Max Anderson

PhD 🦋 South West Landscape Officer for Butterfly Conservation.

[Max Anderson @maxando]

Adonis blues in their hundreds at Anchor Bottom, West Sussex. Males congregating on dung and females getting chased up the slopes. @BCSussex @savebutterflies

[Max Anderson @maxando]

Brimstone pupae can be difficult to find, as the larvae often wander for some distance to find a suitable spot to pupate. The UV torch makes this job easier - what a stunning chrysalis! @BCDevon @savebutterflies

[Max Anderson @maxando]

@MarcusWRhodes @RichDGregory3 @HBoyerBirdnut Excellent! Any eggs?

[Max Anderson @maxando]

@domgreves @savebutterflies @BCDevon They’ve been declining in lots of places in the SW recently. Certainly a combination of factors including reduced habitat area, suitability and connectivity. Climatic factors will also be playing a role, but there are mixed effects. Complex solutions needed for complex issues

[Max Anderson @maxando]

Today I've been studying Small Pearl-bordered Frits in East Devon. Had 16 adults, including a mating pair. Highlight was seeing a female laying eggs somewhat haphazardly amongst the flora between sheltered scrubby patches. What a joy! @savebutterflies @BCDevon

[Max Anderson @maxando]

@willsocr They all look like Peacocks to me. I think when the larvae moult into their next instar, they emerge with lighter coloured spines, which turn black over time.

[Max Anderson @maxando]

Silver-studded Blues only really getting started here in East Devon, with a few fresh adults starting to appear. Nice to see this male make their very first flight after just emerging @savebutterflies @BCDevon @ClintonDevon

[Max Anderson @maxando]

Had a great day yesterday leading a guided walk at Langford Farm on Dartmoor for some of the fantastic volunteers at Yarner Wood. Marsh Fritillaries were a personal highlight, with 3 of the life stages seen! @savebutterflies

[Max Anderson @maxando]

@aknights10 @BCDevon @savebutterflies Thanks Andrew! I'm using a regular 365nm UV torch and my mirrorless APSC with a macro lens. Awkward to hold all in place, and requires a lot of practice with such low light.

[Max Anderson @maxando]

Last night I spent a few hours doing some UV surveys for Brown Hairstreak caterpillars at various sites across Exeter. Great fun! @BCDevon @savebutterflies

[Max Anderson @maxando]

Spent the morning surveying Horseshoe Vetch with a stunning view at our Westbury Beacon reserve on @MendipHillsNL. Pleased to see that it has spread into new areas, providing more foodplant for Chalkhill Blues. @BCSomerset @savebutterflies

[Max Anderson @maxando]

Silver-studded Blues starting to pupate here in East Devon. Won't be long until they're out on the wing! @BCDevon @savebutterflies

[Max Anderson @maxando]

A whole bunch of Green Hairstreak caterpillars fluorescing under UV! I'm already looking forward to seeing them for myself in the UK this summer..

[Toni Kasiske @ToniKasiske]

Da ist für jeden was dabei - Alytes obstetricans als Ton für die Amphibien-Fans und Callophrys rubi unter UV für die Entomologen 😉
PS.: Alytes Eier fluoreszieren auch 😅

[Dr Will Leo Hawkes @WillLeoHawkes]

Insect migration is truly one of the world's wonders!
Here's a blizzard of small cabbage white & clouded yellow butterflies migrating through a narrow Pyrenean pass.

All are using the sun as a compass as they migrate south for the winter!

@savebutterflies @MigrantMothUK

[LizWilliamsButterflyHaven @LWButterflyH]

Mystery lights in the Haven?
UFO?
New, techno club night?
Nope.
Night time quest by John, Tony and Gary for Brown Hairstreaks -success! Thanks @ButterflyDan for remote ID assistance and to @maxando for the idea.

[Max Anderson @maxando]

@davidbutler_75 @ExmouthWildlife @_sarahbutcher @ExmouthTrees @BCDevon BrHstk- check you live in their known range. On underside of Blackthorn leaves. Easier to spot at later instars. Can be found wandering along stems.

PuHstk- underside of Oak leaves, usually terminal leaves. Sunny, sheltered, mature Oaks best. Need 365nm torch. Many pupated now

[Max Anderson @maxando]

Had a great time out last night looking for caterpillars and pupae of White-letter Hairstreaks and Purple Hairstreaks under UV with some fantastic folks from @ExmouthWildlife. Obligatory time for checking out some bats too! @_sarahbutcher @ExmouthTrees @BCDevon

[Max Anderson @maxando]

@MarcusWRhodes Stunner! The few that I had an eye on disappeared about 10 days ago

[Dr Marcus Rhodes @MarcusWRhodes]

I succeeded in tracking down this Purple Hairstreak caterpillar during my lunch break at Penryn Campus today. This individual was originally found as an egg back in March; it's not far off pupating now.

[Max Anderson @maxando]

@JWentomologist @JennyPlackett @gmtord @DrBulman @savebutterflies I haven't. One for the list!

[Max Anderson @maxando]

Spent the day surveying Agonopterix atomella, Mirificarma lentiginosella and Grapholita lathyrana on Dyers Greenweed at RNAS Merryfield, Somerset. Such an important plant for some incredibly scarce moths. @JennyPlackett @gmtord @DrBulman @savebutterflies

[Max Anderson @maxando]

Not only did I find 7 White-letter Hairstreak pupae on my local Elm this afternoon, but I also found some ants investigating one for a while. The larvae are known myrmecophiles, and I suspect the pupae still have a trick or two up their sleeves! @savebutterflies