LESSER GARDEN SPIDER (Metellina segmentata) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 

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The Lesser Garden Spider (Metellina segmentata) is of the family Tetragnathidae which is in the genus Metellina.This is a common late summer and autumn species of orb spider. Seperate with care from the extremely similiar Summer Orbweaver (Metellina mengei) which tends to occure earlier in the season but they can overlap. 

 On female Lesser Garden Spider the black strip beneath the abdomen ends at the epigyne. On Summer Orbweaver the black stripe is more extensive and the male has long hairs on the underside of the fore tarsi. Examination by microscope is the only 100% reliable means of 

identification of these two species.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / RAW birds

 

PEACOCK BUTTERFLY (Aglais io) at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Aglais. It overwinters as an adult with its wings closed and the dark cryptic under wing pattern help it avoid detection by predators.

 

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MEADOW BROWN BUTTERFLY (Maniola jurtina) on COMMON KNAPWEED WILDFLOWER (Centaurea nigra) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 

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Click here for detailed Meadow Brown Butterfly information

Click here for detailed Common Knapweed Wildflower information

 

The Meadow Brown Butterfly (Maniola jurtina) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Maniola.

The Common Knapweed Wildflower (Centaurea nigra) or Lesser Knapweed is of the family Asteraceae which is in the genus Centaurea.

RAFT SPIDER (Dolomedes fimbriatus) [Female] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, 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

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WHITE LIPPED SNAIL / GARDEN BANDED SNAIL (Cepaea hortensis) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 

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The White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis) or Garden Banded Snail is of the family Helicidae which is in the genus Cepaea.

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

SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria) Lullymore West Bog, 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.

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COMMON FIELD GRASSHOPPER (Chorthippus brunneus) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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 The Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus) is of the family Acrididae which is in the genus Chorthippus.

COMMON RED SOLDIER BEETLE (Rhagonycha fulva) on WILD ANGELICA WILDFLOWER (Cicindela campestris) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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Click here for detailed Common Red Soldier Beetle information

Click here for detailed Wild Angelica Wildflower information

 

The Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva) is of the family Cantharidae which is in the genus Rhagonycha.

The Wild Angelica Wildflower (Angelica sylvestris) is of the family Apiaceae which is in the genus Angelica. 

GREEN TIGER BEETLE (Cicindela campestris) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

  

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The Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris)  is of the family Carabidae which is in the genus Cicindela.

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.

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).

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EMERALD DAMSELFLY or COMMON SPREADWING (Lestes sponsa) [female] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa) or Common Spreadwing is of the family Lestidae which is in the genus Lestes.

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.

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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.

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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

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. 

COMMON DARTER DRAGONFLY (Sympetrum striolatum) male 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.

MIGRANT HAWKER DRAGONFLY (Aeshna mixta) [Male] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Migrant Hawker Dragonfly (Aeshna mixta) is of the family Aeshnidae which is in the genus Aeshna.

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

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.

HEATHER COLLETES BEE (Colletes succictus) at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 

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The Heather Colletes Bee (Colletes succictus) is of the family Colletidae which is in the genus Colletes.

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

SILVER Y MOTH (Autographa gamma) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Silver Y Moth (Autographa gamma) is of the family Noctuidae which is in the genus Autographa.

YELLOW DUNG FLY (Scathophaga stercoraria) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 

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The Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) or Golden Dung Fly is of the family Scathophagidae which is in the genus Scathophaga.

MARSH DAMSEL BUG (Nabis limbatus) [Female] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Marsh Damsel Bug (Nabis limbatus) is of the family Nabidae which is in the genus Nabis.

PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY (Palomena prasina) on DEVIL'S BIT SCABIOUS WILDFLOWER (Succisa pratensis) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa cardui) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Vanessa.

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.

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