Female Brimstone is a delicate pale green. Here she's at an oblique angle wings folded together and abdomen raised towards the Alder Buckthorn twig.

A very poor shot, tomorrow I will look for the eggs, she laid about 20 during several visits. 2 are visible one on each leaf bud

Again abdomen raised towards the twig, she's just laid an egg which is visible as a tiny pale protrusion at the bottom of the leaf.

Side view wings folded but mostly open

310326 OM1ii my garden The first Mrs Brimstone has visited, thank you once again, @celastrina59.bsky.social. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #butterflies #inverts #nature #naturephotography #aurelians

A caterpillar of unknown species found on the pavement and brought home to feed and hopefully pupate in soil. Dark brown head and lighter brown body. It's slightly curled, head to left, tail at the right. OM1ii 60mm stacked image.

The glorious bright yellow Dandelion much reviled as a weed by many but adored by those who appreiate its beauty and that it provides essential food for early nectaring insects OM1ii 90mm +x2 extender stacked image

Bombilious Major, Dark Bordered Beefly. Fluffy brown body, big brown eyes close together, long straight proboscis, wings open with dark pattern to upper border - hence the name. This is the first and so far only, Beefly in my jungle this year. It's resting on a stone sun bathing. OM1ii

AN AWFUL shot. TG5 was only camera with a built in flash and working batteries. Not really the best for this job, FZ1K now has a battery! Centre left half a large plant pot which is the Hedgehog feeding station. One HH is inside and to the right is a second HH moving away. The plant is self seeded Gallium, food plant for Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

300326 @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @dandelionappre1.bsky.social #inverts #macrophotography #moths #naturelovers #bugsky #aurelians #entomology A caterpillar, a Dandelion, a Beefly and 2 Hedgehogs - awful photo TG5 not the best but only camera with working flash & battery

No idea what is happening here. First thought passing frass but surely the wrong colour? A yellow "something" extrusion at the rear of the body, obviously being passed through the anus

Insect on its back, extrusion still visible

On its back seen from above. My thoughts were passing frass or "boy bits" Help appreciated, please.

I DO know what's happening here! Two 7 Spot Ladybirds face to face with a third in cop with the one on the right.

180326 OM1ii my #York garden #aurelians #inverts ##VC40ladybirds #bugsky #wildlifephotography Another day with many 7 Spot Ladybirds in the garden and seen on walkies.

A tiny insect with long black eyes, orange back and legs covered in pollen seen in my garden today. Don't know what it is, as always help greatly appreciated if someone knows the name.

My first Small Tortoiseshell of the year, seen on MIllennium Fields this morning's walkies. Out of winter hibernation, a welsome sight, it's in very good cndition. Orange, black and white wings, brown body and blue pattern to wing edges.

First Peacock butterfly photo of the year, very high in the tree. Red body with distinctive "eye" patterns on the wings.

180326 OM1ii Another insect day in my garden and on walkies. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts #york #insects #aurelians

Green Ivy leaf and to the right a leaf shaped butterfly which, if you didn't see it land would be difficult to detect. Female Brimstone is a very delicate and pale green. She's in pristine condition and has just come out of hibernation. Hopefully in a couple of months she will visit my Brimstone Baby Food tree, an Alder Buckthorn, and leave her precious eggs

She allowed me to turn the leaf over to get a full body shot. Red antennae and a red edge to the wing near the shoulder. 2 darker spots on the wings

A crop showing the face in more detail, the legs, wing veins and the darker spots. She is GORGEOUS, and I saw 6 males today too, a wonderful butterfly day.

An extreme crop of a stacked in camera image of the eye. The bottom of the left antenna is visible as are the long pale cream and red scales of the face. The eye is brown

170326 OM1ii Is it a leaf? Fortunately I saw Mrs Brimstone land under an Ivy leaf. She was VERY obliging, posing, even allowed me to carefully turn the leaf to close up shots my gdn @savebutterflies.bsky.social @ukbutterflies.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social #aurelians #macrophotography #inverts

A 7 Spot which was attempting to move but was in serious trouble. The legs have white flakes which makes me wonder if it has been parasitised.

