Sunday 22 August 2021
Friday 20 August 2021
BATMAN HOVERFLY (Myathropa florea) female Curraghchase Forest Park, Co. Limerick, Ireland
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The Batman Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Myathropa.
This common species occurs in Europe as well as parts of North Africia.The flight season is from from mid April to late October. Even darker individuals show the diagnostic "batman logo" shape on the lower half of the thorax and hence its common name.
Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax) or Tapered Hoverfly male on left and Batman Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) female nectering on Common Blackberry flowers (Rubus fruticosus).
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Reference and highly recommended reading:
Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger MorrisThursday 19 August 2021
FURRY HOVERFLY or FURRY DRONEFLY (Eristalis intricaria) female Curraghchase Forest Park, Co. Limerick, Ireland
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Click external link here for Ireland and European distribution maps
The Furry Hoverfly (Eristalis intricaria) or Furry Dronefly is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Eristalis. This sexually diamorphic (♂ and ♀ have different characteristics) European species is on the wing from April to September. Males in particular need to be separated with care from other hoverfly bumblebee mimics. Id feature; hind legs dark with partially pale tibiae.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Reference and highly recommended reading:
Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris
Wednesday 18 August 2021
EMERALD DAMSELFLY or COMMON SPREADWING (Lestes sponsa) male Curraghchase Forest Park, Co. Limerick, Ireland
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The Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa) or Common Spreadwing is of the family Lestidae which is in the genus Lestes.
Tuesday 17 August 2021
RED UNDERWING MOTH (Catocala nupta) on 17-08-2021 attracted to security light Broadmeadow Estuary, Swords, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
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Click external link here to see Ireland distribution map and statusThe Red Underwing Moth (Catocala nupta) is of the family Erebidae which is in the genus Catocala. This is a large macro moth with a wingspan of 80mm and occurs in the temperate regions of the Palearctic. There are less than fifteen Irish records. The first record was from Co. Cork on 16th September 1906. There were no further reports until September 2016 when it was found in Co. Louth. All subsequent reports have been from that county as well as several from Co. Dublin and there is a single record from Co. Meath.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Sunday 15 August 2021
MARSHAM'S NOMAD BEE (Nomada marshamella) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland
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The Marsham's Nomad Bee (Nomada marshamella) is of the family Apidae which is in the genus Nomada. This cuckoo bee is a wasp mimic and is a cleptoparasite of the Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica) as well as other mining bees in the genus Andrena. The flight season is from April to early September and its food source is pollen.
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Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Saturday 14 August 2021
TAPERED DRONEFLY or TAPERED HOVERFLY (Eristalis pertinax) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland
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Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Click external link here for detailed species information
The Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax) or Tapered Hoverfly is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Eristalis. This hoverfly is commonly found in Europe. It has a long flight season over a number of generations which extends
from February to early November and overwinters as an adult. Key identification features include: large size, distinctive genus wing
pattern, tapered abdomen, black antennae, yellowish front
and middle lower legs (tarsi).
Reference and highly recommended reading:
Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris Wednesday 11 August 2021
MEADOW SPIDER (Pardosa saltans) female with egg sack Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland
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The Meadow Spider (Pardosa saltans) or Meadow Wolf Spider is of the family Lycosidae which is in the genus Pardosa. This is a small dark species but there are a number of similar wolf spiders so it can only be identified with 100% certainty by microscopic examination.
Click external link here for detailed wolf spider information
"Requires examination at high magnification in good lighting, typically examination of the genitalia." Bee, L., Oxford, G., & Smith, H. (2020). Britain's Spiders: A Field Guide. Second Edition. Princeton University Press.
Tuesday 10 August 2021
HAIRY BINDWEED WILDFLOWER (Calystegia pulchra) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland
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The Hairy Bindweed Wildflower (Calystegia pulchra) is of the family Convolvulaceae which is in the genus Calystegia. This perennial species has large trumpet shaped pink flowers with pale white stripes as well as slightly downy or hairy stems and bracts.
Click external link here for detailed species information
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Monday 9 August 2021
CARNIVAL CANDY SLIME MOULD (Arcyria denudata) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland
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The Carnival Candy Slime Mould (Arcyria denudata) is of the family Arcyriaceae which is in the genus Arcyria. This is a very striking pink species which was formally consider to be a fungus but has now been reclassified as a slime mould. It is found on dead and decaying wood in damp habitats.
Click external link here for detailed species information
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Sunday 8 August 2021
SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY (Aglais urticae) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Kells, Co. Meath, 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
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Thursday 5 August 2021
BLACK DARTER DRAGONFLY or BLACK MEADOWHAWK DRAGONFLY (Sympetrum danae) female, Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland
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The Black Darter Dragonfly (Sympetrum danae) is of the family Libellulidae which is in the genus Sympetrum. It occurs in northern Eurasia as well as parts of North America where it is know as Black Meadowhawk Dragonfly. The flight season is from July to September.
