Hogweed bonking beetle and more on the Literary Trail.

This walk, from the Mid Sussex Ramblers' programme, lead by William walked the Houghton Bridge to Duncton section of the Literary Way.

A Peacock butterfly on the river bank.

Fox and cubs flower.

Burdock plant...what beauties.

A small white male.

A male Large white butterfly.

These little beetles were very active.

It must have been the hot weather...  Because of their red colour, these beetles are popularly known as blood suckers (but they do not actually suck blood.)  According to Wikipedia their habit of mating conspicuously on umbellifer heads has gained them the nickname hogweed bonking beetle.  These are on a wild parsnip, which is poisonous.  The sap causes severe blisters due to skin becoming hyper-sensitive to sunlight.  Don't confuse it with Alexanders, which allegedly can be used in cooking.

The female seems bigger than the male.  Size doesn't matter then.

Above and below is a male Gatekeeper butterfly.

Above and below is a male Ringlet butterfly.

Near Burton Park was a row of really ancient oaks.

This sweet chestnut was enormous.  I can not recall a bigger one anywhere.

Spot the grasshopper.

Here it is.

A Common Field Grasshopper.

And as a bonus..

Fritillary butterflies were seen.  This one is from Nymans woods 30 June 2009.