Seen from the right side there is a yellow mass in the lower edge of the body. It managed to turn round but only with great difficulty

Another 7 Spot hiding in a dried leaf. Great care is needed when deadheading. This one is safe, it won't be disturbed

The huddle of 6 is now 7 , the 7 Spots have been joined by an orange and black Ladybird, possibly a Harlequin. The 2 7 Spots at the left of the image are busy...

170326 OM1ii Ladybirds. Lots about now, are we going to have an irruption later? #entomology #ladybird #naturelovers #aurelians #macrophotography #insects #inverts

A Fly, sat patiently on Ivy while I took its photo, a 10 image stack using the Super Sixty mm macro lens. Brown eyes close together, iridescent wings

A Shieldbug from above. Head, body and legs are brown but I "think" it may be a Green Shieldbug still in winter colours. Very long legs and antennae

Same insect from the side showing the right pointed peak on the shoulder

A Wasp just about to take off. Yellow & black body wings extended. I think it may be a Queen but not certain

170326 OM1ii #entomology #inverts #bugsky #uknaturalists #wildlifephotography #naturelovers #aurelians #bugmacrophotography #naturalists A Fly a Shieldbug and a Wasp, all welcome in my garden

7 Spot native Ladybird, black and white head, red wing covers with black spots. The left wing cover is dark and dented, looks injured.

A huddle of 7 Spots on Holly in my garden. Top right there are the beginnings of a bud so hopefully the Holly will flower, Mrs Holly Blue will visit and honour me by leaving eggs. Again, hopefully, if she does, the larvae will not fall victim to parasites as has happened before.

As well as large numbers of 7 Spots, today I saw 6 small black Ladybirds with curved red marks on the wing covers. Not sure if they are Kidney or Pine.

2 7 Spots with a Shieldbug, not sure which, but it looks brown, maybe its winter coat. It appears to be sitting on a Ladybird. I think Shieldbugs are largely vegetarian so hopefully the Ladybirds are safe.

050326 OM1ii #ladybirds increasing in number last few weeks. These are just a few of those seen in my garden or on walkies. #entomology #bugsky #inverts #york #aurelians #uknaturalists #wildlifephotograph #OMSystem

FRom the side the white hairs are visible on the brown shoulders. Black antennae with 3 narrow white bands

Half of the abdomen & chest, pinkish with dark spots

90mm lens + x2 extender. Insect is 11-12mm long. Brown in winter, there's a hint of purple. Black antennae with white bands and ends of legs are also black and white stripes otherwise pale and hairy

From above, 90mm +x2 extender brown colour clearly seen. There's a black and white protruberance on each side, the connexivum or visible edge of the abdomen.

020326 OM1ii my#York gdn. Hairy/Sloe Shieldbug (I think) in its winter coat. 1&2 used 60mm lens, 3&4 90mm +x2 extender. All 15 images stacked in camera. #entomology #bugsky #aurelians #bugmacrophotography #naturelovers #OMSystem

I have walked Walmgate Stray for 50 years and this male is the ONLY Marbled White I have ever seen there. The beautiful underwing is patterned in black and white. He's feeding on Knapweed which grows prolifically in the Stray. July 2022

To my surprise and delight in 2023 Marbled White appeared for the first time on Millennium Fields which I have walked for 30 years several times a week and for 20 years prior to that, occasionally. This is a male, feeding on Knapweed, wings and antennae extended as his proboscis probes for nectar

Even more excitment, a male and female, flirting but quite distant. His black and white underwings are visible and her brown and white upper wings are open. Sadly there was no evidence the following year that they had married, gone forth and multiplied!

Millennium Fields again and a female happily feeding. Her left underwing, brown and white delicatley patterned is visible as is the top of her right upper wing, more strongly patterned brown and white.

110126 OM1ii It's been a miserable day so something to cheer me up a bit and hopefully something to look forward to - sadly unlikely on either of these sites. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social #entomology #aurelians #naturelovers #york #wildlifephotography

Pacific Grove, Monterey, Monarch Sanctuary. We saw about 15,000 of these beautiful butterflies there. Her Majesty is feasting on a white flower. A docent lead our party explaining the work done by the sanctuary and the West Coast migration. These butterflies don't go to Mexico to overwinter.

