July busyness
It has been a delight to see numbers of Gatekeeper butterflies (Pyronia tithonus) fluttering about the oregano flowers and settling on them to feed.
Gatekeepers are often known as Hedge browns. They emerge in July and August and breed one generation. The caterpillars feed on tall meadow grass, then overwinter as larvae. They then pupate in the spring, before hatching as butterflies in the family of Browns.
Their wings are orange and brown, with one small black spot on the forewing. Each spot carries two small white spots. These spots mark the difference between the Hedge brown and its close cousin, the Meadow brown. The latter has just one white pupil on its black wing spot.
Small and Large Whites were flying, but would not settle for their photographic opportunity. The photographs above were taken a few years ago, when a Small white, or Cabbage butterfly, (Pieris rapae) had come into the conservatory to lay her eggs.
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As I sat watching, a Holly blue (Celastrina argiolus) came to rest on the oregano. The oregano flowers have proved very popular. I think they provide great quantities of pollen.
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There were numbers of hoverflies, bees large and small in a variety of stripes and patterns, and a myriad of other pollinators, from very noticeable to almost microscopic.
Butterflies and bumblebees - the best of summer visitors to the garden.
ReplyDeleteThey are so welcome.
DeleteWould you look at those photos! 👌
ReplyDelete🐝🦋
DeleteThe blue flowers near the end look like they have pearls in their centers. You have a far bigger range of butterflies than we do down here.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased with this blue hydrangea. It's a gorgeous colour.
DeleteWhat a delightful treat this post is! Our oregano (which has spread itself everywhere) is the top favorite of our garden pollinators. Such a pretty flower in your header photo, too. What is it, please?
ReplyDeleteIt's cropped and enlarged from a photograph of jasmine.
DeleteA lovely collection of photos from a healthy garden.
ReplyDeleteI think it is quite healthy really, despite our lack of attention to it. Maybe that's why! 😲😉
DeleteHi Janice - there are certainly more butterflies around than I've seen for a few years ... and also various pollinators of varying sorts. Love the photos - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI have been quite encouraged to see many insects in the garden this year.
DeleteHi Janice, such an abundance of insects in your garden! I love your photos, especially the one with the bumble bee doing a headstand! I wish that we had lots of bees. The honeybee population here has been decimated due to the varroa mite outbreak. Unfortunately, this means that the fruit trees in our garden aren't getting pollinated very well, so we have been getting poor fruit crops. I am lucky if I see more than 3 honeybees at a time. I hope that you are having a lovely summer. Enjoy your week. Hugs, Rose xxx
ReplyDeleteThe varroa mite has much to answer for. It has caused hive collapse for many beekeepers. Research into controlling it continues. Nice to see you, Rose.
DeleteWhat a variety; you have been so observant. Thank you for sharing your photographs.
ReplyDeleteIt's suprising what can be seen if one sits quietly, watching.
Delete*surprising*
DeleteWhat a joy it must be to witness such vibrant life around the oregano. Your observations beautifully capture the delicate charm of summer pollinators in action.
ReplyDeleteThe insects always like the herb flowers - that's the main reason we grow them - but the oregano has been amazing this year.
DeleteWonderful! You must be doing all the right things to attract that lot! I love it! We’ve had quite a few Gatekeepers in the garden, this week.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy Sunday! 😁
Isn't it a delight to see winged beasties in the garden?
DeleteHow beautiful. An abundance of Nature's best!
ReplyDeleteIt has been lovely seeing them all.
DeleteThere's no scarcity of insects at your home, and very beautiful ones at that.
ReplyDeleteJust think - if everyone grew just a little for the wildlife, the earth would be buzzing with life. Too many *tidy* gardeners around here.
DeleteWe have seen huge numbers of hoverflies this year, plus more butterflies, your photos are great.
ReplyDeleteHoverflies are simply beautiful, and so varied.
DeleteThose flowers sure do get a lot of visitors. I can't recall seeing one butterfly this year. I don't have anything in my yard that would attract them though.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the butterflies will discover your hydrangeas.
DeleteSuch great photos
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
Thank you, Alison.
DeleteGreat photos, though I can do without the bees! We have been to several butterfly sanctuaries and it's a strange feeling having them land on you as you wander through.
ReplyDeleteThe natural inclination to swat things that land on us is difficult to resist!
DeleteI wonder if the butterfly wings tended to develop over the generations to match some of the flower petals in the background, to camouflage the insects? Or vice versa, for the flowers to attract insects to sip their nectar?
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting question and one I shall have to ponder.
DeleteI've seen very few butterflies here so far this summer, but the bumble bee population seems to be doing well. Lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteThe bumblebees are wonderful, especially the big, furry, heavy ones.
DeleteLovely look at nature what a world -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine.
DeleteOh goodness...you captured some wonderful photos of these beautiful creatures. I'm so thankful for each one. Not sure the human population understands the importance that these insects and bees play in our survival. Lovely photos..
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