A visit to the Middleton Butterfly House

Cethosia cyane, Leopard Lacewing

to view a gallery with more photos, click here

Last week I visited Middleton Butterfly House near Ditchling, Sussex. I managed to photograph 20 tropical butterfly species plus The Jungle Nymph, the world's largest stick insect which is longer than your hand. It happened to be half term and this was an excellent experience for the children who enjoyed having butterflies land on them and having The Jungle Nymph placed on their hand.

You can book on the website: https://www.sussexbutterflygardens.co.uk/ 

Anartia amathea, Scarlet Peacock

Archaeoprepona demophon, One-spotted Prepona 

Catonephele numilia female, Grecian Shoemaker

Catonephele numilia male, Grecian Shoemaker 

Danaus chrysippus, Plain Tiger

Hamadryas februa. Gray Cracker

Hamadryas laodamia, Starry Cracker

Heliconius hortense, Mexican Longwing 

Heliconius ismenius, Tiger-striped Longwing

Heliconius melpomene, The Postman

Heliconius melpomene, The Postman

Heliconius melpomene, The Postman

Hypolimnas bolina, Great Eggfly

Idea leuconoe, The Paper Kite

Morpho peleides, Blue Morpho

mating Morpho peleides, Blue Morpho

Myscelia species, Blue Wing or Blue Wave

Papilio lowi, Asian Swallowtail

Papilio lowi, Asian Swallowtail

Parthenos sylvia, The Clipper

Tirumala limniace, Blue Tiger

Siproeta stelenes, Malachite

Siproeta epaphus, The Rusty-tipped Page

The Jungle Nymph, Heteropteryx dilatata

The Jungle Nymph, nymph, Heteropteryx dilatata

the pond

Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal presented to Sussex Search & Rescue members

Last Thursday I attended a Sussex Search & Rescue training session in Ashdown Forest. Part of the evening was devoted to a presentation of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal to 28 members who have completed 5 years of voluntary service to the team. The medals were presented by Sussex Chief Constable Jo Shiner and Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne.

  

Small China-mark at Arundel WWT

Small China-mark, Cataclysta lemnata

to view a gallery with more photos, click here

Yesterday afternoon I visited Arundel WWT. I hoped to see a Small China-mark moth which I have only seen once before on the reed bed walk. This time I photographed two, one at each end of the walkway. They are only visible when flying and can only be photographed when they land on a reed right by the walkway.

Alder Leaf Beetles mating, Agelastica alni

Amber Snail, Succinea putris

Bird's-foot Trefoil, Lotus corniculatus

Bird's-foot Trefoil

Blue-tailed Damselflies mating, Ischnura elegans

Common Reed, Phragmites australis (habitat of the Small China-mark)

Green-veined White, Pieris napi 

Harlequin Ladybird larva, Harmonia axyridis

Harlequin Ladybird pupa

Hedge Bindweed, Calystegia sepium

Honey Bees, Apis mellifera and a wasp

Purple Loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria

Red Campion, Silene dioica

Small China-mark, Cataclysta lemnata

Valerian, Valeriana officinalis 

Water Forget-me-not, Myosotis scorpioides 

Water Forget-me-not

White Water Lily, Nymphaea alba