A wasp (pictured right) the size of a zeppelin flew across the lounge whilst we were dozing in front of the TV the other night. It was a female Hornet (Vespa crabro) – at over 30mm the largest species of … Read More
During a stroll around Falmouth harbour at the weekend this Barrel Jellyfish was seen feeding around the sea walls of Events Quay. There appears to have been an influx of these large Jellyfish in recent weeks around the Cornish Coast. … Read More
It’s that time of year when everything seems to be happening at once. Butterflies and moths are emerging from over wintered pupae, caterpillars are feeding voraciously, while others are pupating – and that’s just inside the garden shed! It’s not … Read More
Caterpillars are on the increase. Some of the most commonly seen caterpillars seen in March and April include – The Angle Shades in variable shades. Some of the overwintering Hairy caterpillars such as Oak Eggar, Fox Moth and Ruby Tiger. … Read More
This image of a large green and white caterpillar was sent in by wildlife guide Matthew Sussens whilst stationed at the Royal Malewane Lodge on the Thornybush Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa. South African moth expert Hermann Staude not only … Read More
It’s always pleasing when a search for a particular species actually pays off without undue hardship ! Last year at a stunning coastal bluebell spot lots of Scarlet Tiger moths, Callimorpha dominula, were noted flying one afternoon in a small … Read More
The highlight of last weeks trip to Trevose Lighthouse wasn’t the hoped for spectacular seawatching or early migrant birds this headland often produces but the numbers of caterpillars. On the sheltered south facing bank of the lane leading to the … Read More
Goat Moth Caterpillar Some fascinating caterpillar identification requests continue to arrive. This huge Goat Moth (Cossus cossus) caterpillar was sent in by Paul Sellens who had been reviewing images he’d taken last summer. At 100mm in length only the caterpillar … Read More
Over wintering caterpillars such as Oak Eggar, Drinker, Garden Tiger and Fox Moth are some of the hairy caterpillars seen in the last few days in various coastal sites here in the far south west of Cornwall. These early post-hibernating … Read More
Marsh Fritillary caterpillars It always seems remarkable how many species of caterpillars manage to survive the winter – particularly the last one! With the appearance of the sun several species of butterfly caterpillars have emerged from over wintering. Good numbers … Read More
Well, what a ‘hurricane’ season this has been for Cornwall – weeks of heavy rain, gales, flooding and mountainous seas. And then suddenly, a brief interlude and 5 Peacock butterflies (inachis io) miraculously emerge from hibernation to bask in the … Read More
Over the New Year the weather here in Cornwall has continued to be a ‘tad’ breezy but it has also been remarkably mild. So mild that a Red Admiral was seen flying in the garden on New Years Eve! – … Read More