CARNIVAL CANDY SLIME MOULD (Arcyria denudata) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland

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The Carnival Candy Slime Mould (Arcyria denudata) is of the family Arcyriaceae which is in the genus Arcyria. This is a very striking pink species which was formally consider to be a fungus but has now been reclassified as a slime mould. It is found on dead and decaying wood in damp habitats.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY (Aglais urticae) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Kells, Co. Meath, 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.

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GORSE SHIELDBUG (Piezodorus lituratus) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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Click external link here to see identification guide to British and Irish Shieldbugs

 

The Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus) is of the family Pentatomidae which is in the genus Piezodorus.This species is found in most of the temperate regions of North America, Europe, Northern Asia and parts of Africa. It mainly occurs on Common Gorse (ulex europeaus), Common Broom (Sarothamnus scoparius) as well as various legumes (Fabaceae). There are two colour forms, green when it emerges from hibernation in late spring, having overwintered as an adult. The next generation appear in summer and following five instar stages, become green adults with purple red bar markings on the upper parts. In spring, its fully red antennae help separate from the very similar Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) which has partially red antennae.   

 

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EUROPEAN COMMON FROG (Orthetrum cancellatum) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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The European Common Frog (Rana temporaria) or Common Frog is of the family Ranidae which is in the genus Rana.

COMMON SNOUT HOVERFLY (Rhingia campestris) female, Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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The Common Snout Hoverfly (Rhingia campestris) is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Rhingia. It commonly occurs in the Palaearctic region. The flight season is from late March to mid November and there are two generations. This is a very striking species with a long snout and its larvae are found in dung or silage.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

Reference and highly recommended reading:

Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris

CRYPTIC WOOD WHITE BUTTERFLY (Leptidea juvernica) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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The Cryptic Wood White Butterfly (Leptidea juvernica) is of the family Pieridae which is in the genus Leptidea.

LARGE RED DAMSELFLY (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) male Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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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

GORSE WEEVIL or GORSE SEED WEEVIL (Exapion ulicis) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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The Gorse Weevil (Exapion ulicis) or Gorse Seed Weevil is of the family Brentidae which is in the genus Exapion.

BLACK TAILED GODWIT + BAR TAILED GODWIT (on right) Juveniles Limosa limosa + Limosa lapponica Gormanston Beach, Co. Meath, Ireland

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RAFT SPIDER (Dolomedes fimbriatus) Girley Bog, Drewstown Woods, County Meath, Ireland

 

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The Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) is a semi-aquatic member of the family Pisauridaeone which is in the genus Dolomedes. It is one of Ireland’s largest spiders. Also known as the Hunting Spider or the Jesus Christ spider for its ability to walk on water. It occurs in sphagnum bogs. Main prey items include aquatic and terrestrial  insects, invertebrates as well as tadpoles which it detects using its forelegs to sense any vibrations on the water surface. If threatened, it can submerge itself under water for up to 60 minutes.

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BLACK LEGGED KITTIWAKE (Rissa tridactyla) Gormanston Beach, Gormanston, Co. Meath, Ireland

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The Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) is of the gull family Laridae which is in the genus Rissa. The only other member of the genus Rissa is the Red-legged Kittiwake (Rissa brevirostris) where less than 200,000 pairs breed on some of the Bering Sea Islands between Russia and Alaska,USA.

 

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