IVY BROOMRAPE WILDFLOWER (Orobanche hederae) Abbeyleix Bog, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, Ireland

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The Ivy Broomrape Wildflower (Orobanche hederaeer) is of the family  Orobanchaceae which is in the genus Orobanche. It is a parasite of Common Ivy (Hedera helix) and is attached to the hosts root system. This uncommon wild plant does not have any chlorophyll of its own so is totally dependent on the host species for survival.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

SILVER WASHED FRITILLARY BUTTERFLY (Argynnis paphia) Abbeyleix Bog, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, Ireland

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The Silver-washed Fritillary Butterfly (Argynnis paphia) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Argynnis. This very large species occurs throughout the temperate regions of the Palearctic. In Britain, it is found in the southern half of England and Wales. It has a very scattered distribution in Ireland.

Eggs are laid in tree crevices close of it's larval foodplant Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana). The larvae hatch in August and immediately hibernate. They emerge the following April and then feed on the foodplant. Pupation occurs during May and the adult flight season is from July to late September.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

PALE SADDLED LEUCOZONA HOVERFLY (Leucozona glaucia) female Abbeyleix Bog, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, Ireland

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The Pale Saddled Leucozona Hoverfly (Leucozona glaucia) is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Leucozona. This Palearctic species has a scattered and local distribution in Ireland.The flight season is from early May to mid September. The larval food source are aphids. The pollen eating adults are commonly found on umbellifer plants.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds  

 

Reference and highly recommended reading:

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

BEAUTIFUL DEMOISELLE DAMSELFLY (Calopteryx virgo) male Abbeyleix Bog, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, Ireland

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The Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly (Calopteryx virgo) is of the family Calopterygidae which is in the genus Calopteryx.

BEAUTIFUL DEMOISELLE DAMSELFLY (Calopteryx virgo) female Abbeyleix Bog, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, Ireland

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The Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly (Calopteryx virgo) is of the family Calopterygidae which is in the genus Calopteryx.

GOAT MOTH (Cossus cossus) caterpillar on 12-08-2020, Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland

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The Goat Moth (Cossus cossus) is of the family Cossidae which is in the genus Cossus. This large species occurs in broad leaved woodland across North America and Eurasia. In mid summer when the lava (caterpillar) hatches it bores into a deciduous tree. Having spent up to five year feeding inside the trunk or branch, the fully grown 10cm long larva emerges from the tree during August. It then makes a cocoon among debris on the ground where the pupal stage takes place and remains there until June the following year when it becomes a moth. The flight season, during which the adults don't feed, peaks in June and July. There is a strong musky smell reminiscent of goat from the larva (caterpillar) hence the adults name.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

With thanks to the local lady and her two children who found the caterpillar and pointed it out to me.

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.   

 

Patrick J. O;Keeffe / Raw Birds

HAIRY SHIELDBUG (Dolycoris baccarumm) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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Click here to see identification guide to British and Irish Shieldbugs 

 

The Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum) or Sloe Bug, is of the family Pentatomidae which is in the genus Dolycoris. Shieldbugs go through five instar stages before becoming adults.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

FOUR SPOTTED CHASER DRAGONFLY or FOUR SPOTTED SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (Libellula quadrimaculata) 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

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

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

YELLOW BARRED BOG HOVERFLY (Sericomyia silentis) [Male wing stretching] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Yellow-barred Bog Hoverfly (Sericomyia silentis) or Bog Hoverfly is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Sericomyia.

 

Reference and highly recommended reading:

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