Bird, bug, butterfly and a wild variety of photos from Belarus, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland and Spain by Irish wildlife photographer Patrick J. O'Keeffe and invited guests

Tuesday 3 November 2020

LADYBIRD / SEVEN SPOTTED LADYBUG (Sympetrum striolatum) [fresh adult] 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.

Monday 2 November 2020

SEVEN SPOT LADYBIRD / SEVEN SPOTTED LADYBUG (Sympetrum striolatum) [late stage pupa] 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.

Sunday 1 November 2020

FLOWER CRAB SPIDER (Misumena vatia) [female] on DEVIL'S BIT SCABIOUS WILDFLOWER (Succisa pratensis) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland


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Flower Crab Spider information
Click here for detailed Devil's-bit Scabious Wildflower information
 
The Flower Crab Spider (Misumena vatia) is of the family Thomisidae which is in the genus Misumena.
The Devil's-bit Scabious Wildflower (Succisa pratensis) is of the family Caprifoliaceae which is in the genus Succisa.

Saturday 31 October 2020

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

Friday 30 October 2020

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

Thursday 29 October 2020

Tuesday 27 October 2020

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.

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

Monday 26 October 2020

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

Sunday 25 October 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