Common Blue Butterflies at Landguard, Felixstowe

 

We seem to have had a very breezy, and at times blustery, summer here in our corner of the east coast. Small butterflies, like the blues, tend to hide away in the long grass and are not easy to see. If they brave the elements by clinging to Viper's Bugloss, Ragwort or grass seedheads, they sway about and can be very difficult to photograph!  

But I love blue butterflies (which always bring to mind 'Blue-Butterfly Day', Robert Frost's springtime poem), and am always glad when I encounter them. The photographs in this post were taken this last weekend on the nature reserve at Landguard, which nestles between the North Sea and the container port of Felixstowe. We think we also saw one or two Brown Argus; these insects are not easy to distinguish from Common Blue females, and in such windy conditions, it was hard to be sure. However, I think the butterflies in these photos are all Common Blue. 

 

Mystery Pupa, Egg Sac or . . .

 

I noticed this white casing attached with silken threads to a grass stalk on the edge of our long grass yesterday morning. 

I have just posted these pictures on iSpot, but have no idea whether this is the pupa of a moth, the egg sac of a spider or whether it might belong to a parasitic wasp of some kind. It is about 0.7 cm in length and about 20 cm off the ground. Perhaps the bands are a clue to its ID. Do let me know if you recognise it!

 

Day 14 #30DaysWild and #30DaysWildCreativity: Our Micro-Meadow

Dr Miriam Darlington's #30DaysWildCreativity for today addresses the matter of 'how people and nature weave together and cohabit'. I decided my response, and I fear it's not as 'creative' as I would like it to be, would be to show some of the ways in which we have turned our 'lawn' of last year into a micro-meadow, as a result of a pledge we made at the 2019 Suffolk Wildlife Trust Summit. 

Already we have reaped the benefit of new butterflies to the 'garden', notably the Green Hairstreak...

... and the Small Heath. 

We quite often have perhaps one sighting a year of a Stag Beetle in the air, and, indeed I watched one last night, just as it was getting dark; but yesterday afternoon we also found this female climbing our wall...

This afternoon we had what I'm guessing is a Blue-tailed Damselfly in the long grass along with a variety of bees and a few 7-spot ladybirds. 

I have been keeping a species list for some years of the wild species who share our suburban Suffolk garden with us. I am so nearly up to 100 in the insect section. I hope to reach that target, probably with the help of the kind folk at iSpot, in the next few days.

Leaf-miners are Larvae!

There has been much media coverage today for the school strike by young people against climate change. I have been thinking back to those balmy, if 'unnatural', February days when sightings of early butterflies graced the pages of @twitter, and I began to wish that I had a 2019 butterfly photo of my own to share. We visited NT Wicken Fen, a renowned site for biodiversity, but any lurking butterflies eluded me.

Since then we have been battered by Storm Gareth, which comes and goes in pulses, bearing a chill wind in its wake at times. What, I wonder, has become of those early butterflies?

I checked the garden this morning for signs of a return to spring, and found a 7-spot Ladybird but few other signs of insect life. I was about to come indoors when a rather scruffy bramble caught my attention, and I noticed the leaf-miner trail in the photo above. I knew virtually nothing about the creatures who make these so it seemed a good moment to learn (so please let me know if any of the text that follows needs a tweak!).

I discovered that these insects are larvae, a thought that had not previously crossed my mind. Furthermore, it turns out that these ones are lepidopteran larvae. OK, so there are no bright-winged butterflies for me to photograph and enjoy this morning, but there is the excitement of discovering that the small miners who leave a corridor-trail (known, it seems as a 'gallery', patterned with 'frass') will become moths, probably Stigmella aurella (and here for Suffolk sightings) or a similar Stigmella species. 

The adult moth, while not without a certain charm, is not the most exciting creature in terms of appearance. The wingspan of this species of Nepticulidae is less than a centimetre. The fact that these insects are part of the Nepticulidae family indicates that they have eye-caps over their eyes. We quite often see Mint Moths in our garden, but I cannot recall seeing a leaf mine moth, such as the Golden Pigmy, when they are on the wing in May. Photos of the larval stage can be seen here.

Those of you who follow my blog may know that I like to contribute data to insect recording surveys. I see there is a rather comprehensive Leaf-miner Moth Recording scheme here. 

