A selection of insects
Besides the dragonflies, moths and butterflies encountered (read on for them), there was an abundance of other insect life to be seen on the island- from colourful beetles to the busy little harvester ants cleaning up after our lunches. Here is a bit of a random list of the ones I managed to (sort of ) identify...
Grasshopper sp.
I didn't manage to get any positive IDs on a lot of the grasshoppers we saw, but there were some pretty cool ones with very colourful hindwings, giving a burst of colour when disturbed. Any help with this one appreciated!
Ascalaphid - Libelloides longicornis
These funky-looking insects were nice to see every now and then. I only saw perhaps five individuals in total, ranging from the coast to the mountains above Bonifatu.
Mammoth Wasp - Megascolia maculata flavifrons
These huge wasps are the largest in Europe, and could be seen quite frequently along the coastline near Galeria, coming to feed on the nectar of the scrub plants.
Rose Chafer - Cetonia aurata
Encountered sporadically throughout the trip, we saw these shiny beetles both on the coast and in the mountainous areas inland. Occasionally they would stop to feed on flowers close by, but usually they would noisily fly past.
Trichodes alvearius
Our walk along the side of the Veru Valley lead us past a rich variety of wild flowers lining the track. These flowers were covered in a fantastic variety of beetles and bugs, a few of which I photographed. This was a smart one which was a little less common than the following species.
Blister Beetle - Hycleus polymorphus
There were perhaps 500 of these interesting Beetles covering the flowers astride the path up the Veru Valley, and there were also a few more at other locations visited in the mountains.
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Dragonflies - Odonata
Dragonflies were a great part of the trip, especially since I encounter very few on the island back in Wales. Since we visited a mix of different habitats during the trip, we managed to find a nice range of dragonfly species, many of which were new to me. Particular hotspots for odonata were the reservoir above Galeria, and the reeds and river just inland of Plage de Ostriconi. I recorded seven species of Dragonfly, and six Damselfly species during the trip, which I have included below with some images where possible.
Anisoptera - Dragonflies
Emperor Dragonfly - Anax imperator
A species encountered sporadically at areas fresh water along the coast.
Broad-bodied Chaser - Libellula depressa
I only saw a few of this common species, a couple of which were just below Lac de Capitello in the Restonica Valley.
Black-tailed Skimmer - Orthetrum cancellatum
I saw plenty of these along the coast, particularly at the reservoir near Galeria.
Keeled Skimmer - Orthetrum coerulescens
Again, this was quite common along the coast, at Galeria, the river mouth at the River Fango, and at Plage de Ostriconi.
Red-veined Darter - Sympetrum fonscolumbii
Common along the coast, usually away from water in the garrigue scrub.
Scarlet Darter - Cocothemis erythraea
Again, relatively common at the coast, being present at any body of fresh water.
Violet Dropwing - Trithemis annulata
A very smart species which I initially thought was a female Scarlet Darter! There were perhaps four individuals present amongst the reeds at Plage de Ostriconi
Zygoptera - Damselflies
Copper Demoiselle - Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis
A common species in Corsica, which I saw both in coastal areas of fresh water, and in many of the higher altitude river valleys and gorges.
Beautiful Demoiselle - Calopteryx virgo virgo
This seemed a little scarcer than the above species, but was still present in most of the gorges that we visited in the mountainous regions.
Dark Spreadwing - Lestes macrostigma
I saw a couple of these unusual damselflies on the coast near Galeria, at the small reservoir above the village.
Island Bluetail - Ischnura genei
This is one of the rarer species encountered on Corsica, being endemic to the island. I found a handful of individuals amongst the rushes at the coast at Plage de Ostriconi.
Southern Damselfly - Coenagrion mercuriale
One of the most common damselfly species on the coast, but not seen inland.
Small Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma viridulum
I saw plenty of these smart damselflies in the fresh water bodies at the coast - for instance the reservoir above Galeria.
Butterflies - Lepidoptera part I
All in all I recorded 32 species of butterflies, with some being a common sight throughout corsica, and others requiring specialist habitats and thus restricted to areas that are suitable. Everywhere we went there were greatHesperiinae - Skippers
Mallow Skipper - Carcharodus alceaeI saw just one of these during the trip, which was on a relatively exposed hill top on some thistle plants, a little way from Calvi.
Lycaenidae - Blues
Small Copper - Lycaena phlaes
This common species was present in a variety of locations, most often in the higher altitude areas with bare rocky hillsides and flowers lining the paths.
Brown Argus - Aricia agestis
I saw a few of these during the trip, and it seemed to be quite common on the coast near Galeria.
Geranium Bronze - Cacyreus marshalli
This attractive little hairstreak was present in small numbers around the garrigue scrub on the coast.
Holly Blue - Celastrina argiolus
The only place I saw this species was on the coast at Plage de Ostriconi, where there was some scrubby woodland which held about 10 of these individuals.
Papilionidae - Swallowtails
Scarce Swallowtail - Iphiclides podaliriusI saw a couple of these smart papilios: one near the reservoir above Galeria, and a couple on our drive from Galeria to Ponte Lecchia on some thistles.
