A gorgeous day on the scarp today with the sun beaming down on it and being sheltered from the cool breeze it was great to see my first confirmed Peacock of the year. Nigel and I had a probable Peacock on Ashdown Forest in January but as the butterfly kept flying at high speed we could not be 100% sure of the identity. Today though there was no doubt as the grab photo below shows.
Peacock.
I then did a quick Wall Brown larva hunt with 7 seen including at least 3 new individuals. The larvae have now grown with the largest being over 3 cm long. The 3 new larva found were all showing well high up the grass. The photo is of one that I found back in December and have been monitoring since then. I always enjoy following them through their growth.
Wall Brown larva.
I then had a bonus of finding my first ever Speckled Wood larva. Quite surprising that I haven't found more of these as the butterfly is quite common. Always nice to find something new, This larva was much younger and was only around 1 cm long. It also has stronger, brighter markings than the Wall Brown and Marbled White larva.
Speckled Wood larva.
Great to see the Wall Brown and Speckled Wood larvae. Both butterflies have arrived up here in East Lothian in the last six years and are now reasonably common. I must start looking for larvae now, but I am sure it must be like looking for a needle in a haystack!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nick. It is a bit like the needle in haystack until you get to know where to look. I should be filming the larva hunt soon with Dan Danahar which will be on youtube. I will say on my blog when it has been done!!
DeleteGreat to see the Wall Brown and Speckled Wood larvae. Both butterflies have arrived up here in East Lothian in the last six years and are now reasonably common. I must start looking for larvae now, but I am sure it must be like looking for a needle in a haystack!
ReplyDeleteHi. Stunning image of Peacock(Inachis io)and a Speckled Wood larva. We also have here in Finland both species. But not Wall Brown larva.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Hoping to get snaps half as good this spring! Still not out here.
ReplyDeletePeacock butterfly is a wonderful butterfly. We had a lot of summer lady butterflies in the yard.
ReplyDelete