Not many butterflies this year.

[Monika]

A few more butterflies today, including a speckled wood which seemed newly emerged.

[PLUMPUDDING]

Yes Monika, I noticed three or four newly emerged Speckled woods yesterday but not much else.

[PLUMPUDDING]

Well, I've just removed a ladybird from my bedroom ceiling. Still not seen any in the garden but I've found a rose with aphids and put it on there. Unfortunately, I think it might be a harlequin ladybird. It isn't particularly large but looks like the succinea form in my I. D. guide. I suppose it's better than none at all and it's tucking into the aphids.

[Shallot Man]

Plenty of cabbage whites though.

[alan refail]

Plenty of cabbage whites though.

All I can say to that is that the whites are greatly outnumbered here by the peacocks, small tortoiseshells, painted ladies and red admirals. I am expecting clouds of them in the sunshine this weekend.

And a heartening story

https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... troduction

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[Pawty]

No where near as many butterflies as normal here. I've just got myself a butterfly I.d book so will try and report back on what we have.

Husband knows them all, so when I ask what's the brown/ white/ speckled one called I'm not that helpful.

I've tried to take some photos but I'm sure they're really smart and know the exact time to take off!

We get elephant hawk moth caterpillars regularly on the huge fuscia plant we have.. Haven't seen any this year.

Pawty

[PLUMPUDDING]

There were a small copper and a blue this morning in the sunshine but it's raining now so I hope they've found a good place to shelter.