LARGE AMBER SNAIL (Succinea putris) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

The Large Amber Snail (Succinea putris) is of the family Succineidae which is in the genus Succinea. This land snail has a widespread distribution in the temperate regions of the Palaearctic. The shell length is 12-17mm, 6-9mm wide and has up to three mottled whorls which are darker than the rest of shell. It occurs in the damp well vegetated margins of ponds, lakes, rivers and fresh water marshes.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

LESSER DIVING BEETLE (Acilius sulcatus) [female] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

The Lesser Diving Beetle (Acilius sulcatus) is of the family Dytiscidae which is in the genus Acilius. Also known as the Grooved Diving Beetle, it occurs on all continents of the world except Antarctica. In Ireland this water beetle has a very scattered distribution but as in other countries it is probably under recorded due to its aquatic life style. Separate with care from the almost identical but rarer Acilius canaliculatus by differences in face pattern. As a strong flier, it is not confined to a single body of water. It overwinters deep under water as an adult.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

CATSEAR (Hypochaeris radicata) stems infected by galls of the CATSEAR GALL WASP (Phanacis hypochoeridis) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

The (Common) Catsear (Hypochaeris radicata) is of the family Asteraceae which is in the genus Hypochaeris. Alternative names include Flatweed, Cat's-ear and False Dandelion. This wildflower is a widespread perennial in the temperate regions of Europe and also occurs as an invasive species in the Americas, Japan, Australia as well as New Zealand.
The Catsear Gall Wasp (Phanacis hypochoeridis) is of the family Hymenoptera which is in the genus Phanacis. In the early part of the flowering season, the female lays her eggs in the stems of (Common) Catsear (Hypochaeris radicata) that subsequently turn into larvae. An elongated gall is then formed that can contain up to 50 larvae which causes the stem to swell. Later in the season the larvae pupate within the gall and remain encased there overwinter. They emerge from the gall as wasps in late spring the following year.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

LATTICED HEATH MOTH (Chiasmia clathrata) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

The Latticed Heath (Chiasmia clathrata) is of the family Geometridae which is in the genus Chiasmia. This day flying moth occurs throughout the Palearctic region. It is on the wing from mid May to mid September over two generations, peaking in June/July. In Ireland it has a scattered distribution where it can be locally common but is largely absent from the southwest. It overwinters as a pupa (chrysalis).

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

RINGLET BUTTERFLY (Aphantopus hyperantus) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

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

COMMON LOUSEWORT (Pedicularis sylvatica) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

The Common Lousewort (Pedicularis sylvatica) is of the family Orobanchaceae which is in the genus Pedicularis. This short compact wildflower occurs in central and northern Europe where it grows in moist acidic soils. It is a hemi-parasitic biennial species which gains some of its nutrients from the roots of other plants. The flowering season is from April to late July.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

TAPERED DRONEFLY or TAPERED HOVERFLY (Eristalis pertinax) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click external link here for detailed species information

 

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

BLUE TAILED DAMSELFLY (Ischnura elegans) [Immature female, form rufescens] Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

 

The Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans) is of the family Coenagrionidae which is in the genus Ischnura. It commonly occurs throughout Europe. In this species the abdomen S8 is blue coloured. Separate with care from the very similar but smaller Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura pumilio) whose abdomen S9 is blue. The flight season extends from April to early October. Immature females have a number of colour variations including the pink form rufescens.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds 

RAGGED ROBIN WILDFLOWER (Lychnis flos-cuculi) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

 

The Ragged Robin Wildflower (Lychnis flos-cuculi) is of the family Caryophyllaceae which is in the genus Lychnis. This perennial wildflower occurs in Europe, Asia and as an invasive species in parts of Canada and United States. The flowering season is from May to late August.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

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

 CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE
Click here for detailed species information

 

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