Saturday 12 July 2014

Two Purple Empresses in the forest

female Purple Emperor, Apatura iris, specimen A
On Sunday I visited Houghton Forest and saw Silver-washed Fritillaries, White Admiral, Green-veined White, Peacock, Red Admiral, Ringlet, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Speckled Wood. Moths seen were Pearl Veneer, Rosy Tabby and Small Fan-footed Wave.
  On Thursday I returned and was pleased to meet fellow blogger and enthusiast Dave Potter (Friends of Groyne No.4) who was also preparing his evil smelling Purple Emperor bait. I was fortunate to find two female Purple Emperors on the ground at 12:30 and 2:30pm. These were amazing sightings as few females are seen on the ground and these were my first. The first specimen was in pristine condition and the second was pretty good.
lateR note: i forgot to mention that a Stoat crossed the path ahead of me. long lean body loped across, giving a good view of his black-tipped tail.
Common Wave, Cabera exanthemata
Enchanter's Nightshade, Circaea lutetiana
Enchanter's Nightshade, Circaea lutetiana
Fly, Phaonia pallida
Nipplewort, Lapsana communis
Pearl Veneer, Agriphila straminella
Ringlet, Aphantopus hyperantus
Rosy Tabby, Endotricha flammealis
Rosy Tabby, Endotricha flammealis
Rosy Tabby, Endotricha flammealis
male Silver-washed Fritillary, Argynnis paphia
male Silver-washed Fritillary, Argynnis paphia
male Silver-washed Fritillary, Argynnis paphia
Small Fan-footed Wave, Idaea biselata
tunnel of leaf miner moth larva
Comma, Polygonia c-album
Green-veined White, Pieris napi
Nettle-leaved Bellflower, Campanula trachelium
Pearl Veneer, Agriphila straminella
female Purple Emperor, Apatura iris, specimen A
female Purple Emperor, Apatura iris, specimen B
female Purple Emperor, Apatura iris, specimen B
Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta
Rose Chafer, Cetonia aurata
Rose Chafer, Cetonia aurata
Spotted Longhorn Beetle, Rutpela maculata
White-lipped Snail, Cepaea hortensis

3 comments:

  1. Been looking at your blog for some time, its really helpful. Thanks Simon Buck

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment Simon, good to know.

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