Nitrogen loving (nitrophilous) lichens grow well in situations where there are relatively high levels of nitrogen compounds. Large quantities of nitrogen compounds enter our atmosphere from vehicle exhaust, through artificial agricultural fertiliser input (and subsequent decay into air bore pollutants) … Continue reading
Lichens are a partnership. This can involve two or more partners in the one species. The partners are firstly mycobiont fungi often ascomycota, of which ascomycota forms the largest phylum of the kingdom fungi. Ascomycota contains 75% of all described fungi species and is … Continue reading
Lichens are an abundant and very diverse group, with the BLS estimating that there are over 2000 species in the UK, with many new species and morphs being found, and added to the list each year! Across the globe there … Continue reading
This gallery contains 9 photos.
Two butterflies, the Red Admiral (Vanessa atlanta) and the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), are both migrants to the UK from their breeding grounds in Europe, and in the case of the Painted Lady, North Africa and Arabia. Both species can … Continue reading
Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) and Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) may not be our most charismatic butterfly species however, they can be some of our most abundant, so look out for these this summer when you are out and … Continue reading
This is one of several spectacular and intricately (some would say bizarrely) patterned moths found in the UK, the Buff Arches (Habrosyne pyritoides). The distribution of this species extends north to roughly between Newcastle upon Tyne and Carlisle. Again, this … Continue reading
Garlic Mustard or Jack-By-The-Hedge (Alliaria petiolata), see image 1, is the food plant for a charming butterfly, the Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines), what I feel is a quintessential sign of spring. The butterfly is seen from early April-early June, having … Continue reading
If you are going to see any moth this month (July), it is likely to be the Riband Wave (Idaea aversata), in the Geometridae family. The species is found throughout the British Isles, including a few migrants to the Scottish … Continue reading
Two species, ubiquitous to the UK countryside, are the Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) and the Peacock (Inachis io) and they were once extremely common. The larvae of both species, feed almost exclusively on the Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) see image … Continue reading
The Large Skipper (Ochlodes faunus) see image 1, the final skipper that has been recorded on campus, is again orange, but is much larger than both the Small and Essex Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris and T. lineola) with a wingspan up to … Continue reading
