Wildlife photos please

[Martin H]

Lovely butterfly pictures, folks.

Slightly off topic, but can anyone suggest a good field guide for butterflies? I have the Collins guide to insects in GB and Europe but it is a little thin on butterflies. I've not found a French one I like, either!

My knowledge is probably out of date, but I always go back to the pocket-sized "Observer's Book of Butterflies", W J Stokoe 1937. I like it because it's tiny, it has 2 pages describing each of the UK resident and migrant butterflies, it covers egg and larva as well as adults. I have the 1973 reprint

However, some of the advice in this book on catching, killing and pinning your specimens might seem a little cruel for today's sensibilities. It's also somewhat outdated; I don't think chemists ask you to sign a poisons book for your cyanide preparations nowadays?

Anyway, I've never felt the need to buy another book although I do remember consulting the definitive book by Richard South "The Butterflies of the British Isles" in the library once. I see there is a Kindle version of that book available now!

The only other book I refer to is by Josef Moucha: "Butterflies a concise guide in colour". This has pictures of most of the European species (135), so it usually goes on holiday with me, but the detail given is annoyingly variable.

If you fancy either of these, used copies on Amazon are probably your best bet.

[PyreneesPlot]

Thanks Martin - I might hunt out the Observer guide as I had a few of them back in the dark ages!

[Nicos]

However, some of the advice in this book on catching, killing and pinning your specimens might seem a little cruel for today's sensibilities. It's also somewhat outdated; I don't think chemists ask you to sign a poisons book for your cyanide preparations nowadays?

[Verinda]

We have lots and lots of these lovely bluey green leaf hopper type bugs. They are so cute and pretty I snapped a few photos today.
Mind you, I hope they aren't munching through my veggie plot haha!

[veggiechicken]

Violet Ground Beetle - Carabus violaceus




Found when digging up spuds this morning. Beautiful, iridescent purple sheen on sides.
Apparently a Gardener's Friend, eating pests and slugs. Hope there are more
Violet Ground Beetles - Carabus violaceus - UK Safari

[Verinda]

I just realised that photo is upside down haha! Not sure why. This is it the right way up, it makes much more sense!!

[PyreneesPlot]

A very unwelcome guest in the garden - Asian hornet.



We have lots of European hornets who seem to be generally more placid than your average 'picnic' wasp, and do a fine job on controlling caterpillars, but these ones scare me a little - this one flew straight at me after I took the photo so I scuttled!!

[mothhawk]

[

A total contrast to this delicate wasp with an amazing long abdomen and tail. No idea which wasp it is!

I came across a pic of this wasp in a book I was reading yesterday. It's Gasteruption jaculator, and parasitises solitary bees. The female lays an egg on or near the bee egg, and the wasp larva eats either the bee egg or bee larva and food store of the bee.

TrekNature | Gasteruption jaculator female Photo

[PyreneesPlot]

Brilliant - thanks much Mothhawk.

[Verinda]

A wagtail at the seaside

[PyreneesPlot]

And another unwelcome guest in the garden - Colorado beetle.



This is only the second I've seen in the five years that we've been here, but it's still two too many.

[scarey55]

Strangely enough, it's the first time in 8 years that I haven't seen any... So far.
Perhaps they have all gone to the Pyrenees for their holidays this year

[PyreneesPlot]

I hope it only bought a one-way ticket!

[Scarlet]

On hols in Sunny Brecon and on our walk yesterday we came across this huge fella. Not much Internet here but would love to know what it is? Any one know?

[Bigmallly]

Emperor Moth?