Many of my UK readers will be aware that Butterfly Conservation have just launched a new awareness initiative in the face of a serious decline called #MothsMatter. It seeks to show us why moths matter as pollinators and as an important element in the food chain. Many of us admire these insects for their variety and beauty.

Here at home we have a dedicated wildlife patch in our garden. We also have a few self-seeded Buddleia butterfly-bushes (including one growing up through out tarmac drive!). I have three insect hotels. There is a ready supply of water, and while a slab by the french window may not be the ideal space for a bramble, I see no reason why the larvae should be disturbed.

I had a couple of moths on the outside of my window last night: here's to a summer ahead of knowledge, wonder, conservation ... and moths.

Dunwich Heath Again - Do You Recognise This Caterpillar?

There were few butterflies about on Dunwich Heath last Sunday afternoon but, most obligingly, this Small Copper perched for a while near our favourite seat. I have been wondering about the plant: do you think it is Heath Speedwell? It was definitely more pink than blue to my eyes, though there could be a touch of mauve in there somewhere. The area comprised dry sandy heathland, so the Pink Water Speedwell seems an unlikely alternative. 

While I was looking for butterflies in the heather, David noticed a tiny 'snake' (well, a caterpillar) in the grass by his feet. I have posted these pictures on iSpot, but do let me know if you recognise it. It couldn't be a Grayling larva, could it? I have seen the adult butterflies in this area.

It made me wonder why some lepidopteran larvae have sideways stripes (e.g. the Cinnabar moth with its black and orange bands and the Swallowtail butterfly with its segments of green, black and amber) while others (e.g. the Shoulder-striped Clover moth) have lengthways ones. The Striped Hawkmoth caterpillar seems to have lines going in both directions! These linear markings must be to do with camouflage and particular habitats.  

And speaking of camouflage, this moth below, blended in so beautifully with its sandy environment that I would have missed it all together if it had not fluttered its wings. Doesn't it blend perfectly with the bits of twig? After a while it flew along the side of the heather and gorse, and was equally well hidden. I'm guessing it is a Common Heath (too pale and indistinct for a Lattice Heath?), but again I have posted it on iSpot.

We ended our walk with a pot of Earl Grey in our favourite cafe in Dunwich. David had a slice of lemon curd cake and I chose the coffee and walnut. I'm afraid we were hungry and gobbled them up before I thought to take a photo!

For more on wing colour, pattern and iridescence you might find this article from Exeter University of interest. I am always fascinated by iridescence.

A Medley of Moths

Muslin Moth (Diaphora mendica or Cycnia mendica), 16 Sept 2015, Flatford Mill, Suffolk

Having posted a photograph for each butterfly species I have seen here, I felt it would be good to post a few of my moth pictures. Now, I am all but a total novice when it comes to moths. I can tell a couple of our day-flying ones, but that is about all. I would love to begin to learn a bit more and have attempted identifications where possible, but would be delighted to hear from you if you can correct any errors.

The photos in this post are, I'm afraid, in no particular order, but they help me to see something of the huge variety of moths.

Drinker moth (Euthrix potatoria, aka Philudoria potatoria), 25 July 2015, Wicken Fen

Gold Swift, Phymatopus hecta 14 July 2010, Badenoch, Scotland

Yellow Shell , 23 June 2014, Mull (near Ulva ferry), Scotland

Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata), 30 Aug 2016, home patch

Blood Vein (Timandra comae) or ?Small Blood-vein, 10 Sept. 2017, Sutton Hoo

Red Underwing (Catocala nupta), 10 August 2016, Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk

Straw Underwing (Thalpophila matura), 20 Aug 2015, home 

?Micromoth... to be identified, 2017, home patch

Light Brown Apple Moth, home patch

(Epiphyas postvittana)

(Epiphyas postvittana) Homepatch

?Carpet moth, 2015, Grimshoe Mound, Grimes Graves

?Shaded broad bar, Snape, Suffolk, 2017

(Scotopteryx chenopodiata)

6-spot Burnet (Zygaena filipendulae)

 ... above and below. We have watched these emerging once on the Summer Isles and once at Carlton Marshes in Suffolk.

