Puzzles

[Ragged Robin]

'talking of which what is best to add to an raised alpine bulb bed which is sinking in the snow melt? '

A mixture of humus and grit with added bonemeal.

Thanks David - will do!

[Ragged Robin]

Here's a little puzzle for you if its still rainy.
I entered this pic in a competition.  First I had to find a name for the butterfly.  It could be one you have seen locally.  Do its wings reflect the sky?

Found it!  Think this is the farfalla dello specchio....

[tonyg]

Hmm
I hope I already made it clear that I am no butterfly expert!  (I do apollogise!)
However I used this web site
http://www.guypadfield.com/
and came up with Idas Blue although there are several very similar species.  Take a look and see what you think.
Mine was photographed near Zermatt in early July.

[Ragged Robin]

Thanks for the butterfly website link, Tony, it is a great source of info and beautiful photos - even has a butterfly quiz!!  I'm definitely no expert but love watching butterflies wherever I happen to be and and am amazed at their diversity.  When Anthony said he thought the butterfly I photographed on the vetch here was not the Adonis blue  I too thought maybe it was the Iolas blue as it looked very similar to the one in the webpage and I am wondering if anyone else has a photo of it?

(can't find out how to add two quotes in one reply - I've tried copying and pasting but my first post disppears!)

My Alpine meadow attracts a whole host of insects at different times.  Here is another on scabious, it's favourite food?

[Maggi Young]

Robin for the two quote option, copy and paste into the quote box provided by clicking on the "yellow  bubble" icon second right from the options above the text box.

I know so few butterflies and moths it is ridiculous.... but since I'm writing anyway.... I think that black and red chap may be a Burnet Moth 

[Ragged Robin]

Robin for the two quote option, copy and paste into the quote box provided by clicking on the "yellow  bubble" icon second right from the options above the text box.

Thanks for the 'quote' unquote help Maggi.....

I know so few butterflies and moths it is ridiculous.... but since I'm writing anyway.... I think that black and red chap may be a Burnet Moth 

I feel the same but my appetite to know more about butterflies and moths has been whet!  This site could be interesting for you on a rainy day if you have time....the puzzling thing about the Moth I photographed is it has no spots like the Burnet ID in below :

http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/downloads/1991/butterfly_and_moth_identification_charts.html

....and for anyone with children, grandchildren or just childlike curiosity look under the learn tab...the puzzles under play and learn are great!

[WimB]

Hi Robin,

it probably is Zygaena minos from the same genus as Zygaena filipendulae (the six-spotted burnet) or one of the many subspecies of Zygaena filipendulae.

[Ragged Robin]

Yes, that's it Wim - Zygaena minos - I found it in Wikipedia but all in German so Double Dutch to me!  Will look further to find Swiss/English site...

It's wonderful to be able to name things you see and enjoy - pronouncing the names is something else! 

[WimB]

When I was younger (not that I'm old) I was very interested in all Lepidoptera's, it would seem I still have retained some of that knowledge.
There's a Wikipedia page about it in Dutch too but I guess that's even more Double Dutch  then German for you. I don't know any site in English which discusses this species.

It's always the hardest thing to pronounce the names correctly, the same with plantnames.

[Ragged Robin]

I see what you mean, Wim, I think I need a break!

Amphiesmenoptera is an insect superorder, established by Willi Hennig in his revision of insect taxonomy for two sister orders: Lepidoptera and Trichoptera.

[Ragged Robin]

Phyteuma spicatum (I thought it was blue grass in the forest edge!) What was it used for in the 16 century?

[Maggi Young]

Lori, great photo, looks like an alien creature!!
Isn't it Phyteuma spicatum ssp. coeruleum ...... plain P. spicatum being creamy yellow?

[tonyg]

Rampion was (apparently) cultivated as a kitchen herb.  Herbalists proposed its use for 'inflamation of the mouth' and 'throte wartes'.  BUT I'm not sure it was this species they refer to
Amazing what you find on the internet!
Here are two more phyteumas seen in the Valais
Phyteuma orbiculare - a meadow plant
Phyteuma globularifolia - a mountain plant ... and tiny!

Finally a little puzzle for you ....
Where did I see this traffic jam from my window?

[Ragged Robin]

Rampion was (apparently) cultivated as a kitchen herb.  Herbalists proposed its use for 'inflamation of the mouth' and 'throte wartes'.  BUT I'm not sure it was this species they refer to
Amazing what you find on the internet!
Here are two more phyteumas seen in the Valais
Phyteuma orbiculare - a meadow plant
Phyteuma globularifolia - a mountain plant ... and tiny!

'throte wartes' ?? sounds terrible!  I love old English...

I shall look out for the other species of Phyteuma you have posted, Tony, on my walks with Jazzy (our dog) - it is such an intriguing looking plant!
My flore des montagnes book says Phyteuma orbiculare was eaten like little turnips in the 16 Century before the introduction of potatoes which 'dethroned' them!

]Finally a little puzzle for you ....

Where did I see this traffic jam from my window?

Oh er?...I think I'll phone a friend......

[Carol Shaw]

Finally a little puzzle for you ....
Where did I see this traffic jam from my window?

Tony looks like Austria to me though I couldn't guess where