Explore the diverse flora and fauna on the Downs from season to season through personal observations and photographs

Wednesday, 16 Jul 2025

mating pair of Gatekeeper butterflies

It is still the most prominent butterfly and today I found the female of a mating pair of Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) carrying a parasitic Trombidium breei mite.  A new insect added was the Lesser Hornet Hoverfly (Volucella inanis). On 3rd May I posted an image of a Currant Gall caused by the Common Spangle Gall […]