Quinta wildlife #8
April 4th, 2010. Post by WendyThe number and variety of butterflies on the quinta is growing every day.
Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera).
Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) on the Nespera tree (Eriobotrya japonica).
Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) on nettles.
Camberwell Beauty (Nymphalis antiopa), from both sides.
A Comma (Polygonia c-album) on our freshly-dug vegetable beds.
We’ve also seen many Common Brimstones (Gonepteryx rhamni) and Orange Tips (Anthocharis cardamines), though they tend not to settle long enough to capture with a camera.
A bunch of caterpillars weaving webs on honeysuckle. After Googling around, we think they’re the caterpillars of the Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia)
And finally, the very rare and exquisitely beautiful Narcissus triandrus subsp lusitania which are only found in the area around Côja, Central Portugal. Generally has one head, but sometimes two and occasionally three. The whole plant stands about 5 inches (130mm) tall with the visible yellow part about 1 inch (25mm) long. It grows in open space and flowers in February/March.
Tags: butterflies, Camberwell Beauty, Celastrina argiolus, Central Portugal, Côja, Comma, Euphydryas aurinia, Holly Blue, Lasiommata megera, Marsh Fritillary, Narcissus triandrus subsp lusitania, Nymphalis antiopa, Polygonia c-album, Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta, Wall Brown
April 4th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Hi,
We too are in our way to Portugal! It is nice to see so many families trying to be more in tune with nature. We love what you do and we wish you all the success.
In Light and Love
Ruth & Al
April 12th, 2010 at 11:10 am
Just put a photo up of the black caterpillars I was telling you about – ours defo have red eyes though! Any idea what they are?
http://www.portugalsmallholding.org/2010/04/black-caterpillars-with-red-eyes/
are you coming over tomorrow with wayne?
xx