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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information
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 15 August 2020
FLOWER CRAB SPIDER (Misumena vatia) [Female with Blow-fly prey] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
Friday 14 August 2020
MARSH CRANEFLY (Tipula oleracea) female infected with Orange Phoretic Mites at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click external link here for detailed species information |
The Marsh Cranefly (Tipula oleracea) is of the family Tipulidae which is in the genus Tipula.
Phoretic mites form a non permanent relationship with their host. This is known as phoresis or phoresy, in which one organism attaches itself to another species solely for the purpose of travel to new habitat and then drop off. In this case the orange phoretic mites have attached themselves to the side of the craneflys thorax.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoresis
Phoretic mites form a non permanent relationship with their host. This is known as phoresis or phoresy, in which one organism attaches itself to another species solely for the purpose of travel to new habitat and then drop off. In this case the orange phoretic mites have attached themselves to the side of the craneflys thorax.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoresis
Wednesday 12 August 2020
COMMON DARTER DRAGONFLY (Sympetrum striolatum) pair copulating Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Common Darter Dragonfly (Sympetrum striolatum) is of the family Libellulidae which is in the genus Sympetrum. This is the commonest dragonfly that occurs throughout Eurasia. In the southern part of its range the flight season is year round. In Britain and Ireland it is on the wing from June to late October. Separate with care from the very similar Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) which has all black legs and a slightly tapered mid abdomen. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
Tuesday 11 August 2020
COMMON DARTER DRAGONFLY [Female] (Sympetrum striolatum) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Common Darter Dragonfly (Sympetrum striolatum) is of the family Libellulidae which is in the genus Sympetrum. |
Monday 10 August 2020
COMMON DARTER DRAGONFLY [Male] (Sympetrum striolatum) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
The Common Darter Dragonfly (Sympetrum striolatum) is of the family Libellulidae which is in the genus Sympetrum.
Sunday 9 August 2020
GREEN VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris napi) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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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.
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Saturday 8 August 2020
GIANT TACHINID FLY (Tachina grossa) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
The Giant Tachinid FLY (Tachina grossa) is of the family Tachinidae which is in the genus Tachina.
Friday 7 August 2020
TWO BANDED WASP HOVERFLY [Female] (Chrysotoxum bicinctum) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Two Banded Wasp Hoverfly (Chrysotoxum bicinctum) is of the family Syrphidaeum which is in the genus Chrysotoxum. Reference and highly recommended reading: Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris |
Thursday 6 August 2020
SILVER WASHED FRITILLARY BUTTERFLY (Argynnis paphia) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information
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.
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Wednesday 5 August 2020
RAFT SPIDER (Dolomedes fimbriatus) [Juvenile] Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information 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 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
Tuesday 4 August 2020
YELLOW BARRED BOG HOVERFLY (Sericomyia silentis) [Male wing stretching] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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 Monday 3 August 2020
PEACOCK BUTTERFLY (Aglais io) at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click external link here for detailed species information 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. |
Sunday 2 August 2020
PEACOCK BUTTERFLY (Aglais io) caterpillars or larvae feeding Nettles at Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click external link here for detailed species information 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. |
Saturday 1 August 2020
BROWN HAWKER DRAGONFLY (Aeshna grandis) [Pair copulating, only the male has a blue tint to the eyes and blue marking on S2 of the abdomen] Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
The Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis) is of the family Aeshnidae which is in the genus Aeshna.
Friday 31 July 2020
HAIRY SHIELDBUG (Dolycoris baccarumm) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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
Thursday 30 July 2020
RED ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY (Vanessa atalanta) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
The Red Admiral Butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Vanessa.
Wednesday 29 July 2020
ROUND LEAVED SUNDEW (Drosera rotundifolia) with ensnared VARIABLE DAMSELFLY (Coenagrion pulchellum) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information The Round-leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) or Common Sundew is of the family Droseraceae which is in the genus Drosera. It occurs in northern Europe, parts of North America and Asia as well as New Guinea. This carnivorous plant is commonly found in bogs and fens. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
VARIABLE DAMSELFLY (Coenagrion pulchellum) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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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. |
Monday 27 July 2020
Sunday 26 July 2020
MARSH SNIPE FLY (Rhagio tringarius) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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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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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information
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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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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
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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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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE |
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
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| Sula leucogaster plotus Sula leucogaster nominate Sula leucogaster etesiaca Sula leucogaster brewsteri |
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_booby
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