Friday 18 July 2014

A morning with three Empresses

female Purple Emperor, Apatura iris, specimen D
On Monday 14th I visited Houghton Forest and met Paul Fosterjohn who also wanted to see a Purple Emperor on the ground. We struck lucky and witnessed 3 landings by females and some flying around a sallow then perch on its leaves. When I got home and studied the photos I realised that we had seen three different females on the ground between 12:05 and 12:51. Neil Hulme confirmed that the photos showed 3 females, and also that of the two females I photographed on July 10, at least one was another differnt specimen. In conclusion we had at least 4 different females in a small area during a 4 day period. During a walk along the main path, a Roe Deer darted out and ran down the path. A Holly Blue passed us in the car park.
Paul produced these wonderful pin badges to celebrate Sussex favourites and benefit Butterfly Conservation in Sussex
remains of beetle wing cases - id needed!
is this a cocoon? 15mm. Id needed please.
Common Yellow Conch, Agapeta hamana
Paul pays homage to the Empress
Sawfly larvae in web, Neurotoma saltuum
Sawfly larvae in web, Neurotoma saltuum
Pearl Veneer, Agriphila straminella
female Purple Emperor, Apatura iris
Purple Emperor, female, Apatura iris, specimen C
Purple Emperor, female, Apatura iris, specimen D
Purple Emperor, female, Apatura iris, specimen E
Roe Deer, Capreolus capreolus
Small Skipper, Thymelicus sylvestris

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