Houghton Regis chalk pit - 12/07/09

There were at least thirty-eight Chalkhill Blue seen on a three hour amble around the pit.





Just a few Marbled White were on the wing.



A buddleia had a fair selection of lepidoptera including a Painted Lady and this Hummingbird Hawkmoth - a record shot only, unfortunately.



Surveying butterflies in an area that has no records since 1996 (SP9322) produced twelve species. There were plenty of whites including this Small White.

Bison Hill Beauties

A warm day at this great site. Just a few chalkhill Blue on the wing, and some pristine Brimstone too.

Gatekeeper



Brimstone



Chalkhill Blue





Marbled White



This leviathon hoverfly Volucella zonaria is up to 20mm in length. It is a Hornet mimic whose larvae scavenge in wasp nests !



Cinnabar moth larvae feeding on Ragwort. This moth has been introduced to some countries in an attempt to control Ragwort because of its voracious appetite for this plant.