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

Friday, 19 June 2020

GREEN VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris napi) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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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.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Thursday, 18 June 2020

GWYNN'S MINING BEE (Andrena bicolor) female at Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Rathangan, Co. Kildare, Ireland



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The Gwynn's Mining Bee (Andrena bicolor) is of the family Andrenidae which is in the genus Andrena. This ground nesting solitary bee has a widespread distribution in Europe extending eastwards to Central Asia but is absent from colder northern regions. 
Unlike other Andrena bees which are single brooded (univoltine), Gwynn's mining bee is on the wing from early March to early September, over two generations (bivoltine). 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

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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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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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

Saturday, 13 June 2020

SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY (Aglais urticae) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, 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

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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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


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The Burnet Companion Moth (Euclidia glyphica) is of the family Erebidae which is in the genus Euclidia. It occurs through the Palearctic region. This day flying species is on the wing from April to late July, peaking in June. Larva (caterpillar) can be seen from late June to the end of August and then overwinters as a pupa, in a cocoon.
 
 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

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