Butterfly/ Moth /Dragonfly Images

I spotted this tiny but colourful mint moth this morning, perched on my Salvia 'Black and Blue'.

 

A lovely little Mint moth.

 

Mint Moths are lovely when not on my herbs!

 

The red admirals have just started appearing recently, and were enjoying the lovely day we had on Wednesday. Fortunately I had the camera outside with me. One landed on my hand for a little while, but I couldn't get the camera to try and take a pic.

 

I had to wait until today to see my first Painted Lady at Durlston CP and this afternoon one turned up in the garden on the Budleia!!




A female Common or Adonis Blue(?) was sheltering from the strong winds.

 

Could it be an Idas or Nothern Blue (Plebejus idas)? @strongylodon

 

My OH found it on the grass yesterday when he was planting our Spring bulbs moved it onto the garden, an Elephant hawk moth caterpillar.

 

We have felt that this year has been the worst for butterflies and dragonflies. Seen so few and our garden has ponds and plants that are for the insects. Not that we mind so much but we also feel that there have been much fewer flies than previous years. The big butterfly count showed a steep decline.

 

It's odd as later on this year is probably the most we've seen in many a year of butterflies and other flying insects....

 

Red Admiral on the Echinacea yesterday evening. I also saw a huge dragonfly bombing around the B&Q carpark, moving too fast to ID it!

 

A long distance shot of a Hummingbird Hawkmoth at Neuschwanstein last week.

 

The Buddleia lived up to it''s name today as it was full of them most of the day, 6 Admirals at one time!

 

Another butterfly day on the Buddleia. Painted Lady visited briefly but plenty of Admirals and Peacocks again. I had hoped for something different, Comma, Small Copper or a Tortoiseshell but just one Large White.

 

Most I've seen lately look like they are dying, such lovely looking creatures.