Sunday 17 May 2020

Butterflies and Moths

Polly M spotted an Orange Tip butterfly in the garden this week, feeding on Centranthus flowers.  She also found a very strikingly patterned Mullein Moth caterpillar, unsurprisingly on a Mullein plant (also called verbascum).

This morning, Andy M spotted a very pristine small 'blue' butterfly resting on the wall in his garden.  Initially he suspected it was a female Common Blue, but closer inspection (alongside his identification books), indicated it was actually a Brown Argus. 
Whilst very similar, the alignment of the row of black-and-white spots on the lower underwing is slightly different. In the Brown Argus, the 'second' spot is out of line, forming a so-called 'twin-spot' with the first spot, whereas in the Common Blue, these spots form an even smooth arc.

Orange Tip [photo Polly M]
Orange Tip [photo Polly M]

Mullein Moth caterpillar [photo Polly M]

Brown Argus [photo Andy M]
Brown Argus [photo Andy M]





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The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

  • To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
  • To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
  • To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
  • To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)