Identification correction. The 'Sallow Kitten' larva that I've been tracking has shed its skin again, and has turned out to be the Puss Moth - Cerura vinula. I'm rather glad for two reasons:
1) It's a much more stunning caterpillar, and one that I've always wanted to photograph.
2) Puss Moth was my gut reaction on finding the caterpillar in the first place.
Wet and very dark.
Almost the longest day, and there was no light. It had rained most of the day and the clouds were still very heavy, so lots of the images are dark. Astonishingly, the day delivered two new species for the site.
Two shots of the 7-Spot Ladybird. Larva (left) and pupa (right). The hedgerow at this point is currently covered in Ladybirds in all stages of their cycle. The warm April has led to a population explosion. I'm hearing similar stories from England, with tales of 'biting ladybirds' (they tend to do this when their food supply of aphids runs out).
Episyrphus balteatus is a common hoverfly that is easily distinguished due to the 'double' black bands on the abdomen: one thick, the other thin.
The first of the new species for today, although, sadly, it's one of a pair that can't be separated without microscopic investigation. So it's either Parornix finitimella or Deltaornix torquillella. 5mm long. Both are leaf-miners in Blackthorn.
The Navelwort was so deeply hidden in the shade of the wall that I resorted to flash.
Nipplewort looks good with a very dark background.
As does White Clover.
The second new species today: Feverfew - Tanacetum parthenium.
