CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Large Amber Snail (Succinea putris) is of the family Succineidae which is in the genus Succinea. This land snail has a widespread distribution in the temperate regions of the Palaearctic. The shell length is 12-17mm, 6-9mm wide and has up to three mottled whorls which are darker than the rest of shell. It occurs in the damp well vegetated margins of ponds, lakes, rivers and fresh water marshes. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
Tuesday, 30 June 2020
LARGE AMBER SNAIL (Succinea putris) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
Monday, 29 June 2020
LESSER DIVING BEETLE (Acilius sulcatus) [female] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
The Lesser Diving Beetle (Acilius sulcatus) is of the family
Dytiscidae which is in the genus Acilius. Also known as the Grooved Diving
Beetle, it occurs on all continents of the world except Antarctica. In Ireland
this water beetle has a very scattered distribution but as in other countries it
is probably under recorded due to its aquatic life style. Separate with care from
the almost identical but rarer Acilius canaliculatus by differences in
face pattern. As a strong flier, it is not confined to a single body of water. It
overwinters deep under water as an adult.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Saturday, 27 June 2020
CATSEAR (Hypochaeris radicata) stems infected by galls of the CATSEAR GALL WASP (Phanacis hypochoeridis) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The (Common) Catsear (Hypochaeris radicata) is of the family Asteraceae which is in the genus Hypochaeris. Alternative names include Flatweed, Cat's-ear and False Dandelion. This wildflower is a widespread perennial in the temperate regions of Europe and also occurs as an invasive species in the Americas, Japan, Australia as well as New Zealand.
The Catsear Gall Wasp (Phanacis hypochoeridis) is of the family Hymenoptera which is in the genus Phanacis. In the early part of the flowering season, the female lays her eggs in the stems of (Common) Catsear (Hypochaeris radicata) that subsequently turn into larvae. An elongated gall is then formed that can contain up to 50 larvae which causes the stem to swell. Later in the season the larvae pupate within the gall and remain encased there overwinter. They emerge from the gall as wasps in late spring the following year.
The Catsear Gall Wasp (Phanacis hypochoeridis) is of the family Hymenoptera which is in the genus Phanacis. In the early part of the flowering season, the female lays her eggs in the stems of (Common) Catsear (Hypochaeris radicata) that subsequently turn into larvae. An elongated gall is then formed that can contain up to 50 larvae which causes the stem to swell. Later in the season the larvae pupate within the gall and remain encased there overwinter. They emerge from the gall as wasps in late spring the following year.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Friday, 26 June 2020
LATTICED HEATH MOTH (Chiasmia clathrata) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Latticed Heath (Chiasmia clathrata) is of the family Geometridae which is in the genus Chiasmia. This day flying moth occurs throughout the Palearctic region. It is on the wing from mid May to mid September over two generations, peaking in June/July. In Ireland it has a scattered distribution where it can be locally common but is largely absent from the southwest. It overwinters as a pupa (chrysalis). Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
Thursday, 25 June 2020
RINGLET BUTTERFLY (Aphantopus hyperantus) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Ringlet Butterfly (Aphantopus hyperantus) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aphantopus. This species has a widespread distribution in the Palearctic region, but is absent from northern latitudes. The flight season is from mid June to late July, peaking in late June. It overwinters as a larva (caterpillar).
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Wednesday, 24 June 2020
COMMON LOUSEWORT (Pedicularis sylvatica) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Common Lousewort (Pedicularis sylvatica) is of the family Orobanchaceae which is in the genus Pedicularis. This short compact wildflower occurs in central and northern Europe where it grows in moist acidic soils. It is a hemi-parasitic biennial species which gains
some of its nutrients from the roots of other plants. The flowering season is from April to late July.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Tuesday, 23 June 2020
TAPERED DRONEFLY or TAPERED HOVERFLY (Eristalis pertinax) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click external link here for detailed species information The Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax) or Tapered Hoverfly is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Eristalis. This hoverfly is commonly found in Europe. It has a long flight season over a number of generations which extends
from February to early November and overwinters as an adult. Key identification features include: large size, distinctive genus wing
pattern, tapered abdomen, black antennae, yellowish front
and middle lower legs (tarsi).
