Bird, bug, butterfly and a wild variety of photos from Belarus, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland and Spain by Irish wildlife photographer Patrick J. O'Keeffe and invited guests

Tuesday 29 September 2020

Sunday 27 September 2020

SMALL COPPER BUTTERFLY (Lycaena phlaeas) on DEVIL'S BIT SCABIOUS WILDFLOWER (Succisa pratensis) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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The Small Copper Butterfly (Lycaena phlaeas) is of the family Lycaenids  which is in the genus Lycaena.
The Devil's-bit Scabious Wildflower (Succisa pratensis) is of the family Caprifoliaceae which is in the genus Succisa.

Saturday 26 September 2020

RINGLET BUTTERFLY (Aphantopus hyperantus) Lullymore West Bog, 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

Thursday 24 September 2020

Wednesday 23 September 2020

GREEN HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY (Callophrys rubi) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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The Green Hairstreak Butterfly (Callophrys rubi) is of the family Lycaenidae which is in the genus Callophrys. This small butterfly has a widespread distribution in Europe, Asia and northern Africa. When seen in flight, with its dull brown upper wings, it can easily be confused with darker coloured species. When not feeding it lands on green foliage always resting with the wings closed, revealing the iridescent green underwing. With this camouflage, it can be surprisingly difficult to spot. The flight season can extend from late March to early August but has a much shorter season in the northern part of its range.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Tuesday 22 September 2020

BRIMSTONE BUTTERFLY (Gonepteryx rhamni) male at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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The Brimstone Butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni) is of the family Pieridae which is in genus Gonepteryx. It occurs in Europe, Asia and parts of northern Africa. The presence of its larval host plants, Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) and Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus carthartica) influences its geographic range and distribution. This butterfly can live for up to a year and the flight season is from April to August. It then overwinters as an adult and emerges, after seven months, from hibernation.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Sunday 20 September 2020

COMMON BLUE BUTTERFLY (Polyommatus icarus) [pair copulating, female on right] Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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The Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) is of the family Lycaenidae which is in the genus Polyommatus. This species has a widespread distribution across the Palaearctic region and in 2005 it was found as an invasive species in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada where it has continued to extend and colonise new areas. In southern Europe, the flight season is protracted, from early March into November, over a number of generations. In Britain and Ireland, it is on the wing from May to late September, over two generations 
The male has striking blue upper wings and lighter brown and blueish washed under wings compared to the female's brownish upper and under wings although her upper wings can be blueish brown in some populations. Males are very territorial and are constantly in search of receptive females. When the sexes meet, copulation occurs immediately, usually without any courtship ritual. Eggs are laid on the preferred larval food plant Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) or on plants from pea and bean family (Leguminosae). It overwinters as a larva (caterpillar) which emerges from hibernation the following season to continue feeding on its larval plant.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds 
 Reference: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_blue

Saturday 19 September 2020

SEVEN SPOT LADYBIRD / SEVEN SPOTTED LADYBUG (Sympetrum striolatum) [recently emerged and at intermediate colour stage] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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The Seven Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), also known as Seven Spotted Ladybug in North America, is of the family Coccinellidae which is in the genus Coccinella

SEVEN SPOT LADYBIRD / SEVEN SPOTTED LADYBUG (Sympetrum striolatum) [freshly emerged from pupa casing] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 
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The Seven Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), also known as Seven Spotted Ladybug in North America, is of the family Coccinellidae which is in the genus Coccinella

Tuesday 15 September 2020

TAPERED DRONEFLY / TAPERED HOVERFLY (Eristalis pertinax) female, Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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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).

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
 
Reference and highly recommended reading:
Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris

Monday 14 September 2020

FOUR SPOTTED CHASER DRAGONFLY or FOUR SPOTTED SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (Libellula quadrimaculata) with prey Lullymore West Bog, 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

Sunday 13 September 2020

PERFORATE St. JOHN'S WORT WILDFLOWER (Hypericum perforatum) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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The Perforate St. John's Wort Wildflower (Hypericum perforatum) or more commonly known as St. John's Wort is of the family Hypericaceae which is in the genus Hypericum.

Saturday 12 September 2020

Friday 11 September 2020

SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY (Aglais urticae) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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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

Wednesday 9 September 2020

Sunday 6 September 2020

GREEN SHIELDBUG (Palomena prasina) 3rd instar Nymph, Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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Click here to see identification guide to British and Irish Shieldbugs
 
The Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) or Green Stink Bug is of the family Pentatomidae which is in the genus Palomena. Shieldbugs go through five instar stages before becoming adults.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Thursday 3 September 2020

THE FOOTBALLER HOVERFLY (Helophilus pendulus) male, Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland



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The Footballer Hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus) is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Helophilus.
 
Reference and highly recommended reading:
Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris

Wednesday 2 September 2020

Tuesday 1 September 2020

COMMON DARTER DRAGONFLY (Sympetrum striolatum) [Female] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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The Common Darter Dragonfly (Sympetrum striolatum) is of the family Libellulidae which is in the genus Sympetrum. This is the commonest dragonfly that occurs throughout Eurasia. In the southern part of its range the flight season is year round. In Britain and Ireland it is on the wing from June to late October. Separate with care from the very similar Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) which has all black legs and a slightly tapered mid abdomen.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds