www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Great larval images, Richard . Could you check your personal messages next time you log in please, as I have requested some site information from you.

Many thanks,
Vince

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 down the ride for 2/3 hours but he only stopped once to take oak sap. White admiral ab obliterae. Then checked out the pupa which looks several days from emergence. Unforgettable day

That would be an unforgettable day indeed. Great that you managed an underside shot.
I found a similar example several years ago, but only manged open wing shots.
I imagine you'll return for the Purple Emperor very soon!.

Trevor.

Thanks Trevor

That is a fantastic find and shots smythric Brilliant to see the underside of the aberrant as well

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks a lot Wurzel

That's a special individual, Richard.

Thanks for sharing.

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

smythric wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 7:19 pm Found 3 5th instar PBF larvae basking in the Wyre Forest today2Q2A9835 pbf side.jpg2Q2A9776 pbf.jpg

Fantastic find Smythric. I bet you were well chuffed to see these.

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.

Great find smythric I'm intrigued how you found it? Did you just peer intently or scan across the ground or did it take lots of crawling about on hands and knees or was it like rock pooling but turning over leaves instead of pebbles? Anyway not long now then until the adults are flying, they're much easier to spot

Have a goodun

Wurzel

smythric wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 7:19 pmFound 3 5th instar PBF larvae basking in the Wyre Forest today

Excellent find, Smythric. This means they are still on target for emergence at the end of April/very beginning of May.

It's one of the more attractive larvae, I believe.

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 more difficult as they are mostly hidden under bracken substrate.

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

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

Great stuff, Richard! You're definitely finding some very difficult-to-find immature stages there!

Cheers,

- Pete

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

"Sorry for my late reply Wurzel"...no worries smythric - as I'm still in May on my PD I know all about the joys of living in the past Cheers for the fascinating information- I'll keep my eyes peeled next year

Have a goodun

Wurzel

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

smythric wrote: ↑Sun Aug 18, 2024 2:56 pmAmazing day at Grafton Wood on Friday. Saw 9 Brown Hairstreak (all female) in a 2 hour slot around lunchtime...

Those are good numbers, Smythric. I usually reckon anything above 4 females exceeds expectations.