)

Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)