Arden Wood Monarch Sanctuary, Fremont, California. Much smaller than Pacific Grove we saw about 1500 butterflies including His Majesty who kindly posed for photographs from his many admirers. WE know he's male because of the black spot just showing on the vein on the underwing where it meets the upper. The docent here was called Chris, a lovely young woman, who explained the migration, the work done on the farm to protect not just the Monarch but all wildlife.

Arden Wood again. Clusters of Monarchs just hanging around, soaking up the sun, too tired to open their wings

Arden Wood, another cluster, this one much busier, a lot of fluttering and jostling for position. I don't have words to describe my joy at seeing these magnificent butterflies in such numbers. Only the 1996 irruption of Painted Lady in York, a once in a life time experience, surpassed these 2 visits.

150825 Memories. 2015 California Dreaming. Panasonic FZ1K @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #monarch #monarchbutterfly #inverts #aurelians #wildlifephotography #entomology #naturalists #ArdenWood #PacificGrove #naturelovers #bugsky

Buddleia cross to the path and very fresh Painted Lady sitting on the purple flower

Noe soaking up the heat from the path, wings extended

Enjoying breakfast!

From the side showing the intricate pattern of the underwings

080825 OM1ii Beautiful Painted Lady was feasting on Buddleia. She'll soonset off on a VERY long journey. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #lepidoptera #york #naturelovers #aurelians #inverts #wildlifephotography #macrophotography #ukwildlife #uknaturalists

Mrs C D in profile, gold and brown body, wings outstretched as is usual with dragonflies

Look at those big brown eyes. Wings outstretched and slightly tilted own. The tip of the left wings are bent back just a little but not enough to affect her ability to fly.

In this shot she looks as if she's standing on her head, gold and brown body straight up.

250725 OM1ii 90mm +x2 ext Millennium Fields York First Dragonfly to pose for me this year, Mrs Common Darter #odonata #inverts #naturelovers #insectmacrophotography #aurelians #york #bugsky #bugfriends #uknaturalists

Gatekeeper with chunks of lower wings missing. May have escaped from a predatory bird

Just one Green Veined White

Speckled Wood enjoying a blackberry. I would expect to see far more of every species on this site at this time of year.

250725 OM1ii Millennium Fields, York. Very few butterflies seen today & no Skippers? Should be dozens. Just 1 Green Veined White 1 Meadow Brown 4Gatekeeper 2 Speckeld Wood @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts #lepidoptera #aurelians #naturelovers #york#uknaturalists

Profile of a Comma butterfly on buddleia in my garden. The comma from which it derives its name is clearly seen

A Red Admiral, wings outstretched on buddleia in my garden. Also seen 1 Peacock and 4 Large Whites

Dovesfoot Cranesbill, the larval food plant of Brown Argus, which I am delighte dto have found on Millennium Fields, York. In August 2019 I found 8 Brown Argus and since then a steady 6 or 7 each year, 2 broods. Last year I only saw 1st brood but there was activity which made me hopeful for 2025. In spring I saw 2 who seemed very interested in each other. Dare I hope...? Then the heat came and plants shrivelled and died, including the Dovesfoot Cranesbill. No Brown Argus seen after those first 2 i spring but today I found several small clumps of this tiny pink flowering plant. Again, dare I hope...? Only time will tell.

Couldn't resist these glorious leaves as we walked down the street, they looked spectacular against the masses of greenery.

250725 OM1ii 90mm +x2 ext @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #entomology #aurelians #naturelovers #york #uknaturalists #lepidoptera #inverts My garden and seen on walkies.

Aaron's garden always has nasturtiums so always attractive to Mrs Large White. These larvae are second instar.

A very handsome and pristine Red Admiral on a loca buddleia showing the beautiful ancient tapestry of the underwing. It's incredibly complex and always a joy to see.

One of about 4 Gatekeepers on small area of Walmgate Stray where we walked this morning.

Still Speckled Wood on our small Walmgate Stray patch, I can no longer easily manage the full Stray, age has wearied me just as it's wearied this butterfly. Hasn't stopped it flying though!