Cinnabar moth, 5 June 2016, Snape

??Vestal moth, 20 June 2016, Whithorn, Scotland

Silver Y, June 2016, Dunwich Heath

Chimney Sweeper (Odezia atrata) , 15 June 2016, Lake District

Unidentified - home, window

Buff-Ermine, moth, (Spilosoma lutea), home, 16 Aug 2015

Swallowtail-moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria), 30 June 2015, home

Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis), 2015, home patch

Common Quaker moth, (Orthosia cerasi) 28 March 2011, Dinefwr, Wales

Mint moth (Pyrausta purpuralis), 1 August 2014, Avebury

Mint moth, Flatford RSPB garden

?Fairy longhorn moth (Adela reaumurella), Home patch, 2015

Green Longhorn Moth

The insect below, seen at WWT Welney, is NOT a moth. It is, however, a longhorn beetle...

NOT A MOTH! This longhorn beetle is Aromia moschata or Musk Beetle

 We finish this selection with a creature that is NOT A BIRD but a moth...

Hummingbird Hawk-moth, 24 Aug 2015, Suffolk

And finally, a couple of photos of the Hummingbird Hawk-Moths I saw in 2010 in the Peloponnese in Greece...

(Macroglossum stellatarum) Pylos area, Peloponnese, 2010

(Macroglossum stellatarum) Koroni, Peloponnese, Greece, 2010

I have posted lepidoptera larvae photos before, but will perhaps post these again soon, with a few new additions... Meanwhile, I hope there will be more adult moths to spot (except in my wardrobe...) in the days to come as summer morphs into autumn.

P.S. Having posted about the butterfly books I have read this summer, it makes sense to mention that I am currently reading A Moth Snowstorm: Nature and Joy by Michael McCarthy, which is reviewed here. I was perhaps expecting more about moths but I haven't finished the book yet so cannot give an overall impression. I love the 'joyful' concept that filters through the pages. There is also a good section on the colour blue (my favourite) and its place in the natural world... 

My Photos of (Largely UK) Butterfly Species

I have decided to post a number of my butterfly photographs, taken mainly during the last decade. My challenge to myself was to see how many I could find in my photo library, and in particular, how many species I could represent.

I shall begin with Swallowtails or Papilionidae.

Sadly I have not seen an adult Swallowtail in the UK. I have seen a few larvae at Hickling Broad in Norfolk (I hope I may do a post on caterpillars at a later stage). My Swallowtail photograph was taken in the western Peloponnese in Greece in 2010. I suspect the butterfly in the photo is not quite the same as our UK Swallowtails, so I will not count it as my first UK species. But here it is...

Papilio machaon (Peloponnese, Greece, 2010)

Moving on, we come to ...

Skippers or Hesperiidae

I find Skippers can be difficult to identify: please let me know in the comments if you notice an error!

[1] Small Skipper - Thymelicus sylvestris

Thymelicus sylvestris, Flatford RSPB Garden, 2016

As above...

[2] Large Skipper - Ochlodes sylvanus

Ochlodes sylvanus, NT Wicken Fen Butterfly Walk, 2016

Next on my list...

Whites and Yellows, known as Pieridae...

[3] Brimstone - Gonepteryx rhamni

 Gonepteryx rhamni, NT Wicken Fen, 2017

Gonepteryx rhamni, NT Wicken Fen, 2017

[4] Clouded Yellow - Colias croceus

 Colias croceus, Slebech, Pembrokeshire, 2008

[5] Green-veined White - Pieris napi

Pieris napi, Flatford, Suffolk, 2017

[6] Large White - Pieris brassicae

I'm sure I do have photos somewhere, but all I can found for now are the eggs on my nasturtiums...

Eggs, Pieris brassicae, 2015

[7 Small White - Pieris rapae

Pieris rapae, South Wales, 2008

[8] Orange Tip - Anthocharis cardamines

Anthocharis cardamines, Cley-next-the-Sea, 2017

Browns, Fritillaries, Aristocrats, known as Nymphalidae ...

[9] Comma - Polygonia c-album

Polygonia c-album. You can see the white 'comma' on the back underwing

Polygonia c-album in Essex, 2016

[10]  Gatekeeper, aka Hedge Brown - Pyronia tithonus

Pyronia tithonus - NT Sutton Hoo, 2017

[11] Grayling - Hipparchia semele

Hipparchia semele

Hipparchia semele

Hipparchia semele, NT Dunwich Heath, 2015

[12] Meadow Brown - Maniola jurtina

Maniola jurtina, NT Dunwich Heath, 2016

Maniola jurtina, NT Wicken Fen, 2015

[13] Painted Lady - Vanessa cardui

Vanessa cardui, showing underwing (to some extent)

Vanessa cardui- wings fully open

[14] Peacock - Aglais io

Aglais io, home patch, 2014

[15] Purple Emperor (female - I have yet to see a male) - Apatura iris

Apatura iris - Gloucestershire, 2014

Apatura iris

[16] Red Admiral - Vanessa atalanta

Vanessa atalanta - Essex, 2016

Underwing of Vanessa atalanta

[17] Ringlet - Aphantopus hyperantus

Aphantopus hyperantus at NT Wicken Fen, 2014

[18] Small Heath - Coenonympha pamphilus

Coenonympha pamphilus - NT Sutton Hoo, 2013

[19] Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (I think...)

