There was plenty to brighten up the dull and showery afternoon today, as I made my way around the butterfly transect route. In total I counted 57 butterflies of 8 species, with the highlight being only my second essex skipper of the year. Other sightings from this afternoon include -
Rutpela maculata, one of the larger longhorn beetles (Family Cerambycidae) and seemingly scarce this year - only my third at Langford this summer.
More beeltes, this time of the soldier beetle family, the Cantharidae. These are Rhagonycha fulva. The only Rhagonycha species you are likely to see commonly, they can be identified from other soldier beetles by the orange elytra (wing cases), with black markings at the tips.
The six-spot burnet moth, or Zygaena filipendulae is a favourite of mine. They are day fliers, often to be seen nectaring on knapweeds (here it is on black knapweed) and thistles.
On toa bit of botany now, starting with this stunning perforate St. John's wort plant, or Hypericum perforatum. A common species throughout much of the UK, it is the most common species of St. John's wort you are likely to come across. It takes it's name from the translucent dots on the leaves that can be seen against the light.
Tufted vetch, Vicia cracca is now in full flower throughout the reserve. Characterised by it's one-sided spikes of purple flowers, it is one of the most conspicuous of the vetch family to be found at Langford.
And finally....did you know that yarrow, Achillea millefolium can be white or pink? The pink flowers are produced by pollination from pink coloured garden cultivars.