230725 OM1ii 90+x2ext @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #entomology #inverts #insectmacrophotography #aurelians #york #naturelovers Not many butterflies today, Peacocks nearly all gone, some Speckled Wood & Gatekeepers locally. #ukwildlife #wildlifephotography

A cluster of yellow eggs, some with tiny black heads visible as the minute first instar caterpillar prepares to emerge. There are some empty, partially eaten white shells. Several yellow caterpillars with black heads and white spikes along their bodies crawling on the nasturtium leaf or on the bodies of their siblings

At the right of this shot is an out of focus clump of eggs surrounded by empty shells. Central is another cluster of eggs and at the bottom of the clump is a brownish red and white insect which in other shots was seen eating the eggs. I do not know what this insect is.

Another enemy, this time a 7 Spot Ladybird happily feeding on the eggs. There are several larger caterpillars bottom right and above the eggs 3 yellow first instar. Centre right is a cluster of brown circles, probably/possibly where eggs were laid, the caterpillars emerged and all the shells eaten.

A healthy looking clump of green and yellow with dark spots 2nd instar. When they are 4th instar I'll bring a few home and raise them

160725 OM1ii Aaron's gdn. Large White butterfly eggs & larvae. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #entomology #york #uknaturalists #wildlifephotography #naturelovers #aurelians #inverts #insectphotography #OMSystem 60mm or 90+x2 ext stacked in camera #lepidoptera

Mrs HBHM investigating the Gallium which decided to grow itself in the Primrose, Cowslip and Pulmonaria garden 2 years ago.

I didn't find any eggs in this dense mass of greenery but absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence is it? After all her effort I could only hope.

I had never seen this before, Mrs HBHM actually laying an egg on MY wall while I watched and recorded the event.

I found 4 of these beautiful and tiny pale green globes just inches above the Gallium. Sadly the next day they had been predated. C'est la vie, but I don't have to like it, would have enjoyed raising these little moths.

150725/240723 OM1 Mrs HBHM investigating my wall & self seeded Gallium. SO excited a first ever for me, couldn't stop shaking. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #gardenmothscheme #muchadoaboutmothing #entomolgy #aurelians #teammoth #inverts #naturelovers #york #naturalists

An aging beauty with bald patches on the head and abdomen. Antennae folded along the back and twisted at the ends

The incredibly beautiful colours visible in this shot. Antennae upright and touching in the centre then separating. Brown eyes, proboscis curled in

On the window in all its glorious glory. It's easy to see why it is called Mother of Pearl. Exquisite markings that shimmer and shine in the light.

A tight crop of the eyes, head and antennae, which are orange with pale dots on th einner surface. this is something I had never seen before, my something new for today - along with moth identifications! Thank you to all who help me.

120725 OM1ii 60mm lens images stacked in camera Star of the show 5 Mother of Pearl. First seen for far too long @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #muchadoaboutmothing #inverts #mothmacrophotography #naturelovers #teammoth #entomology #york #aurelians #uknaturalists

Dark with intricate markings and lighter wing edges and head. Quite a large moth

Brown with 2 distinctive marks on each wing

A faded beauty, quite small, white head, inner wings and lower edge of wings

Quite small white and darker creamy colour. Could it be Straw Dot?

120725 OM1ii @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social #inverts #muchadoaboutmothing #gardenmothscheme #york #entomology #teammoth #aurelians No idea at all, apologies, 1&2 may or not be Yellow Underwings & absolutely clueless about the others

Just a few of the Riband Wave moths on the outside if the trap this morning

This one is very dark, not sure if it IS a Wave or something other.

120725 OM1ii @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social #inverts #muchadoaboutmothing #gardenmothscheme #york #entomology #teammoth #aurelians Many Waves of different shapes sizes and colours in the trap today and my first Wainscott, not sure which

I think this is a Fanfoot, I wonder why it is so named. Light brown with 2 wavy lines and a straight one across the wings.

This beautiful little green and white moth is, I believe, a Marbled Beauty and very well named

Grey with black marks, it's either a Miller or a Dagger - or something entirely different. Very pretty though.

Don't know what kind of Pug this is, but I don't think it's Toadflax or Foxglove. It's a bit brown which would eliminate the Green Pug too.

120725 OM1ii moths ? names Fanfoot, Marbled Beauty, Miller, no name Pug. Help appreciated, please. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @mothiduk.bsky.social #inverts #muchadoaboutmothing #gardenmothscheme #york #entomology #teammoth #aurelians

Green Damselfly, may be Banded Demoiselle a female I think.

