Insect of the Day

acherontia · #**601** (**permalink**) 03-07-2009, 11:55 AM

Lots of insects about and very appreciated they are too!
A confirmation on these would be very welcome - I've only just started doing insects and the 'expert' (OH) is out.

I know the butterfly is a comma (you can see why) and I think the DF is a four spotted chaser?
Cheers!
Acherontia

Kayleigh · #**602** (**permalink**) 03-07-2009, 01:36 PM

this was mine from yesterday.

and a few nights ago.

Jason Green · #**603** (**permalink**) 03-07-2009, 01:37 PM

'Love the bee, you're getting on well with the Opteka!

Kayleigh · #**604** (**permalink**) 03-07-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

'Love the bee, you're getting on well with the Opteka!

Cheers Jason..
your not bad yourself

nutmeg · #**605** (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 01:28 AM

I've had my trap out tonight - not had a look in it yet, but did see Elephant, Poplar and Privet Hawkmoths arrive. The latter is the first adult I've seen in the garden (have had caterpillar here before).

A week ago I didn't see a single Footman - tonight there were lots (Common Footman I think, although haven't had a good look yet).

Looking forward to emptying the trap in the morning

aeshna5 · #**606** (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 08:01 PM

Today with a group at Bookham Common we had a great day for insects. Amongst the 16 species of butterflies were several Purple Hairstreaks, c20 Silver-washed Fritillaries, c15 White Admirals + 6 Purple Emperors.

Amongst dragons my first Southern Hawker for the year + a few Ruddy Darters, pleased to see again Beautiful Demoiselles again after last months surprise discovery- this may be the first time they've been recorded in mutiples since the 1940's.

Several Long-winged Conehead nymphs- new for year + 3 Parent Bugs guarding their eggs on Alder leaves, as well as perennial favourites such as the beetles Chrysolina herbacea, C. polita + Rutpela maculata.

Gaina · #**607** (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 08:06 PM

Saw my second Broad-Bodied chaser today. I couldn't get my camcorder running fast enough though, unfortunately!

Kayleigh · #**608** (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 08:07 PM

These are mine today...
another honey bee could be the same bee its hardf to tell..

and a garden spider they are growing fast he is spining a web..

Jason Green · #**609** (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 08:52 PM

I'll choose... my first Diamond-back Moth of the year, and my second year consecutively, having migrated to my garden. They must like it, it must be a holiday resort to them!

A close second is a gorgeous green lacewing; those bright reflective orange eyes look light bright LEDs!

Kayleigh · #**610** (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 08:55 PM

oohh....I forgot my hummingbird moth but it was too quick for a pic I did try..

mike-c · #**611** (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 09:03 PM

Here's my first Marbled White - I spent ten minutes following him around, but he wouldn't settle... and then, got him

Ollie · #**612** (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 09:09 PM

Here is mine for today, a cracking Buff-tip moth. First one I have seen this year and it was in a great spot for photographs.

Kayleigh · #**613** (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ollie

Here is mine for today, a cracking Buff-tip moth. First one I have seen this year and it was in a great spot for photographs.

Lovely shot Ollie.....

Deer Stalker · #**614** (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 09:18 PM

Southern Damselflies & Silver-studded Blues again for me today.

Ollie · #**615** (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Lovely shot Ollie.....

Many thanks Kayleigh. Only the second one I've ever seen so was well pleased to get this one.

nutmeg · #**616** (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 09:34 PM

One of my insects of the day is the same as Roger's - a Buff-tip. One came to the trap last night... I didn't manage such a nice photo of it, though.

My other highlight was a Plain Golden Y - not recorded one in the garden before.

James M · #**617** (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 10:19 PM

My insect of the day is an unknown, it really intrigued me. It looked like a miniature damselfly, same body shape and structure and even the brilliant blue colour of some of the damselfies but was about the size of a small hoverfly and held it's wings in a flat triangular posistion sort of like a moth if that makes sense.

pressld2 · #**618** (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 11:05 PM

A moth for me today. Battered and tattered, beaten up and, frankly, moth-eaten, I'm pretty sure this is a willow beauty. A new species for my garden...

I reckon with those antennae he must get channel 5 better than I do!

Dave P.

Jason Green · #**619** (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James M

My insect of the day is an unknown, it really intrigued me. It looked like a miniature damselfly, same body shape and structure and even the brilliant blue colour of some of the damselfies but was about the size of a small hoverfly and held it's wings in a flat triangular posistion sort of like a moth if that makes sense.

If you don't have a photograph James, could you perhaps scan a colour drawing? If you use actual paper, mind you don't use one with indentations of personal information - that happened on here once! Addresses, phone numbers...

James M · #**620** (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

If you don't have a photograph James, could you perhaps scan a colour drawing? If you use actual paper, mind you don't use one with indentations of personal information - that happened on here once! Addresses, phone numbers...

I can try, but my drawing skills are really poor!

Pete Collins · #**621** (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike-c

Here's my first Marbled White - I spent ten minutes following him around, but he wouldn't settle... and then, got him

Well done! I've seen lots of Marbled Whites in the last couple of days, but I really struggled to get a photo as none of them would ever settle anywhere close to me.

James M · #**622** (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 12:46 PM

My insect of the day is a pristine Brimstone Moth that was in the bathroom this morning.

aeshna5 · #**623** (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 06:15 PM

Good to see a number of Small, Essex + Large Skippers together near a local golf course today as well as Ruddy Darters by 1 of the ponds.

Ollie · #**624** (**permalink**) 05-07-2009, 09:11 PM

My insect of the day was this lovely female Emerald damselfly that posed nicely for me. My favourite damsel and the first of the year for me.

WhiskyBottle · #**625** (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James M

My insect of the day is an unknown, it really intrigued me. It looked like a miniature damselfly, same body shape and structure and even the brilliant blue colour of some of the damselfies but was about the size of a small hoverfly and held it's wings in a flat triangular posistion sort of like a moth if that makes sense.

A green Lacewing perhapes?