Thursday 10 July 2014

Knepp Castle and a Buzzard, Purple Emperors and Fallow Deer

Buzzard, Buteo buteo
On Wednesday July 2nd I visited Knepp Castle Estate and was given a tour of the varied habitats prior to starting a micro moth survey. Knepp Castle Estate implemented a rewilding project in 2001: http://www.knepp.co.uk/ This area is clear of fertilisers and insecticides so I hope to find a diverse population of micro fauna. The highlight was seeing a Buzzard perched 20 metres away.
The following day Dan and I joined Neil Hulme on his Purple Emperor survey of the estate during which I saw 34 PEs in the air, including a male-female chase at the end.
Cinnabar larva, Tyria jacobaeae
Coleophora species
Coleophora species
Coleophora species
Common Nettle-tap, Anthophila fabriciana
Dusky Pearl, Udea prunalis
Enoplognatha species with prey
Garden Grass-veneer, Chrysoteuchia culmella
Harlequin Ladybird pupa, Harmonia axyridis
Harlequin Ladybird, fifth instar larva, Harmonia axyridis

Microplitis wasp
Mirid bug, dead, Deraeocoris flavilinea
Mirid bug, early instar Nymph, Plagiognathus arbustorum
Moth Fly, Pericoma species
Rosy Tabby, Endotricha flammealis
Scorpion fly, Panorpa species
Spotted Longhorn Beetle, Rutpela maculata
Spotted Longhorn Beetle, Rutpela maculata
White Cloaked Shoot, Gypsonoma sociana
Thursday's Emperor tour:
Cinnabar larva, Tyria jacobaeae
Cinnabar larvae, Tyria jacobaeae
Fallow Deer, Dama dama



Garden Grass-veneer, Chrysoteuchia culmella
this moth landed on my car window
Hammer Pond
Meadow Browns mating, Maniola jurtina
Neil points out the Purple Emperors in flight

The male Purple Emperors patrol their territory at the top of the tallest oaks, attacking any intruders, including birds! The also 'sallow search' for females, darting in and out of any nearby sallows.
Purple Emperor, Apatura iris, high above an oak

Purple Emperor, Apatura iris, high on the oak canopy

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