The 2010 Purple Emperor Season

Gentlemen, iris is unlikely to appear on the wing before the end of June. I expect the first males at the early sites in Surrey, W Sussex and E Hampshire to appear on Sun 27th June at the earliest. That estimate has been brought forward, following this evening's Countryfile weather forecast, which is predicting a hot and sunny week. I suspect that at most sites the season will not start before 1st July. I may be wrong... but my prediction is derived from following larvae closely in the wild, together with observations of a small captive-bred sample.

At my study sites in mid Wilts, larvae were still around on Sat 19th June, and none had pupated by Sat 12th. Moreover, in captivity, where the butterfly is usually earlier, at present only seven out of 10 larvae have pupated. The butterfly usually spends two to three weeks in the pupal state.

Keep checking this website: the first iris of the Immortal 2010 Season will be reported here.... it's just a matter of who, when and where.....

Spring Larval Doings

Samuel Coleridge, in vernal prime

'Through wood and dale the sacred river ran'

John Clare resting

'In childhood I sought the edge of the world'

Ted Hughes, hiding...

Byron, awaiting tree to stop flowering and come into leaf

'For the sword outwears its sheath,

And the soul wears out the breast,

And the heart must pause to breathe,

And love itself have rest.'

TS Eliot lined up against a swelling bud

'World not world but that which is not world'

*****

Larval Doings

Sarah Coleridge, being silly...

Gentlemen, we are pupating...

Samuel Coleridge encountering cuckoo spit:

'For he on honey-dew hath fed

And drunk the milk of Paradise...'

Larval Doings

Latest Image

Sarah Coleridge, at work

Radio 4s Saving Species

His Imperial Majesty, in larval form, will be appearing on next week's Saving Species, on Radio 4, Tues 8th June at 11am, repeated Thurs 10th June at 9pm.

As a foretaste, here is Keats ascending, as in -

'The soul of Adonais, like a star, Beacons from the abode where the Eternal are.'

Fly the Flag

Gentlemen, kindly purchase a pair of England car flags, carefully spray the red cross purple, and fly them boldly during the forthcoming Emperor season. We must come out...