FOUR BANDED LONGHORN BEETLE (Leptura quadrifasciata) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Four Banded Longhorn Beetle (Leptura quadrifasciata) is of the family Cerambycidae which is in the genus Leptura. It occurs throughout the northern and central Palearctic region. In Britain it has a wide spread but local distribution. Based on published reports, it is an uncommon and very local species in Ireland and has only been recorded from fifteen locations.
The wood boring larvae feed on dead and decaying trees. The pollen eating adults feed on a variety of plants including umbellifers. The life cycle lasts 2 or 3 years but the adults are short lived which might account for the lack of records.

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 Reference:  https://maps.biodiversityireland.ie/Species/75569

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.

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FLOWER CRAB SPIDER (Misumena vatia) female waiting to ambush a HEATHER COLLETES BEE (Colletes succictus) 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.

The Heather Colletes Bee (Colletes succictus) is of the family Colletidae which is in the genus Colletes.

COMMON DARTER DRAGONFLY (Sympetrum striolatum) immature male Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Common Darter Dragonfly (Sympetrum striolatum) is of the family Libellulidae which is in the genus Sympetrum.

COMMON DARTER DRAGONFLY (Sympetrum striolatum) female Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Common Darter Dragonfly (Sympetrum striolatum) is of the family Libellulidae which is in the genus Sympetrum.

CINNABAR MOTH (Tyria jacobaeae) displaying Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae) is of the family Erebidae which is in the genus Tyria. This striking day flying macro moth occurs in Europe and western Asia. It is also found in North America, Australia and New Zealand as an introduced species. The larval food plant is Common Ragwort (Senecio Jacobea) and flight season peaks in June and July.

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GREEN LONGHORN MOTH (Adela reaumurella) female on 11th May 2021, Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Green Longhorn Moth (Adela reaumurella) is of the family Adelidae which is in the genus Adela. In the Palearctic Region, it has a scattered distribution but it can be locally common. In Ireland, there are less than 50 records which probably doesn't reflect its true status. This day flying micro moth is on the wing from April to June. The larva (caterpillar) feeds on leaf litter and overwinters as a pupa (chrysalis).

 

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EMPEROR DRAGONFLY (Anax imperator) male Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 

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The Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) or Blue Emperor Dragonfly is of the family Aeshnidae which is in the genus Anax. This large and powerful species is a voracious predator of other flying insects. Prey items including medium sized dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies and other flying invertebrates are captured on the wing but it tends to avoid predating bees, wasps and hard shelled flying insects such as beetles. Probably as a result of climate change, in the last 20 years or so it has greatly expanded its range north ward. Now relatively common throughout the Western Palearctic, excluding Iceland and the vast majority of Scandinavia. In the Eastern Atlantic it occurs on all the Macaronesian Islands. The first report for Ireland was from Co. Wexford in August 2000.

 

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GREEN SHIELDBUG (Palomena prasina) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 

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Click external link here to see identification guide to British and Irish Shieldbugs
 

The Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) or Green Stink Bug is of the family Pentatomidae which is in the genus Palomena. Shieldbugs go through five instar stages before becoming adults. In spring, separate with care from the Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus) which has fully red antennae compared to this species where only the two outer segments of the antennae are red .

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GORSE SHIELDBUG (Piezodorus lituratus) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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Click external link here to see identification guide to British and Irish Shieldbugs

 

The Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus) is of the family Pentatomidae which is in the genus Piezodorus.This species is found in most of the temperate regions of North America, Europe, Northern Asia and parts of Africa. It mainly occurs on Common Gorse (ulex europeaus), Common Broom (Sarothamnus scoparius) as well as various legumes (Fabaceae). There are two colour forms, green when it emerges from hibernation in late spring, having overwintered as an adult. The next generation appear in summer and following five instar stages, become green adults with purple red bar markings on the upper parts. In spring, its fully red antennae help separate from the very similar Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) which has partially red antennae.   

 

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VIVIPAROUS LIZARD or COMMON LIZARD (Zootoca vivipara) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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The Viviparous Lizard (Zootoca vivipara) or Common Lizard is of the family Lacertidae which is in the genus Zootoca. This viviparous reptile gives birth to live young, which is an adaptation that enables it to breed in colder regions where it hibernates for the winter. In the warmer parts of its range, it is oviparous or egg laying like other species of lizards and is active year round.

 

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 Distribution map of Viviparous Lizard (Zootoca vivipara)

EUROPEAN COMMON FROG (Orthetrum cancellatum) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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The European Common Frog (Rana temporaria) or Common Frog is of the family Ranidae which is in the genus Rana.

RED CAMPION WILDFLOWER (Silene dioica) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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The Red Campion Wildflower (Silene dioica) is of the family Caryophyllaceae which is in the genus Silene.

