Painted lady Caterpillar

[dmclean3]

Hi Folks,
I found about 12 Caterpillars on the Echium leaves in the garden,
and checked out in my books that it is the caterpillar of the Painted Lady -
Vanessa cardui they spin thin films of silk like a shelter, then feed beneath the canopy in safety,
Duncan

[JRsbugs]

That's interesting as this is a migrant to the UK, do they overwinter in the very south of England?

I hadn't seen any since the hot 2006 summer, but they are here again this year with our slightly better summer than the last two years! I wonder if they would stay if the winter was mild, it seems they mature in October so then would fly back to southern Europe or Africa. There is a chart here which shows the 'ovum' stage up until October, I guess those wouldn't normally survive.

UK Butterflies - Painted Lady - Vanessa cardui

I have nettles, and Malva so they should be laying eggs somewhere around.

Janet

[goosey]

Its the 27th October and after more than a week of frost, rain and fog we had our first really sunny day. This morning I saw a couple of Painted ladies butterflies in pristine condition (and a small copper), I wonder if they will stick it out here now or head back south for the winter.
It has certainly been a bumper year for them, I saw my first at the beginning of of May and don't recall ever seeng so many.
Anyone else still noticing them about?

[reninfrance]

Not seen any here since mid september but like you I have seen many more this year than in 07 and 08. Perhaps we will see them on their way south.
Lots of red admirals and speckled woods today though as the weather has been beautiful and we finally had some decent rain last week. The strawberry tree is in full fruit and bloom and festooned with hungry insects
Still not a single tiny mushroom-Goosey
Has anyone else noticed a lack of blues this year?
Ren

[goosey]

Originally Posted by reninfrance

Not seen any here since mid september but like you I have seen many more this year than in 07 and 08. Perhaps we will see them on their way south.
Lots of red admirals and speckled woods today though as the weather has been beautiful and we finally had some decent rain last week. The strawberry tree is in full fruit and bloom and festooned with hungry insects
Still not a single tiny mushroom-Goosey
Has anyone else noticed a lack of blues this year?
Ren

I have noticed an influx of ladybird activity, after not seeing many if any for well over a month, this last 5 days I have seen plenty of 7 spots and a few Harlequins (I have certainly seen less harlequins this year than last). But as for other insects just a few wasps and bees hanging around and spiders where ever I decide to kneel down.

To be honest I have seen more blues than ever this year, but I have seen more of every type of butterfly this year, the last two years were abysmal.

Shame about the fungi - keep looking - it's a great hobby!