Garden Wildlife .. recent highlights .. incl. Odanata

Since my last garden wildlife update (see below July 21st) Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) has been present on several occasions. A single darter was present in the back garden on Aug 10th. On the 17th a pair were in tandem flight in the front garden, shortly afterwards an individual perched on the hardy fuchsia, provided plenty of opportunity for photography. Suggesting three may have been present?

Common Darter 10th August

Common Darter 17th August

On the 23rd of August, a Common Darter was in the back garden.

Common Darter 23rd August

Today, the sightings went to another level, initially a single male Common Darter was staking out New Pond, as the morning progressed a second male appeared and much territorial posturing followed, with neither male giving ground. I was then completely thrilled when two other Darters appeared, one all but briefly, the second was a female and mating and egg-laying quickly took place with one of the attendant males. I managed to capture some terrible video footage of the pair in tandem (and the second male), which I am more than happy to share!

Other recent highlights include a Median Wasp (Dolichovespula media) photographed on the 10th of August and a Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) which was present on the 15th of August. Singles of Convolvulus Hawk-moth (Agrius convolvuli) and Portland Ribbon Wave (Idaea degeneraria) to 25W Blacklight on the night of 26th August. All four species being “new for garden” (NFG).

Median Wasp

Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar

On the 12th of August, our neighbour knocked the door and presented us with an Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor) caterpillar – the first time that we have ever seen the larval stage of this species.

Humming-bird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) has been present almost daily with a maximum count of three on the 31st of August – with both Red Valerian (Valeriana rubra) and our neighbour’s Buddleja davidii providing plenty of nectar to attract this species along with a host of bees and butterflies.

Humming-bird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum L.), first garden record of the year

Hawk-moth Emergence

Pupae 15th Aug 2020

Having found the pupae of a Humming-bird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) lying on the ground behind a piece of wooden plank, I decided to keep it safe in the hope of catching the emergence. Having deposited the pupae carefully on some dry soil, within my spare fish tank - I checked the tank almost daily for just over a month.

Pupae in-situ 16th Aug 2020

The over-thought artificial refuge

On the 16th Sept, I noted that it had changed colour - a little concerned that it may be in the process of decay, I was relieved to find that it wriggled when I picked it up. I was also captivated by the fact that its eyes were now visible beneath the outer case.

the eyes have it

Two days after the colour change, our neighbours W & J came over to watch the moth trap being opened and sorted. I opened the lid of the tank, and found that we had just missed by moments the emergence of the moth from it's coccoon.

Over the course of the day (19th Sept) I was able to watch the progress of the moth expanding into the full adult shape, before finally witnessing it's first flight.