Corsican Swallowtail - Papilio hospiton
This endemic species of Papilio essentially replaces the Swallowtail in Corsica, and is relatively widespread on the island. I cam across perhaps ten individuals during out time there, ranging from the coast to the higher valleys.
Pieridae - Whites
Clouded Yellow - Colias croceusI found this species to be relatively abundant, with large numbers particularly in the grassy slopes below Monte Cinto. They were, however, present all over the island and perhaps were the commonest species encountered.
Brimstone - Gonepteryx rhamni
Again, I only saw a few of this species, mainly in wooded valleys and rocky gorges.
Cleopatra - Gonepteryx cleopatra
I only recorded a handful of these smart butterflies, which were in a large Beech woodland at Cascade des Anglais.
Large White - Pieris brassicae
A common species all over the island
Green-veined White - Pieris napi
Another common species seen in a variety of locations.
Mountain Small White - Pieris ergane
I recorded perhaps 10 or 20 of these delicate whites, which were amongst the high alpine meadow and Corsican Pine habitats above 1000m.
Nymphalidae - Nymphs
Two-tailed Pasha - Charaxes jasius
One of Corsica's specialities, this smart butterfly seemed very widespread on the island, and occurred in a variety of habitats. I saw them on the coast amongst the garrigure scrub, in the corsican pine forests lining the rocky gorges inland, and also on the verges of coastal roads.
Silver-washed Fritillary - Argynnis paphia One of Corsica's specialities, this smart butterfly seemed very widespread on the island, and occurred in a variety of habitats. I saw them on the coast amongst the garrigure scrub, in the corsican pine forests lining the rocky gorges inland, and also on the verges of coastal roads.
Amongst the most frequent-seen species during the trip, this stunning butterfly was present in particularly high numbers within the pine forests at higher altitudes (i.e. not on the coast)
Corsican Fritillary - Argynnis elisa
I only saw this smart endemic species in the higher altitudes, perhaps above 1000m. It was relatively common on the sparsely vegetated mountain slopes and more open forest habitats on the sides of river valleys.
Mediterranean Fritillary - Argynnis pandora
I saw two of these fritillaries, both on the coast near Galeria feeding on some thistles
Queen of Spain Fritillary - Issoria lathonia
Relatively frequent in the mountainous areas, in a similar habitat to the Corsican Fritillary.
Southern White Admiral - Limenitis reducta
Seen only at the coast, but relatively common here. Best site for me was the walk to Girolata.
Peacock - Aglais io
Seen sporadically during the trip, mostly at higher elevations and in woodland.
Sardinian Small Tortoiseshell - Aglais urticae ichnusa
Seen only on the upper exposed rock faces of Monte Cinto (2500m), perhaps four individuals in total.
Painted Lady - Vanessa cardui
Very common all over, often moving northward in small numbers. Particularly high numbers in the meadows below Monte Cinto.
Corsican Heath - Coenonympha corinna
A common species which I found from the coast to upper mountainous areas over 1500m. One of the most widespread species encountered.
Southern Grayling - Hipparchia aristaeus
Seen occasionally in the rocky gorges near Asco and nearby valleys.
Great Banded Grayling - Brintesia circe
Three or four individuals found above Cascade de Anglais.
Wall Brown - Lasiommata meguera
This was a common species throughout the island, noted mainly in the garrigue scrub, but also in rocky and dry pasture land inland.
Wall Brown - Lasiommata parameguera
A slightly smarter species than the preeceding one, this occurred in similar areas, but was perhaps a little more common at higher altitudes.
Meadow Brown - Maniola jurtina
Commonly seen around the open areas outside pine forests in higher mountainous areas.
Speckled Wood - Pararge aegeria
Common in coastal forests and giant heath cover.
Southern Gatekeeper - Pyronia cecilia
A handful recorded in the open scrub and woods at Plage de Ostriconi
Moths - Lepidoptera part II
Moths were not a very prominent feature during our trip, although there were some nice day-flying species that we came across, and it was nice to have some interesting-looking macro moths attracted to our outside lights in the second week. I have included a short list of the ones I managed to identify below. I saw a few other species (particular footmans), but have so far been unable to identify them.
Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Macroglossum stellatarum
A common species all over the island, from the coast up into the more mountainous regions.
Pine Processionary - Thaumetopoea pityocampa
A bit of a pest species in the pine forests in mountainous areas, with the highly irritable caterpillars abundant in the late spring, causing rashes and quite bad reactions with many walkers. The larvae spin silk tents in the branches of the pines, hatching out in early-June. I saw perhaps 10 adult moths during our time there.
Silver Y - Autographa gamma
Common throughout Corsica.
Red Underwing - Catocala nupta
A smart but timid species that I saw on our walk up the Tassineta Valley. Adult moths would erupt from the tree trunks and fly off like the Grasshoppers that have brightly-coloured hindwings. It was very hard to see them once they had landed, though.
Oak Yellow Underwing - Catocala nymphagoga
I saw two of these smart moths, both on our way up through giant heather towards the reservoir near Galeria.