I believe this is the only Fritillary I have seen to date.

Boloria selene - Inner Hebrides, 2013

Boloria selene

[20] Small Tortoiseshell - Aglais urticae

Aglais urticae, South Wales, 2009

[21] Speckled Wood - Pararge aegeria

Pararge aegeria, NT Wicken Fen, 2016

I have yet to see a Duke of Burgundy, so I have no photo for Metalmarks, known as Riodinidae

Moving on, we come to Lycaenidae, with Coppers, Hairstreaks and Blues.

[22] Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus

Polyommatus icarus, South Wales, 2009

Polyommatus icarus, South Wales, 2009

Polyommatus icarus, South Wales, 2009

[23] Holly Blue - Celastrina argiolus

Celastrina argiolus, on a type of (prickle-free) holly, home patch, 2016

 [24] Green Hairstreak - Callophrys rubi

The only one I have ever seen...

Callophrys rubi, Suffolk, 2012

 [25] White-letter Hairstreak

Again, only the one...

 Satyrium w-album, Suffolk, July 2017

 Satyrium w-album - as above

[26] Small Copper - Lycaena phlaeas

Lycaena phlaeas, RSPB Minsmere, 2017

Lycaena phlaeas

* * *

I suspect it is unlikely that I will add any more new species to this 2007 - 2017 list as autumn is approaching. However, I am pleasantly surprised at my count to date. All the photographs in this post were taken (by me) in the last ten years. We moved from Wales to Suffolk six years ago, and at that time I began to harbour a desire, as yet unfulfilled, to see a Swallowtail in the wild in the UK. Since our move, it would be true to say that I have kept an eye out for butterflies, though often on a casual basis. I feel sure I have a photograph of an adult Large White, but so far it eludes me. I will add it in if I find it or see one of these butterflies on the wing.

I am a butterfly-lover but very much a novice when it comes to identification and many other aspects of the butterfly world. If you see a mistake in this post, it would be much appreciated if you would drop a line in the Comments below. My next paragraph has been pasted from a previous post, but in case you missed it...

I have been paying particular attention to butterflies this year as a result of reading two fascinating books...

• In Pursuit of Butterflies: a Fifty Year Affair by Matthew Oates
• The Butterfly Isles: a Summer in Search of our Emperors and Admirals by Patrick Barkham

There is a good list of British butterflies here (which includes a few migrants). 

The only other butterflies in my personal photo library are the two you see below, photographed in the Peloponnese along with the Swallowtail at the top of my post. 

I *believe* this next butterfly is a Plain Tiger or African Monarch (Danaus chrysippus). There is a lovely one here in among the photos of lizards.

Danaus chrysippus, 2010 - Greece

Danaus chrysippus - 2010, Greece

The other butterfly seen in Greece in the Methoni area of the Peloponnese appears below. I believe it may be a Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus, but I'm not sure which one).

 

I hope at some point to post a list of the butterfly larvae (and moths, or perhaps initially the day-flying ones) I have photographed in the UK between 2007 and 2017. But to end with, here is a see-at-a-glance list of the butterflies mentioned in this post.

[1]   Small Skipper

[2]   Large Skipper

[3]   Brimstone

[4]   Clouded Yellow

[5]   Green-veined White

[6]   Large White

[7]   Small White

[8]   Orange Tip

[9]   Comma

[10] Gatekeeper

[11] Grayling

[12] Meadow (or Hedge) Brown

[13] Painted Lady

[14] Peacock

[15] Purple Emperor (delighted to see this news report...)

[16] Red Admiral

[17] Ringlet

[18] Small Heath

[19] Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

[20] Small Tortoiseshell

[21] Speckled Wood

[22] Common Blue

[23] Holly Blue

[24] Green Hairstreak

[25] White-letter Hairstreak

[26] Small Copper