Reference and highly recommended reading: Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris |
Monday, 22 June 2020
BLUE TAILED DAMSELFLY (Ischnura elegans) [Immature female, form rufescens] Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans) is of the family Coenagrionidae which is in the genus Ischnura. It commonly occurs throughout Europe. In this species the abdomen S8 is blue coloured. Separate with care from the very similar but smaller Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura pumilio) whose abdomen S9 is blue. The flight season extends from April to early October. Immature females have a number of colour variations including the pink form rufescens.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Saturday, 20 June 2020
RAGGED ROBIN WILDFLOWER (Lychnis flos-cuculi) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
The Ragged Robin Wildflower (Lychnis flos-cuculi) is of the family Caryophyllaceae which is in the genus Lychnis.
This perennial wildflower occurs in Europe, Asia and as an invasive species in parts
of Canada and United States. The flowering season is from May to late
August.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Friday, 19 June 2020
GREEN VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris napi) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Green-veined White Butterfly (Pieris napi) is of the family Pieridae which is in the genus Pieris. It
commonly occurs in Eurasia as well as North America. This species is on
the wing from March to October, over several generations, but in
Ireland the normal flight season
extends from mid April to mid September. It hibernates during the winter
as a chrysalis.
|
Thursday, 18 June 2020
CHOCOLATE MINING BEE (Andrena scotica) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Chocolate Mining-bee (Andrena scotica) or Hawthorn Bee is of the family Andrenidae which is in the genus Andrena. It occurs in Europe and its range extends from Ireland eastwards to Poland. The flight season is from March to late June, peaking in May. The females are communal nesters with a group of them sharing a common entrance to a burrow in which each female tends her own eggs and larvae within a chamber off the main burrow, constructing brood cells within her tunnel and provisioning the cells with pollen and nectar collected from a wide range of flowers.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrena_scotica
Wednesday, 17 June 2020
FOUR SPOTTED CHASER or FOUR SPOTTED SKIMMER (Libellula quadrimaculata) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Four-spotted Chaser Dragonfly (Libellula quadrimaculata) is of the family Aeshnidae which is in the genus Libellula. It occurs in the temperate regions of Europe and Asia. It is also found in North America where it is known as the Four-spotted Skimmer. The flight season is from mid April to early September.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Tuesday, 16 June 2020
TWIN LOBED DEERFLY (Chrysops relictus) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Click here for detailed species information
|
The Twin Lobed Deerfly (Chrysops relictus) is of the family Tabanidae which is in the genus Chrysops.This biting fly is commonly found in western and northern Europe including Britain and Ireland. Its on the wing from early May to late September, peaking in July.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Monday, 15 June 2020
YELLOW RATTLE (Rhinanthus minor) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Click here for detailed species information
|
The Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) is of the family Orobanchaceae which is in the genus Rhinanthus. This wild plant is found in Europe, western Asia and in the temperate region of North America. It is a hemi-parasitic annual species which gains some of its nutrients from the roots of other plants. Its presence in a wildflower meadow is essential in reducing the dominance of grasses, which are one of its main hosts. The flowering season is from June to early September.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Sunday, 14 June 2020
COMMON GREEN GRASSHOPPER (Omocestus viridulus) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Click here for detailed species information
|
The Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus) is of the family Acrididae which is in the genus Omocestus.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Saturday, 13 June 2020
SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY (Aglais urticae) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Click here for detailed species information
|
The Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly (Aglais urticae) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais.
It has a widespread distribution in the Palearctic region but is absent
from southern Asia. The caterpillars (larvae) feed on Common Nettle (Urtica dioica).
