For illustrated talks on natural history and history see www.peterlovetttalks.co.uk

For illustrated talks on natural history and history click here for www.peterlovetttalks.co.uk

Wednesday 23 July 2014

Insects on the South Downs yesterday; butterflies, moths and a Spider-hunting Wasp.

 The weather was hot and humid with a good breeze making photography difficult.  On a Hogweed flower was a wasp -- is it a male Ichneumon or a Spider-hunting Wasp?  I guess probably the latter.
 There were dozens of Chalkhill Blues about.
 This moth is yet to be identified.  Please let me know if you can name it.
This looks like a Chalk carpet moth.
 The "Pride of Sussex" the County flower of Sussex, Round-headed Rampion is beautiful now.

 Marbled whites enjoyed a Greater Knapweed.  Not the blood-gorged mites on the back of one of them.
 Common Green Grasshoppers lived up to their name in being extremely numerous in their hundreds.  This one posing elegantly on a Pyramidal Orchid.
Note the number of blood-filled mites on the Small Skipper above on a Scabious flower.
This walk was very hot and very enjoyable.
 As a bonus a pair of Linnets settled briefly on a bush.

Cinnabar Moth caterpillars munching through Ragwort whilst Hogweed bonking beetles bonk away unperturbed.

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