Many thanks Pete.

Thanks David. Yes, HBF larvae, especially late instars are stunning creatures.

Thankyou very much Ben. Much appreciated

Smallest HBF larvae at Heddon yesterday was this third instar.

Heavy rain in the Heddon valley followed by sunshine prompted a mass basking of around 20 HBF larvae. There were surprisingly several in their final instar. Could be a May emergence.

Karura Forest Kenya

White admiral larva from Monkwood

Amazing day at Grafton Wood on Friday. Saw 9 Brown Hairstreak (all female) in a 2 hour slot around lunchtime. Seemed to be perfect conditions for egg laying and that is a very good count for Grafton Wood

Many thanks Pete. Hopefully, I’ll see one emerge any day now.

Still following 2 White Admiral pupae in Southrey Wood, Lincs. Over 3 weeks now and still no sign of emergence.

Found two white admiral larvae in Southrey Wood, Lincs last week. One actually pupated before May 20th.

Sorry for my late reply Wurzel. PBF larvae bask in sunshine, especially after rain. We searched the egg laying area after overnight rain. In warmer sunshine, you look for movement, as they feed and move regularly. I was very pleased to find 3 final instar HBF larvae in Heddon Valley, Devon. They are...

Very much so, Chris. Thankyou. We go every year and know the main laying areas. The conditions were perfect; as it had rained heavily the night before and the soft, intermittent sunshine was perfect for basking.

Found 3 5th instar PBF larvae basking in the Wyre Forest today

Thanks a lot Wurzel

Thanks Trevor

What a day, yesterday, Travelled to Alice Holt with the intention of checking out a Purple Emperor pupa, found by my friend Mark Tutton, 4m up in Abbotts Wood. 20 minutes before I arrived, he called to say he found a "black admiral" in Straits. We watched him flying high in the oaks and do...

First time I've found Dark Green Fritillary larvae in the Heddon Valley a couple of weeks ago. They were both 6th instar and seemed a week ahead of HBF larvae.

High Brown Fritillary larvae seem very late with larvae in South Wales being only in 5th instar today. Last year I saw 6th instar in Devon on May 10th.[img][attachment=1]

Cheers David