Interesting Insects

29th June 2025 - there have been a number of sightings recently of what has been described as a bright red 'butterfly', and which have been identified as Scarlet Tiger Moth. At rest, these moths have a dark-green sheen to the wings, with a number of white, yellow or orange spots. The hindwing is hidden while at rest, but is the bright red colour evident when the moth is disturbed or in flight. They fly both in daylight, particularly in late afternoon, and also at night in May and June.

Scarlet Tiger Moth (aka Jersey Tiger) [photos John W, Roger D]

A small Bush Cricket, only about 1cm long, was spotted by Polly M resting on a Day Lily flower.

Small Bush Cricket [photos Polly M]

And a group of rather strange-looking smooth grey 'caterpillars' were spotted by Roger D in his garden, these being Solomon Seal Sawfly larvae. Related to bees, ants and wasps (Hymenoptera), these Sawflies lay their eggs on Solomon Seal (Polygonatum) plants, and the emerging larvae can quickly defoliate them. The adult fly is around 1 cm long, and all black.

Solomon Seal Sawfly larvae [photo Roger D], and adult fly [source Sawflies.org.uk]

Protected Road Verge flora

27th June 2025 - David F reported that the Field Scabious and Greater Knapweed were both looking good at the moment, in what is otherwise a dry verge, with Ragwort also being quite prominent.

River Sampling, June results

26th June 2025 - the RiverCare team undertook their regular sampling of the river Granta wildlife, at the Abington Ford. The regular sampling gave only a low number of creatures, although not low enough to trigger a resampling event. 

Bullhead

Signal Crayfish

Low sample

[photos David F]    

Summer Birds

20th June 2025 - a singing Chiffchaff, a group of recently fledged Swallow and a Corn Bunting, all birds of our summer hedgerows, along the Old Railway Cutting.

Singing Chiffchaff

Recently fledged Swallow

Corn Bunting

Flora on the Old Railway Cutting

20th June 2025 - a few less common plants showed themselves along the disused Old Railway Cutting recently.  A Pyramidal Orchid was found flowering along the top of the bank by the path - a species not seen along there in recent years. Also a Knapweed Broomrape, this plant being unusual in that it doesn't produce leaves or have chlorophyll, thus its pallid completion - instead it gets its energy by parasitising the roots of other specific plants, in this case knapweed. Finally, the large airy seed head of Goat's Beard, looking like a giant dandelion clock.

Pyramidal Orchid

Knapweed Broomrape

Goat's Beard seed head,

and a fertilised flower head about open into a second seed head

So many butterflies along the Old Railway Cutting

20th June 2025 - a walk along the disused Old Railway Cutting rewarded Andy M with a plethora of butterflies, of at least ten different species, so he tried to photograph as many as possible. 

The Marbled White and Meadow Brown were particularly abundant, with several Speckled Wood in the shady areas. The look in the long grass revealed Small Heath, Essex Skipper and Large Skipper, whilst the thistle and bramble flowers attracted Green-veined White, Large White, Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstone.  A Common Red Soldier Beetle and a species of Robber Fly were also spotted.

Marbled White on Spear Thistle

Marbled White on Black Horehound

Underside of Marbled White, on Creeping Thistle

Meadow Brown

Speckled Wood

Small Heath

Large Skipper - blotchy wing pattern, and strong sex brand

Large Skipper

Essex Skipper

Essex Skipper - same individual, showing the black-tipped antennae

Green-veined White

Large White on Bramble

Small Tortoiseshell

Underwing of Small Tortoiseshell

Common Red Soldier Beetle on Ragwort

A Robber Fly, lurking in the grass

Sluice Wood

18th June 2025 - a couple of photos from David F's walk along the river in Sluice Wood, and the nearby area of Field Poppy.