Small Tortoiseshell at last!

[Wild-Woman]

Well I was very pleased and surprised to see this very worn Small Tortoiseshell on the North Kent Marshes this afternoon. They are becoming a bit of a rarity around these parts, but at least now I know they still exist!

[djackso]

That's good news - I don't know why they are doing so badly

[ron1863]

I don't think that one will exist much longer, looks the worse for wear, poor thing.

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by djackso

That's good news - I don't know why they are doing so badly

One theory is that a parasitoid is killing them, but this IS only a theory.

[Ollie]

There are a few around Jules. Ben and myself saw several today on our travels but I didn't get a shot of one. Looks very much the worse for wear but at least you got a shot
Roger

[Jason Green]

Ollie and Wild-Woman-

More recently populations have fallen by 80 per cent in the South East, leading experts to point the figure at Sturmia bella, a tiny fly first spotted in England in 1998.

The fly, common on the European mainland, is thought to have become established as a result of warmer temperatures.

Its eggs are increasingly found on nettles that Small tortoiseshell caterpillars feed on. It is believed the caterpillars consume the eggs which then hatch and develop inside them as they reach cocoon stage, eventually killing them

This is an excerpt from the Telegraph. Read the full story here... Alien parasite fear for UK butterfly - Telegraph


I believe this is the said fly, Sturmia bella, a Tachinid.

Take care,

Jason

[Wild-Woman]

Thanks for that Jason.Yes a massive decline indeed. I would like to assist on a search, anything that helps.

[mrs fish]

Anyone know what the flies eggs look like ?

I haven't see any Tortoiseshells this year.

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by mrs fish

Anyone know what the flies eggs look like ?

Yes it would be useful to know.

[Jason Green]

Here you go, Small Tortoiseshell eggs...