First Small Copper of the year on this site feeding on thistle and being joined by a Hoverfly, determined to land ON the Butterfly. There's another insect at the top right of the thistle head.

One of 3 Esseex Skippers seen today, too hot to stay long and search for more. This one is feeding on Teasel and is sharing with several Hoverflies and an out of focus bee.

Essex Skipper feeding on Teasel and second is flying in, determined to join the party.

120725 OM1ii Millennium Fields. 1st Damselfly & Small Copper of the year here. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #odonanta #inverts #ukwildlife #naturelovers #york #wildlifephotography #aurelians #entomology #uknaturalists #OMSystem

Large White feeding on Buddleia, wings closed with part of upper wing showing

A more detailed side shot with the wing veins revealed

Just taken off, abdomen showing wings are fully open

A crop of the wings, showing the veins, the black spot and the delicate pale green colour of the wing in this very fresh butterfly

110725 OM1ii my York gdn. Large White on Buddleia @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts #naturelovers #york #aurelians #ukwildlife #uknaturalists #wildlifephotography #IMSystem

2nd Painted Lady of the year, beautiful and fresh. None seen for 2 years so this is very special. It won't be anything like the 1996 irruption but I'm happy to have seen 2

One of the many, at least 48, Peacocks seen recently. Delighted to see them in good numbers but so sad that this is an all too rare treat

A ragged Red Admiral, 8 seen today.

100725 OM1ii street butterflies feasting on Buddleia Painted Lady 1, Peacock at least 48, Red Admiral 8 @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts #aurelians #naturelovers #wildlifephotography #uknaturalists #york

The exquisite underwing of a fresh Comma butterfly showing the "comma" punctuation mark from which it gets its name

Green Veined White with its distinctive underwing markings

Large White, quite a fresh one

100725 OM1ii my street. Comma 1, Green Veined White 1, Large white about 20. LW having their best season for a very long time @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts #york #naturelovers #aurelians #wildlifephotography #naturalists

2 very fresh Brimstones feeding on self seeded teasal in a friend's VERY insect friendly garden

Peacock just landing on the teasel beside the Brimstone

Brimstone has just taken off, Peacock in dark profile

Brimstone flying away

100725 OM1ii on the street 2 Brimstones and at least 48 Peacock, their best year far far too long. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #entomology #inverts #york #wildlifephotography #uknaturalists #aurelians #naturelovers

Side view of the Gatekeeper butterfly sitting on the Marjoram flower preparing to fly.

"Houstan, I have lift off" Now the butterfly is between 2 clusters of pale pink flower, legs hanging below the body.

Mid flight, wings open and tail raised

This one is head down, proboscis extended and curled as it sits on the pink Marjoram flower

090725 OM1ii Gatekeeper my gdn @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #entomology #inverts #aurelians #naturelovers #york ##bugmacrophotography #OMSystem #naturalists 2 male Gatekeepers visited today, as usual feasting on Marjoram.

Lovely Gatekeeper feeding as the always do in my garden on marjoram or is it oregano? Which ever, they absolutely enjoy it.

I wait impatiently every year for this first visit and they don't let me down. Brown and orange golden beauties

Large White feeding on the self seeded Knapweed which blocks access to anywhere, but it's welcome.

Walmgate Stray one of 2 Red Admirals, this one a bit tattered but still posing and flying around happily

070725 OM1ii my gdn & Walmgate Stray #york #uknaturalists #wildlifephotography #inverts #lepidoptera #aurelians #naturelovers A beautiful Gatekeeper 1st of the year in the gdn @haggewoods.bsky.social Large White & Red Admiral at Walmgate Stray @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Orange and brown Gatekeeper feeding on a bramble flower above green unripe blackberry

Amale Holly BLue high in the tree

Very faded and tattered Small Skipper attempting to feed on the low lying white clover which has been cut again today

Speckled Wood feeding on a bramble flower

070725 OM1ii Walmgate Stray. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #york #uknaturalists #wildlifephotography #inverts #lepidoptera #aurelians #naturelovers A beautiful Gatekeeper, first 2nd brood Holly Blue, a male, a very tired Small Skipper and a Speckled Wood