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Clouded Yellows were abundant at last weeks open day at Alners Gorse, over 25 seen, including this helice (white form) female laying eggs on tiny Bird’s-foot-trefoil plants in an area we cleared of conifers a few years ago @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Hornet Robberflies are becoming increasingly common on Dorset heaths now they are grazed and providing lots of dung for the larvae. Here is one with a big grasshopper at Studland @nationaltrust.org.uk @naturalengland.bsky.social

Sad but not surprising. Few conservation strategies are aimed at insects, which in turn provide food for birds. They are also often underfunded and poorly implemented. We simply must do better to tackle biodiversity loss, we have the knowledge to do a lot better @europebutterfly.bsky.social

The rather poisonous looking undersides of a Jersey Tiger @dorsetmoths.bsky.social

One less Gatekeeper thanks to this dragonfly, which may be a female Keeled Skimmer (but it was quite black as opposed to normal yellow colour). Taken on Studland Heath, Dorset @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

A second brood Dingy Skipper on south Dorset coast. It will be interesting to see how many took the risk of a second brood, especially as most food plant is now very shrivelled and surely cannot support their larvae? @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

Excellent Marvellous Moths event at Sandy Hill Arts at Corfe Castle this morning. Highlight was a Rosy Underwing and an Old Lady enjoyed by one of the many children who were wowed by all the moths @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social

Quite a few butterflies on Alners Gorse reserve open day, including distant view of White-letter Hairstreaks, and good view of Purple Hairstreak egg laying. Lots of Clouded Yellows about @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

At least half of these Musk thistles on the Dorset coast have old nests of Painted Lady. Almost all are empty now, presumably hatched and flown inland, except for one parasitised! It’s been the best PL year for ages @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Great to hear this conservation work in Germany for one of Europe's most threatened butterflies

loads down here in Dorset, best year for many a while

My first Marvellous Moths event at Sandy Hill Arts in Corfe Castle is coming up this Sunday 26 July. 09:30-11:00. Do come along if you live nearby sandyhillarts.co.uk/events/marve...