Click external link here for detailed species information
The Black Darter Dragonfly (Sympetrum danae) is of the family Libellulidae which is in the genus Sympetrum. It occurs in northern Eurasia as well as parts of North America where it is know as Black Meadowhawk Dragonfly. The flight season is from July to September.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Tuesday 3 August 2021
GOAT MOTH (Cossus cossus) caterpillar on 12-08-2020, Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland
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The Goat Moth (Cossus cossus) is of the family Cossidae which is in the genus Cossus. This large species occurs in broad leaved woodland across North America and Eurasia. In mid summer when the lava (caterpillar) hatches it bores into a deciduous tree. Having spent up to five year feeding inside the trunk or branch, the fully grown 10cm long larva emerges from the tree during August. It then makes a cocoon among debris on the ground where the pupal stage takes place and remains there until June the following year when it becomes a moth. The flight season, during which the adults don't feed, peaks in June and July. There is a strong musky smell reminiscent of goat from the larva (caterpillar) hence the adults name.
Click external link here for detailed species information
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
With thanks to the local lady and her two children who found the caterpillar and pointed it out to me.
Monday 2 August 2021
FLOWERING RUSH Wild Plant (Butomus umbellatus) Girley Bog, Natural Heritage Area (NHA), Scurlockstown, Co. Meath, Ireland
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The Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus) is of the family Butomaceae which is in the genus Butomus. This perennial rhizomatous wild plant is native to Europe as well as Western Asia and is found as an invasive species in parts of North America. It occurs in aquatic habitats along fresh water lakes, streams and rivers. The flowering season extends from July to late August.
Click external link here for detailed species information
Patrick J. O'Keeffe /Raw Birds
Sunday 1 August 2021
FOURTEEN SPOT LADYBIRD (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata) on STINGING NETTLE (Urtica dioica) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Click external link here for detailed Fourteen Spot Ladybird information
Click external link here for detailed Stinging Nettle information
Click external link here to see identification guide to Irish Ladybirds
The Fourteen Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata) is of the family Coccinellidae which is in the genus Propylea.
Thursday 29 July 2021
LARGE WHITE BUTTERFLY or LARGE CABBAGE WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris brassicae) at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Large White Butterfly (Pieris brassicae) or Large Cabbage White Butterfly is of the family Pieridae which is in the genus Pieris. It occurs very commonly through out Eurasia and North Africa as well as an introduced species in South Africa. Although larger, it can be confused with the Small White Butterfly (Pieris rapae) which has a much reduced black edge to the upper forewing.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Wednesday 28 July 2021
KEELED SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (Orthetrum coerulescens) male Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Keeled Skimmer Dragonfly (Orthetrum coerulescens) is of the family Libellulidae which is in the genus Orthetrum.
Tuesday 27 July 2021
KEELED SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (Orthetrum coerulescens) female Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Click external link here for detailed species information
The Keeled Skimmer Dragonfly (Orthetrum coerulescens) is of the family Libellulidae which is in the genus Orthetrum.
Monday 26 July 2021
KEELED SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (Orthetrum coerulescens) pair copulating Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Keeled Skimmer Dragonfly (Orthetrum coerulescens) is of the family Libellulidae which is in the genus Orthetrum.
Sunday 25 July 2021
COMMON CENTAURY WILDFLOWER or EUROPEAN CENTAURY WILDFLOWER (Centaurium erythraea) white form, Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Common Centaury Wildflower or European Centaury Wildflower (Centaurium erythraea) is of the family Gentianaceae which is in the genus Centaurium.
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Saturday 24 July 2021
COMMON CENTAURY WILDFLOWER or EUROPEAN CENTAURY WILDFLOWER (Centaurium erythraea) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Common Centaury Wildflower or European Centaury Wildflower (Centaurium erythraea) is of the family Gentianaceae which is in the genus Centaurium.
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Friday 23 July 2021
SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
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The Speckled Wood Butterfly (Pararge aegeria) is of the family Acanthosomatidae which is in the genus Pararge. This is a very common species and is found throughout the Palearctic region. It occurs in a wide variety of habitats including urban gardens with a preference for shaded areas. Overwintering either as a lava or a pupa enables an extended flight season from April to October.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Thursday 22 July 2021
SELF HEAL WILDFLOWER (Prunella vulgaris) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Self Heal Wildflower (Prunella vulgaris) is of the family Lamiaceae which is in the genus Prunella.
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Wednesday 21 July 2021
COMMON MILKWORTH WILDFLOWER (Polygala vulgaris) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Common Milkworth Wildflower (Polygala vulgaris) is of the family Polygalaceae which is in the genus Polygala.
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Tuesday 20 July 2021
COMMON BLUE DAMSELFLY (Enallagma cyathigerum) immature male Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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The Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) is of the family Coenagrionidae which is in the genus Enallagma. The flight season is from early May to early September.
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Monday 19 July 2021
AZURE DAMSELFLY (Coenagrion puella) male Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Click external link here for detailed species information
The Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella) is of the family Coenagrionidae which is in the genus Coenagrion.
It is the most abundant bluet in Europe and also occurs in parts of
northern
Africa and western Asia. It is absent from northern latitudes and from
eastern Iberia. The flight period is from April to September, peaking in
June and July.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Saturday 17 July 2021
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.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Reference: https://maps.biodiversityireland.ie/Species/75569
Click external link here for detailed species information
Click external link here to see distribution map for Ireland
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.
Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds
Reference: https://maps.biodiversityireland.ie/Species/75569
Friday 16 July 2021
SILVER WASHED FRITILLARY BUTTERFLY (Argynnis paphia) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Click external link 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
Thursday 15 July 2021
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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Click external link here for detailed Flower Crab Spider information
Click external link here for detailed Flower Crab Spider information
Click external link here for detailed Heather Colletes Bee information
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.
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