Painted Lady and Common Blue. Photo: Brian Arnold
Brian has left a wildflower patch in his lawn in Harman’s Cross, and saw these two together on 22/08/2019. It’s a great shot for showing people how small the blue is, something which those new to butterflies can find quite surprising.
Posted on: 24 August, 2019
Large Yellow Underwing Moth. Photo: George McCabe
George’s dogs looked up and became alert when this Large Yellow Underwing landed on the kitchen floor in their Weymouth home on 24.07/19. George said it was one of a number that had gained their attention that week.
These moths have one protracted generation June- Oct and sometimes November, peaking in August. and is long lived.
It comes readily to light sometimes in huge numbers.
Posted on: 23 August, 2019
Small Eggar Caterpillar. Photo: George McCabe
When George was walking his dogs along Icen Way on 4/07/19 he spotted this Small Eggar moth caterpillar in the hedgerow. This a Nationally Scarce B species, but can be found most frequently in Dorset and Somerset.
It can be found April -July and its foodplants are chiefly Blackthorn and Hawthorn, but will also use elms, Spindle, Apple and Grey Willow.
Posted on: 23 August, 2019
Mint Moth. Photo: Brian Arnold
This tiny but beautiful moth, commonly known as a Mint moth (Pyrausta Purpuralis) turned up in Brian’s garden at Harman’s Cross on 22/08/19.This one is visiting Fleabane, but they are often found in Summer nectaring on Mint,as the name suggests, or other herbs such as Marjoram and Oregano.
Posted on: 23 August, 2019
Red Admiral: Photo: Paul Godier
Well, we think it’s a Red Admiral…. Paul said he was delighted, after the prolonged rain and high winds, to see a butterfly resurgence in Boscombe Cliff Gardens on 17/08/2019, but this specimen had obviously had a tough time of it!
Posted on: 20 August, 2019
Silver-washed Fritillary. Photo: Alwyn Ladell.
Alwyn spotted this lovely Silver-washed Fritillary in his garden in Westbourne in Bournemouth on 31/07/2019. There were a lot of this species around earlier in the year, but they are becoming scarcer as the year goes on, and it’s nice to see one from a south Dorset locatoin.
Posted on: 17 August, 2019
Mating pair of Grayling. Photo: James Downes
Seen by James at the RSPB Reserve at Arne, near Wareham, on 06/08/2019.
Posted on: 15 August, 2019
Chalk-hill Blue. Photo: Mark Pike
Mark commented that this female Chalkhill Blue, seen at Fontmell Down on 5/08/19 was still drying its wings after emergence from the pupa. (more…)
Posted on: 9 August, 2019
Chalk Carpet Moth. Photo: Mark Pike
Mark spotted this fresh Chalk Carpet Moth whose flight season is July – Aug on Fontmell Down on 5/08/19.
This species is easily disturbed from the ground by day but also comes to light ,sometimes in numbers.
Posted on: 8 August, 2019
Large White with Fly. Photo: Mark Pike
Brown Hairstreak > Photo: Mark Pike
Mark sent us this photo of a Large White from Alner’s Gorse on 1/08/19, wondering how it didn’t notice the fly on its wing. No answer to that unless anyone else has any idea?
The Brown Hairstreak was a surprise too, as it was very low down on Ragwort rather than high in trees as is their usual practice.
Posted on: 6 August, 2019
Common Blue .Photo: Luc Mitchem
Painted Lady. Photo: Luc Mitchem
Luc went for an afternoon stroll in Smokey Hole Lane, Dorchester on 31/07/19 and sent us these photos of a female Common Blue, and one of ten Painted Lady butterflies which he saw there. On this photo the Painted Lady appears to have ‘eyes’ to warn off predators, not always so noticable when viewed in the field.
This a lovely example of a female Common Blue, showing the blue basal flush and a clear pattern of spots around the wing borders.
Posted on: 6 August, 2019
Small Copper. Photo: Phil Woodward
Phil spotted this Small Copper in Slough Lane, Upton on 4/08/19.
Last year this species did so well over the whole country but not so far this year. However there is time yet as this butterfly can produce a late generation in September if conditions are favourable.
Posted on: 6 August, 2019
Elephant Hawkmoth. Photo: Mark Pike
Poplar Hawkmoth, Photo: Mark Pike
Mark took beautiful study photos of these two hawkmoths in his Motcombe garden on 3/08/19 (more…)
Posted on: 6 August, 2019
Silver-spotted Skipper. Photo: Mark Pike.
When Mark went to Fontmell Dowm on the 5/08/19 in search of Silver-spotted Skippers, he found seven of this delightful but scarce little butterfly.
This species is found on chalk grassland that contains short, sparse, turf. This warmth-loving species is typically found on south facing slopes on which its sole foodplant, Sheep’s-fescue, grows.
In Dorset Fontmell Down is the only site it has been found in recent years.
Posted on: 6 August, 2019
Green Hairstreak. Photo: Mike Robinson
Green Hairstreak. Photo: Mike Robinson
I’ve been following Mike on Twitter and have been amazed at how many Green Hairstreaks he has been seeing throughout July on Canford Heath. This butterfly is usually at the end of its season by the third week of June http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk , but now he has found one on 4th August. This one is showing it’s age, but the above photo is of one he found on 21st July and looks pristine.
Is this a record I wonder?
Thank you Mike for responding to my request for your photos for the gallery.
Posted on: 4 August, 2019
More photos: Gallery Archive
