Tuesday 10 January 2012

Highgate Common 10th January 2012

It was ladybird central at the volunteer work party today at Highgate Common.

We saw at least a dozen 7 spot ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata), one 14 spot ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata) and one eyed ladybird (Anatis ocellata) .

Coccinella septempunctata

Anatis ocellata

Propylea 14-punctata - photo taken last year


No doubt the unseasonably mild weather has brought them all out of hibernation. We also found a shield bug and a hoverfly but I didn't manage to photograph any of these for identification.

Late news from 2011... Richard Southwell of the Butterfly Conservation group found some Vapourer moth (Orgyia antiqua) eggs during a work party in December and I was able to photograph them. We also found a Satellite moth (Eupsilia transversa).

Orgyia antiqua

Vapourer moth was only discovered on Highgate in 2011 but now we have breeding evidence too! It is not that uncommon a moth but it is exciting to get a first for you local patch. Satellite moth is also new to Highgate so two firsts in one day!