CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum) is of the family Coenagrionidae which is in the genus Coenagrion. |
Wednesday 29 July 2020
VARIABLE DAMSELFLY (Coenagrion pulchellum) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
Monday 27 July 2020
GARDEN BUMBLEBEE (Bombus hortorum) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
Sunday 26 July 2020
MARSH SNIPE FLY (Rhagio tringarius) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Marsh Snipe Fly (Rhagio tringarius) is of the family Rhagionidae which is in the genus Rhagio. |
Saturday 25 July 2020
YELLOW DUNG FLY (Scathophaga stercoraria) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) is of the family Scathophagidae which is in the genus Scathophaga.
Friday 24 July 2020
SILVER WASHED FRITILLARY BUTTERFLY (Argynnis paphia) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, 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
Monday 20 July 2020
FLOWER CRAB SPIDER (Misumena vatia) female with bumblebee prey Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Flower Crab Spider (Misumena vatia) is of the family Thomisidae which is in the genus Misumena. It
occurs in the temperate regions of Europe and North America where it is
known as Goldenrod Crab Spider or more simply Flower Spider.
Only the female can change colour normally either from white to yellow or visa versa but this can be a protracted process. The minute black and white male can be a real challenge to locate.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
Saturday 18 July 2020
MEADOW FROGHOPPER (Phyllobius pomaceus) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Meadow Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius) also known as Meadow Spittlebug, Common Froghopper or simply Froghopper is of the family Aphrophoridae which is in the genus Philaenus. It has a widespread distribution throughout the Palearctic region and is also found as an invasive species in parts of North America.
When the larva hatches out, it self-generates a foam nest which is commonly known as Cuckoo spit that can be found on a variety of plant species. After 50 days and a series of instar stages, the adult emerges from the now dried casing.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Friday 17 July 2020
NETTLE WEEVIL (Phyllobius pomaceus) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus) is of the family Curculionidae which is in the genus Phyllobius. This small species has a scattered distribution in Britain and Ireland but can be locally common in some areas. It overwinters as a pupa and emerges as an adult in late April. The adults feed on the leaves of Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) and Meadow Sweet (Filipendula ulmaria) until late June.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Thursday 16 July 2020
COMMON BLUE BUTTERFLY [Female] (Polyommatus icarus) 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 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 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 |
Tuesday 14 July 2020
BROWN BOOBY (Sula leucogaster) Greystones South Beech, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
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The Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) is of the family Sulidae which is in the genus Sula. This large seabird has a pan-tropical range and very rarely occurs in North East Atlantic waters.
Found on 13th July 2020, this is the third Irish record but unfortunately had to be taken into care today (14th July) when its condition deteriorated. There are two previous Irish records, a tideline corpse in Co. Cork on 2nd January 2016 and one seen from a fishing trawler off Co. Kerry on 13th and 14th August also in 2016.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Four subspecies are recognised; map showing the world distribution
Sula leucogaster plotus Sula leucogaster nominate Sula leucogaster etesiaca Sula leucogaster brewsteri |
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_booby
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