It is still the most prominent butterfly and today I found a Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) carrying a parasitic Trombidium breei mite. In fact it was on the female of a mating pair.

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 Wasp (Neuroterus quercusbaccarum). Today I found the other type of gall caused by this wasp, the Spangle Gall.

I had never seen a shrew before this morning, so it was a pity that my first photo was of a dead Common Shrew (Sorex araneus) in the middle of one of the woodland paths.

Latest wildflower to start showing is Red Bartsia (Odontites vernus).

Nature note for the day

The parasitic Trombidium breei red mite usually attaches itself to the thorax, base of the wing or upper leg of the host butterfly and feeds on its bodily fluid, known as hemolymph. The most usually targeted host butterfly species are all common on the Downs – Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Marbled White, Common Blue and Small Skipper.

                                                                                              <<<< Previous page | Next Page >>>>