Beautiful Demoiselle

 With predominantly hot and bright weather during June, butterflies were far too active during the heat of the day to settle for a photograph. I have been walking mainly along shady but sun-dappled rides and pathways in my local woods, to see what I might find.

Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo)

This large damselfly is very much at home in sun-dappled woodland, close to running water. The male is a stunning creature with dark blue wings and a metallic blue body. The understated female has a metallic green body with brown wings.

Male.

Female.

Many moth larvae are nocturnal feeders and rest in the undergrowth during the day.

Oak Beauty (Biston strataria) (larva at rest on dock sp.)

The adult moth is on the wing during late February and March and its larvae can occasionally be found at rest during the day in May-July.

Frosted Green (Polyploca ridens) (larva moving up an oak trunk)

This larva was found in mid-afternoon heading up an oak trunk to resume feeding.