Whilst enjoying the sun in Maureen's garden in Billingham we spotted a Silver Y moth Autographa gamma. Its apparently 'one of the great migrants of the insect world'. Distinguishing features are the Silver Y on forewing and the double crest on the thorax. A widespread moth it flies both at night & day although it was at rest when we saw it in on a potted ivy. It feeds on a variety of both wild & cultivated plants.
At Billingham Beck, a Comma Polygonia c-album, the underwings are a dull brown colour, with a small white 'C' marking, which gives the butterfly its name.
A Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria Likes shady areas with dappled sunlight, deciduous, coniferous & mixed woodland. This one was partially obscured by the canopy, and backlit with sun illuminating its forewings. 
Dragonfly, a Common Darter, thanks to Emma for help with the identification.
A Meadow Brown, Maniola jurtina
Hogweed, not sure which variety but I was drawn to sculptural qualities of the plant especially the flat winged seedheads of the compound umbel.
A Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria Likes shady areas with dappled sunlight, deciduous, coniferous & mixed woodland. This one was partially obscured by the canopy, and backlit with sun illuminating its forewings. Dragonfly, a Common Darter, thanks to Emma for help with the identification. A Meadow Brown, Maniola jurtina
Hogweed, not sure which variety but I was drawn to sculptural qualities of the plant especially the flat winged seedheads of the compound umbel. Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)Most widespread of dragonflies and damselflies throughout much of Britain
Horsetail, Equisetum arvense
I much like your first photo of the Comma - perfect angle and lighting with even the underwing 'punctuation' showing nicely.
ReplyDeleteIs the one above the Meadow Brown a Small Tortoiseshell? I've seen only a couple this year.
Hello Rob, thank you, tis indeed a Small Tortoiseshell. I really like the insect pics on Wight Rambler today, great stuff! Linda
ReplyDeleteI am certain the drangonfly is a Common Darter. The yellow patches on the side of the thorax are a good point and, when compared with the Ruddy Darter, the body appears pale rather than blood red and does not seem to have a waist. Not that I am an expert: I have just been studying both the Common and the Ruddy Darters in preparation for and since my recent dragonfly outing to Bank's Pond. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info Emma, I was having trouble distinguising between the two, so I'm pleased to read your comments. Your Bank's Pond trip certainly turned up trumps, your findings are great! Linda
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