FLOWER CRAB SPIDER (Misumena vatia) [male] Lullymore West Bog, 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

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

MEADOW BROWN BUTTERFLY (Maniola jurtina) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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

SMALL HEATH BUTTERFLY (Coenonympha pamphilus) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Small Heath Butterfly (Coenonympha pamphilus) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Coenonympha.

HAIRY SHIELDBUG (Dolycoris baccarumm) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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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.

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FLOWER CRAB SPIDER (Misumena vatia) [Female] Lullymore West Bog, 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

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

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.

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.

 

 Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds