Pretty disappointing... or is it?

[Jason Green]

Afternoon all,

Today I planned on re-visiting a nice productive site entomology-wise that I had been absent from for a couple of years. Turning down the lane everything was how it had been, and I remembered the different parts where I'd seen various species, and hoped to again.

Anyway, I was approaching the way in - I saw a horse in the publically-accessible field. Thinking it had slipped through a hole in the fence I carried on - and saw others too, and wire fences in place. I slowly realised that probably more than half the field had been taken over by the local stables! The part left open then felt pretty enclosed and small, as I looked through the builder's yard-type fencing to the areas I used to walk over. I didn't see even half the usual number of dog-walkers that I used to either (not that I missed being challenged by the dogs though!), or even casual walkers. Insect-wise it all seemed a little quiet, too.

I know I know, livestock-grazed grassland is good for biodiversity. Is there a chance that a few more invertebrates or wildflowers will flourish in the fenced-off area, and spread out into the public section?

It wasn't all disappointing though - it's still a good site for Birds-foot Trefoil, composite-type plants and I did see my first-ever Common Blue butterfly - a nice mating pair.

07/06/2010

Common Blue pair

Take care,

Jason

[Back]

Lovely shot Jason.

Is there a way to tell the male from the female with these butterflies in general, and with that shot in particular?

[Harold Smith]

I am certain they are male and female with the female on the right. It looks as if they are mating.

Harold.

[Kayleigh]

Hi Jase,

Wow, what a shot..
As the horses I am bias lol love em.
I am sure the insects will be around somewhere.

[loripo]

Horse flies Or maybe dung beetles... At least it hasn't been concreted over, which is what I thought you were going to say.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by loripo

Horse flies Or maybe dung beetles... At least it hasn't been concreted over, which is what I thought you were going to say.

Don't forget the swallows in the eves of the stables..

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by loripo

Horse flies

...wonderful, just wonderful isn't it? Now not only have I lost out on half the site but when I come to squeezing into the remaining rejected part that probably now has a complex I'll get chewed to ribbons by Tabanids. Can't wait, I'm buzzing with excitement here as you may may be able to hear from where you are. Maybe I'll slip on an extra coat or ten as protection, in fact I think I can hear the horses laughing at me already

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by loripo

Horse flies Or maybe dung beetles... ..........

Probably not - unfortunately most horses in southern England are routinely treated with Ivermectin and related dipterocides: the biocide passes out with the faeces and dung beetles and other insects are killed .....

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Probably not

...you mean I've just wasted all that money I spent on extra coats on Amazon this morning?!

Thanks for the replies, all. Yes, I should be grateful it wasn't concreted - at least the insects are still there hopefully benefitting from grazing. Still, it's a little sad to look across the fence to all those individual corners I used to find interesting species in, knowing I can't go there again.

I'm hoping to re-visit again in the next week, I'll let you know how things seem to be developing.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Probably not - unfortunately most horses in southern England are routinely treated with Ivermectin and related dipterocides: the biocide passes out with the faeces and dung beetles and other insects are killed .....

We never treated ours against horseflies, we made a solution of citronella oil, cold tea ect and sprayed the horse before being ridden the smell kept them away.
We did worm regular though so this would have an affect on the beetles I should imagine.