A newly emerged fox(Macrothylacia rubi) moth was waiting to complete his development on a gorse bush, on the heath. These large moths are mainly day flying and the larvae is commonly seen on rough grasslands and heather. The caterpillar is brown, large and very hairy and often loitering on paths.
Nearby in some wet water meadows alongside the Moors river, were a pair of green veined whites(Pieris napi) The larvae feed on mustard and cress species.
Another very fine beetle, the rainbow ground beetle(Carabus nitens),is now rare in the UK but can still be found on southern heaths in boggy areas. I found it just outside Christchurch.
Crab spiders of the Xysticus tribe can be found on flowers waiting for pollinating insects.Here a female Xysticus cristatus has a hover fly. She is on a greater periwinkle flower.(Vinca major)
My Puss moth larvae are getting big and very hungry. I have decided to put them on the sallow tree in the garden as I was having to go out at least twice a day to cut them sprigs.
This is the smallest out of twelve doing its defense posture.the purple fronds come out of the tail like tubes and wave around whilst its body squats up and looks menacing, well maybe to a small bird or large insect!
There is a lot of bugle( Ajuga reptans )about ; a small annual that is attractive to moths and bees.Here a brown banded carder bee(bombus humilis)fills her pollen baskets.