Overwintering as an adult, its cryptic under wing pattern helps to
avoid detection. It emerges from hibernation in late spring to lay eggs
on its larval plant.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Friday, 12 June 2020
SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY [Caterpillars] (Aglais urticae) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Click here for detailed species information
The Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly (Aglais urticae) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais. It has a widespread distribution in the Palearctic region but is absent from southern Asia. The caterpillars (larvae) feed on Common Nettle (Urtica dioica). Overwintering as an adult, its cryptic under wing pattern helps to avoid detection. It emerges from hibernation in late spring to lay eggs on its larval plant. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
Thursday, 11 June 2020
BURNET COMPANION MOTH (Euclidia glyphica) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Speckled Wood Butterfly (Pararge aegeria) is of the family Acanthosomatidae which is in the genus Pararge. This is a very common species and is found throughout the Palearctic region. It occurs in a wide variety of habitats including urban gardens with a preference for shaded areas. Overwintering either as a lava or a pupa enables an extended flight season from April to October.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Wednesday, 10 June 2020
BIRCH SHIELDBUG (Elasmostethus interstinctus) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Click here to see identification guide to British and Irish Shieldbugs
The Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus) is of the family Acanthosomatidae which is in the genus Elasmostethus. Shieldbugs go through five instar stages before becoming adults.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
HAIRY HAWKER DRAGONFLY (Brachytron pratense) male, Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Hairy Hawker Dragonfly is of the family Aeshnidae which is in the genus Brachytron.
Alternative names include Hairy Dragonfly and Spring Hawker. It has a
scattered distribution in Europe and parts of western Asia. It is absent
from Iceland and other northern latitudes. In the warmer part of its
range, it is on the wing from late March to early August but has a
shorter flight season elsewhere.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Monday, 8 June 2020
LARGE RED DAMSELFLY (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) male, Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
The Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) is of the family Coenagrionidae which is in the genus Pyrrhosoma.
It is commonly found in Europe, smaller populations occur in northern
Africa and western Asia. It is on the wing from April to early
September.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Sunday, 7 June 2020
EURASIAN PYGMY SHREW (Sorex minutus) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Eurasian Pygmy Shrew (Sorex minutus) or commonly known as the Pygmy Shrew is of the family Soricidae which is in the genus Sorex. It has a widespread distribution in Europe as well as parts of western and central Asia. It is very rarely seen out in the open and normally remains concealed in the undergrowth where it hunts a variety of invertebrates.
Up until 2008 it was the only shrew found in Ireland. Researchers investigating the high successful breeding rate of Barn Owls in a region of southeast Ireland discovered the remains of Greater White-toothed Shrews (Crocidura russula) in the owl pellets. This much larger and more robust shrew, which was probably accidental introduced in imported hay, has since become more widespread and has lead to the decline of the indigenous Pygmy Shrew in the newly colonised areas.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Saturday, 6 June 2020
SMALL PURPLE BARRED MOTH (Phytometra viridaria) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
The Small Purple-barred Moth (Phytometra viridaria) is of the family Erebidae which is in the genus Phytometra. It occurs in central, southern and western Europe. In Britain it has a widespread distribution in the southern half but is scattered and local further north. In Ireland it is very local and scarce with less than 300 individuals recorded and there are no records from a number of counties. The flight season extends from May to late August, peaking in early June.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
References:
https://www.leps.it/indexjs.htm?SpeciesPages/PhytoVirid.htm
http://www.mothsireland.com/gallery3/index.php/tag_albums/album/11/Day-Flying-Moths
http://www.mothsireland.com/images/2470.gif
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytometra_viridaria
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
References:
https://www.leps.it/indexjs.htm?SpeciesPages/PhytoVirid.htm
http://www.mothsireland.com/gallery3/index.php/tag_albums/album/11/Day-Flying-Moths
http://www.mothsireland.com/images/2470.gif
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytometra_viridaria
Friday, 5 June 2020
NARROW BORDERED BEE HAWK MOTH (Hemaris tityus) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
The Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris tityus) is of the family Sphingidae which is in the genus Hemaris. It
occurs through out the Palearctic region. This day flying bumblebee mimic is normally on the wing during May and June extending occasionally into July.
It is the only bee hawk-moth found in Ireland where it has a very local and scattered distribution. Elsewhere it can be confused with the very similar Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris fuciformis).
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
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