smythric

[smythric]

Attached SPBF ab was seen at Trentishoe Combe on May 9th, 2022. Museum specimens suggest it is ab. extreme transversa

[bugboy]

Nice looking ab, and welcome to UKB

[Mark Tutton]

That’s a cracking looking specimen - great find
Cheers
Mark

[smythric]

Thanks bugboy. Actually, I’ve been on UKB for several years. I’m just fairly quiet

[smythric]

Thanks very much Mark. And, thanks for the research on the ab ID. Much appreciated mate. Cheers Richard

[David M]

Mighty impressive ab there, Richard.

What a first post on your diary!!

[Chris L]

Yes, I echo the comments of others, it does look really lovely. A great find.

[Wurzel]

What a brilliant way to start Smythric That is a cracking find

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[smythric]

Thanks David, Otep and Wurzel. Actually, for the last few years, I have visited Trentshoe in May searching for HBF 5th instar. I have found it extremely difficult as they spend most of the time under the dead fern litter only briefly showing to eat violets and bask. On Tuesday, however, it rained and I was lucky enough to find both 4th and 5th instar larvae about 20m up the slope. Very pleased.

[David M]

Great find, Richard. I'm not surprised you were pleased.

I presume you get to see plenty of adults too round that area?

[Neil Freeman]

What a great start to your PD with both that SPBF ab and the HBF larvae. Looking forward to you future posts

Cheers,

Neil.

[smythric]

April 13th - Nice to find 5th instar PBF larvae in the Wyre Forest. This one was demolishing violets and basking on a south facing slope. The area was full of wood ants, however, they did not approach PBF larvae.

[David M]

Great sighting, Richard. I suppose we have to assume the adults will be flying in 3 weeks time or so. It's a great time of year if weather conditions are favourable.

[smythric]

Very sorry for my late reply David. I haven't checked in for a while due to travel.Yes, I believe they are out in Wy

re Forest now. I visited North Somerset and North Devon last week and the Heath and High Brown Fritillaries look to be 10 days late. Heath Fritillary were in final install on May 10th.

[David M]

No worries, Richard. Thanks for the heads-up on the HBF larvae. Will help me plan later this summer.

[smythric]

Cheers David

[smythric]

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]

[smythric]

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.

[Benjamin]

Excellent returns for what was no doubt a lot of effort Richard - super stuff.

[David M]

Excellent observations, Richard. These larvae are extremely attractive in their own right.