Tuesday 8 June 2021

Painted Lady and Holly Blue butterflies and some beetles

Andy M has seen the occasional Painted Lady butterfly over the last week or so, and today one landed for long enough to photograph.  A slightly pale and tattered specimen, this adult has likely travelled to the UK from the near continent where it over-winters.  A few Holly Blue butterflies have also been seen

Susan H recently spotted a rather fine Cockchaffer Beetle, and Polly M found a Wasp Beetle (Clytus arietis) on sweet rocket flowers, which mimics the distinctive colouring of a wasp in order to deter would-be predators.

Painted Lady butterfly [photo Andy M]

Painted Lady butterfly [photo Andy M]

Holly Blue butterfly [photo Andy M]

Cockchafer Beetle [photo Susan H]

Wasp Beetle [photo Polly M]

Harlequin Ladybirds [photo Andy M]

Cockchafer Beetle [photo Andy M]

Cockchafer Beetle [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)