Butterflies and moths

The Sunday after I posted my last blog entry I noticed that a lot of the Large White caterpillars had gone, and by Monday they had all disappeared - either off to pupate or taken by birds. Since then the cabbages started to recover and I've since spotted eggs

With some ready to hatch

So I knew where to look for these on July 25th

They are still quite small

I thought I was going to spot two Large White butterflies mating today, but they turned out to be female Large and Small Whites.

The Small White flew over to the cabbages where I caught her laying an egg.

The Small White lays eggs singly and I think this is a young caterpillar - it was on the cabbages anyway.

And I'm certain this is a fully grown Small White caterpillar. I almost didn't spot it despite its size. It wasn't there the next day.

A few days ago I found this caterpillar which I'm fairly sure is of a Comma. It is on the hops, one of the preferred foods. I've seen a couple of Comma butterflies in the garden.

It's normally hidden from view, curled up and looking like bird poo, but I turned the leaf back to get the photo. I don't think it liked the sun and was on the move.

Today I saw my first Peacock butterfly in something like 40 years. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a photo. However a few weeks ago I was on a bike ride and met my daughter and family out for a walk. As we chatted the kids spotted this Peacock caterpillar.

On another bike ride I spotted a Speckled Wood butterfly - another first for me.

Back home and today I saw my first identified blue butterfly - a female Common Blue.

A couple of days ago I spotted this. I think it might be a Skipper (a kind of butterfly) but am not certain. It's hiding its antennae so I can't tell if it's a butterfly or moth.

Edit: it's a Yellow Shell Moth. Thanks to Lynmiranda for identifying it.

And finally a Common Plume moth.