ON THE WING
The burst in bird activity heralded by the dawn chorus corresponds with the emergence of early spring invertebrates. Moths, bees and butterflies become more numerous in April before their peak in the summer months.
The adult Oak Beauty moth, Biston strataria, with its lichen-patterned wings and feathery antennae, emerged in February and has almost finished its annual flight. The Shoulder Stripe moth, Earophila badiata, its wings varying patterns of brindled brown, can be found near wild roses, where it lays its eggs. The Emperor moth, Saturnia pavonia, is perhaps the most distinctive, with four amber, eye-like spots and the male’s long, feathered antennae.
Of butterflies, the first generation of Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria, are on the wing and can be sighted resting in sunny patches in dappled woodland or spiralling towards the treetops. The queen White-tailed bumblebee, Bombus lucorum, has been out for a month, and the workers hatch in April. Early bumblebees, B. pratorum, and Red-tailed bumblebees, B. lapidarius, buzz between dandelions and dead nettles.
The Necklace Ground beetle, Carabus monilis, is named for its iridescent, intricately ridged wing case. It is scarce and declining rapidly, but can still be found in old woodland and field margins.
Similarly, the adult Set-aside Downy-back beetle, Ophonus laticollis, emerges in April and favours arable field margins. Its metallic blue-green wing case contrasts brilliantly with its amber legs and antennae.
There are also a number of wood ant species. In England, the Southern Wood ant, Formica rufa, is the most common, while north of Cumbria it is the Northern wood ant, Formica lugubris. All are indicators of a healthy woodland and play a vital role in dispersing seeds, predating insects and providing a food source for other birds and animals, such as the Green woodpecker.