Hi all I've just finished sorting through photographs taken on a trip to the Hautes Alps in France in the first couple of weeks of June and I'm left with a few identification challenges. The location and altitude (Brunissard at 1570m) might suggest Mountain Dappled White for the first, but I don't r...

Thanks, Matsukaze. Looking at images of the larva on the Web, I'd agree.

I found this well developed and quite distinctive green caterpillar on a Yellow Rattle plant in my garden. I haven't managed to identify it and the only species I can find associated with Yellow Rattle is Grass Rivulet moth, which I don't think it is.
Anyone recognise it?

Thanks, Pete. That's a useful distinction I wasn't aware of. I was actually quite happy to see either this late in the season!

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has trouble distinguishing the female Adonis Blue from the very similar Chalk Hill Blue. By default, this one, taken at St Catherine's Hill, Winchester, this morning is a Chalk Hill, simply on the basis that they are far more numerous than Adonis at the site. It wou...

That's an excellent excuse - hope you saw some! Corn Buntings often occur on high quality chalk downland where you might find the likes of Marsh Fritillary and Adonis Blue at this time of year. They have declined dramatically in recent years, so it's always good to see and/or hear them.

Doesn't look much like a butterfly! It does look like a Corn Bunting, though.

Thanks, Roger. Can't think why that one didn't occur to me: maybe because I'm not familiar with it.

I revisited the location today and there were quite a lot of them around.

Hi all I originally had this one, taken yesterday, down as Tree Grayling, but on checking a bit more closely, it looks more like a male Great Sooty Satyr. The only issue with that is location: the photo was taken in the Foret de Lanscome in the Brenne area of France, which would appear to be a bit n...

Thanks both. I suspected it was a Lulworth, but good to have confirmation from those who may be more familiar with the species than I am.

Hi all I took the following photographs at Durlston Country Park in Dorset yesterday. It is a known haunt of the Lulworth Skipper, but I wasn't expecting to see it this early in the season. Having said that, it's also rather early for the Small Skipper: and it appears that the flight season for the ...

Thanks both. My life list exists only in my head and in my collection of photographs, but it is a welcome addition to both.

Hi all

I took this photo on Tuesday at Fonte Benemola in the Algarve.

On close inspection it seems to tick the boxes for Chapman's Green Hairstreak, but never having previously seen the species, I'd be grateful for all opinions - expert or otherwise.

Hi Guy, thanks for your response. I don't have the guides you refer to and I'd welcome any suggestions from you.

Thanks, Rupert

I don't really know to start with this one: apparently there are 468 species of hesperiidae in Costa Rica and it doesn't have any particularly helpful distinguishing features. Nevertheless I shall put it out there in the faint hope there may be a Central American Skipper expert looking for an identi...

Hi Dave

Thanks for your response and the link to the article, which I read with some interest.

I'm suspecting mis-identification in this case. From what I gather, the reporter had had no previous encounter with the species.

Regards, Rupert

Hi all There is a claim on the Wild Winchester Facebook group of a Mazarine Blue in a garden, but with no supporting photographic evidence. I'm sure these claims do arise from time to time, with little to back them up, but it made me wonder whether anyone knows when the last substantiated record for...

Thanks for your prompt response, Neil.

I shall know them if they turn up again.

I'm not much of a moth-er, but this pair dropped into my garden earlier in the week and hung around for a while, so I'd be interested to know what they are, if anyone would be so kind.

Thanks, David - I've seen plenty of Silver-studded, but very few Idas, so don't really have a feel for what distinguishes them from each other.