Large Red Damselflies

Damselflys have evolved a unique way in mating. The male (top) grabs the female behind the head using claspers however if the fit is not right mating will not take place. This photo shows the beginning of the mating process.

The Spectacle Moth

This Moth is so name because it has white spectacle like markings on its face.

Drinker Moth Caterpillar feeding

Caterpillars have sets of real or simple eyes called Ocelli  low down on the side of their head. The Drinker appears to have two sets of 4.

Drinker Moth Caterpillar

This Caterpillar is one of the most amazing life forms I have ever happened on. I found it while cleaning up some old timber. It measures 65mm long.

Sloe Bug

10 spot ladybird.

I had thought this ladybird was the invasive Harlequin.The Harlequin has various different names around the world as it can have different colours and between 0 -20 spots. The Harlequin is native to Asia but has been introduced by man to North America, Europe and Africa to control Aphids on crops but this decision has drastically affected the native species.The Harlequin not only outcompetes the native species food supply but also preys heavily on them. Ireland has 18 ladybird species, of which only 15 have been recorded recently. The spread of the Harlequin will no doubt impact these remaining few evolutionary unique species to Ireland. The environment and the biodiversity it supports will have to feature higher and be respected more throughout all countries. It especially needs to be brought into all government policy decisions and a switch away from outright enonomic growth that all goverments strive for at present. There will be no human economy without a functioning ecosystem.

Cinnabar Moth

Ladybirds

 

Seven spot ladybird

 

Cream spot Ladybird

 

Fourteen spot Ladybird

Small Copper Butterfly

Female Common Blue

The females are not even blue on top, this one here is feeding on speedwell wild flowers

Male Common Blue Butterfly

Real's Wood White Butterfly

The Real's Wood White is a different species to the Wood White which is found in the West of Ireland . However this new research explains lots more 
http://www.butterflyconservation.ie/wordpress/?p=805

Large Red Damselfly

Male Beautiful Calopteryx virgo Damselfly

The male uses the grasping cerci to clamp onto the female during mating,     some tough loving dosent go astray sometimes...

Female Beautiful Calopteryx virgo Damselfly

Beautiful Calopteryx virgo Female Damselfly

tetragnatha extensa

Cinnabar Moth

The red is a warning colour used to dissuade potential predators of its distasteful nature

Butterfly catterpillars

 

Big one is Small Tortoishell Catterpillar Small one is a Peacock

Larva of Orange Tip Butterfly