Species chosen for May
Holly blue (Celastrina argiolus)
This beautiful butterfly can be found in a range of habitats, including gardens, parks, and woodland rides. Its indigo-blue upperwings are rarely seen, but its distinctive black dotted, white underwings can be seen in flight and at rest.
The holly blue has two broods a year – the first eggs are laid on holly, whilst the second clutch are laid mainly on ivy buds. The latter offspring can be seen into September, and these females are darker in colour with heavier black markings.
Zebra spider (Salticidae scenius)
This hunting spider is known as the ‘zebra spider’ due to the striped pattern created by its black and white hairs. It uses its excellent eyesight to hunt its prey, and can often be seen on outside walls, becoming more active as the wall warms up. It uses its third and fourth pairs of legs to jump, both to catch prey and escape predators.
If you get the chance, try feeding an aphid to a zebra spider with tweezers – as its gaze follows the prey, you may be able to see the spider’s remarkable eyes.
Woundwort shieldbug (Eysarcoris fabricii)
Shieldbugs are part of the sub-order of the ‘true-bugs’ (sub-order Heteroptera, order Hemiptera), which are so called because part of their backs is called the scutellum, meaning ‘small shield’. The 45 different species, which includes leatherbugs, come in a variety of lengths, ranging from less than 3mm to 14mm. Their colours range from bright green to black, with some having a metallic sheen. This is due to shieldbugs having a background colour, plus surface punctures that differ in size and colour.