Light Crimson Underwing

27:th of July 2010
An only half deasent Moth-night on northern Björnön (Bear Island) is totally saved by the appearance of a lovely, beautiful, big, fresh Light Crimson Underwing (Catocala promissa) – Ekordensfly in Swedish. What a great Moth! But very reluctant to show his great coloured underwings.

Crimson flight

27:th of July 2010
Underwings exposed! The only picture I got with the red underwings flashing. It´s far from sharp but you get the lovely colour and creature this is.

Crimson Blurr

27:th of July 2010
Just a blurr... but Crimson it is!

Rattling display

22:st of July 2010
The Rattle Grasshoppers (Psophus stridulus) is doubtless the scenestealer of the day with a whole bunch of males flying around with scarlet red wings and drumming calls. Almost like a lek! I´ve never seen them appear so lively and loud before. Couldn´t catch them on flightpics but at least on the ground. The rattler is one of Europe´s rarest insects!

Apollo delight

21:st of July 2010
At least 3 Apollo butterflies are found around Tofsö marina today. Despite some wind they where quite obliging and this individual spent a lot of time on the ground allowing approach and photography.

Elephant cat

21:st of July 2010
This Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillar is found near Tofsö marina outside Trosa. A stunning creature with an amazing defense strategy. First it looks long the long, thick caterpillar it is.

Curving up

21:st of July 2010
When approached it curves up...

Cobra head

21:st of July 2010
..and raises it´s head like a cobra. Exposing a "false face" with scary big "eyes" on the side of the head.

Scary face

21:st of July 2010
... quite a scary "face"! What a creature!

Mystery bug

10:th of July 2010
A strange looking creature in the grass attracts our attention. First it looks like a bee, but soon I realise that it must be a newly hatched Moth of some kind. We get to witness the transformation from tube-shaped wingless creature to a proper flyer. What an experience!

Impressive antennae

10:th of July 2010
Some impressive and feathered antennae comes out!

Wings emerge

10:th of July 2010
After a little shaking, wings start to emerge. There´s no doubt it´s a Moth!

Monkey face

10:th of July 2010
But what a little face! It looks like a monkey.

Fully emerged

10:th of July 2010
These wingmarks should be identifiable. What species is it? Heart and Club (Agrotis clavis) - Barkfärgat jordfly in swedish. Accor
ding to Niclas Lignell

Lilypad Whiteface

9:th of July 2010
Lilypad Whiteface (Leucorrhinia caudalis) is one of Central Sweden´s star Dragonflies and very local/ rare. Today Eric Renman and I are extremely fortunate to find them on two spots in the same lake. Great little creatures. Returning many times to the same perch, usually a waterlily leaf.

Lilypad Whiteface sideways

9:th of July 2010
Lilypad Whiteface (Leucorrhinia caudalis) from the side. The white wingmarks (pterostigma) showing really well.

Broad-bodied Chaser

9:th of July 2010
Male Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa). This guy is acting like the sole king of his domain, patrolling his little ditch and chasing off every intruder, even larger Brown– and Blue Hawkers. A colourful, almost Kingfisher-like blue appearance.

4-spot Chaser

9:th of July 2010
Four-spot Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) is one of the most common species here this time of the year.

Hot Moth-night

5:th of July 2010
A perfect night for Moths and mercury-lamps, so 3 of us head out between 23.00- 03.00 in an Oaktree forest with lots of undergrowth. No less than 62 species are attracted to our 3 sheats. 2 of them here: Large Emerald (Geometra papilionaria) with a carpet.

Poplar Hawk Moth

5:th of July 2010
Poplar Hawk Moth (Laothoe populi) is always great to see and one of nature´s true design stunts. Tonight quite common with more than 10 specimen on our 3 sheats.

Lilac Beauty

5:th of July 2010
Lilac Beauty (Apeira syringaria) with it´s almost twisted wings.

Swallowtailed Moth

5:th of July 2010
Swallowtailed Moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria) is quite charismatic!

Scarce Hooktip

5:th of July 2010
The Scarce hooktip (Sabra harpagula) is one of the best finds tonight.