GREEN VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris napi) nectaring on Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) at Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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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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COMMON SNOUT HOVERFLY (Rhingia campestris) female, Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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The Common Snout Hoverfly (Rhingia campestris) is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Rhingia. It commonly occurs in the Palaearctic region. The flight season is from late March to mid November and there are two generations. This is a very striking species with a long snout and its larvae are found in dung or silage.

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Reference and highly recommended reading:

Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris

CRYPTIC WOOD WHITE BUTTERFLY (Leptidea juvernica) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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The Cryptic Wood White Butterfly (Leptidea juvernica) is of the family Pieridae which is in the genus Leptidea.

LARGE RED DAMSELFLY (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) male Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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The Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) is of the family Coenagrionidae which is in the genus Pyrrhosoma. It is commonly found in Europe, smaller populations occur in northern Africa and western Asia. It is on the wing from April to early September.

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GORSE WEEVIL or GORSE SEED WEEVIL (Exapion ulicis) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland

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The Gorse Weevil (Exapion ulicis) or Gorse Seed Weevil is of the family Brentidae which is in the genus Exapion.

COMMON BANDED HOVERFLY or HUMMING SYRPHUS HOVERFLY (Syrphus ribesii) female, Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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 Click external link here to see a Beginners Guide to Irish Hoverflies 

 

The Common Banded Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii) or Humming Syrphus Hoverfly is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Syrphus. This is a common and widespread species which is found throughout the temperate regions of the Holarctic. Separate with care from Syrphus vitripennis and Syrphus torvus which are almost identical in appearance. 

 

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Reference and highly recommended reading: 

Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris

FOUR SPOTTED CHASER DRAGONFLY or FOUR SPOTTED SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (Libellula quadrimaculata) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Four-spotted Chaser Dragonfly (Libellula quadrimaculata) is of the family Aeshnidae which is in the genus Libellula. It occurs in the temperate regions of Europe and Asia. It is also found in North America where it is known as the Four-spotted Skimmer. The flight season is from mid April to early September. 

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COMMON DOG VIOLET (Viola riviniana) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 

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The Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana) or more simply Dog Violet, also known as Wood Violet, is of family Violaceae which is in the genus Viola. This perennial wild flower is native to Eurasia as well as parts of northern Africa. Separate with care from the closely related Early Dog-violet (Viola reichenbachiana) and Heath Dog-violet (Viola canina) as well other European Viola.

 

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COMMON REED BUNTING (Emberiza schoeniclus) male, Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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 The Common Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) or more simply known as a Reed Bunting is of the bunting family Emberizidae which is in the genus Emberiza.

NETTLE WEEVIL (Phyllobius pomaceus) Lullymore West Bog, 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 beetle 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.

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SMALL COPPER BUTTERFLY (Lycaena phlaeas) male at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Small Copper Butterfly (Lycaena phlaeas) is of the family Lycaenids  which is in the genus Lycaena.

ORANGE TIP BUTTERFLY (Anthocharis cardamines) a male nectaring on Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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 The Orange-tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines) is of the family Pieridae which is in the genus Anthocharis. This common and widespread species is on the wing from early May to late June. The larval food plant is Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis) which is also known as Lady's Smock. It overwinters as a chrysalis.

 

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HAIRY HAWKER DRAGONFLY (Brachytron pratense) male, Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Hairy Hawker Dragonfly is of the family Aeshnidae which is in the genus Brachytron. Alternative names include Hairy Dragonfly and Spring Hawker. It has a scattered distribution in Europe and parts of western Asia. It is absent from Iceland and other northern latitudes. In the warmer part of its range, it is on the wing from late March to early August but has a shorter flight season elsewhere.

 

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DOWNLOOKER SNIPEFLY (Rhagio scolopaceus) male typically found resting facing downwards on tree trunks, fence posts or walls Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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Click external link here for details of Snipefly species found in Britain and Ireland

 

The Downlooker Snipefly (Rhagio scolopaceus) or Downlooker Snipe Fly is of the family Rhagionidae which is in the genus Rhagio.
Length 8 to 16 mm. This common species preys upon a wide variety of flies caught on the wing. Pollen is also eaten. Hedgerows, woodland rides and clearings with associated damp meadows are its typical habitats. The flight season is from early May to mid August. The larval stage, which occurs in soil and woodland detritus, feeds on earthworms as well as beetle larvae.

 

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BRIMSTONE BUTTERFLY (Gonepteryx rhamni) female egg laying on Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Brimstone Butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni) is of the family Pieridae which is in genus Gonepteryx. It occurs in Europe, Asia and parts of northern Africa. The presence of its larval host plants, Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) and Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus carthartica) influences its geographic range and distribution. This butterfly can live for up to a year and the flight season is from April to August. It then goes into hibernation and emerges in early spring the following year.
 

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