22-6-2025 RIOLA, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

Trithemis annulata, commonly known as the violet dropwing, violet-marked darter, purple-blushed darter, or plum-coloured dropwing, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in most of Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe. These dragonflies are called dropwings because of their habit of immediately lowering their wings after landing on a perch. Males of this species are violet-red with red veins in the wings, while females are yellow and brown. Both sexes have red eyes.

Trithemis annulata is a robust medium-sized species with a wingspan of 60 mm (2.4 in). The mature male has a dark red head and a yellow labium with a brown central spot. The eyes are red with white spots on the rear edge, and the frons is dark metallic purplish-red. The prothorax is violet with slightly darker longitudinal stripes. The membranous wings have distinctive red veins, the pterostigma is orange-brown, and there is a large orange-brown splash at the base of the hind wings. The abdomen is fairly broad and is pinkish-violet, with purple markings on the top of each segment and blackish markings on the terminal three segments. Females are a similar size to males, but the thorax is brownish, and the abdomen is yellow with dark brown markings. The wings of females lack the red veins of males but have similar orange-brown patches. It is very similar in appearance to the red-veined dropwing (Trithemis arteriosa), but that species has a more slender abdomen and a wedge-shaped black area on either side of the tip of the abdomen.

22-6-2025 RIOLA, VALENCIA - COMMON HOUSE MARTIN (Delichon urbicum)

The Western House Martin (Delichon urbicum), sometimes known as the Common House Martin, is a migratory passerine bird belonging to the swallow family. It is characterized by a blue head and upperparts, a distinctive white rump, and pure white underparts. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with both sexes appearing similar, and juveniles displaying a sooty black coloration with white-tipped wing coverts and quills.

Adults measure approximately 13 cm in length, with a wingspan ranging from 26 to 29 cm and an average weight of 18.3 grams. They possess brown eyes, a small black bill, and pink toes and exposed leg parts. The white rump and underparts are particularly noticeable in flight, aiding in distinguishing them from other swallows.

The Western House Martin favors open country with low vegetation, such as pastures, meadows, and farmland, often near water. It is also found in urban areas and can nest in city centers if air quality permits.

This bird breeds across Europe, North Africa, and the Palearctic, migrating to sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia for the winter. It is a broad-front migrant, traveling during daylight and feeding on insects in flight.

The Western House Martin is a social bird, often breeding colonially with nests built in close proximity. It is known for its aerial agility, which it uses to evade predators such as the Eurasian Hobby.

The male's song is a soft twitter of melodious chirps, while the contact call is a hard "chirrrp." The alarm call is a shrill "tseep."

Nests are constructed from mud pellets under eaves or similar overhangs on buildings, usually in colonies. The species is known to produce two broods per year, with four to five white eggs per brood. Juveniles fledge after 22 to 32 days and are fed by parents for about a week thereafter.

The Western House Martin can be confused with the Asian House Martin (D. dasypus) and the Nepal House Martin (D. nipalense), but it is the only one with a pure white rump and underparts.

The diet consists primarily of insects caught in flight, with a preference for flies and aphids. Hunting typically occurs within 450 meters of the nest and often near open ground or water.

The Western House Martin is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with an extensive range and large population. However, there are indications of population fluctuations and declines in certain regions, attributed to factors such as weather, pesticides, and competition for nesting sites.

22-6-2025 ULLAL DE BALDOVI, ALBAFERA - PUISSANT'S GREEN WINGED GRASSHOPPER (Aiolopus puissanti)

Aiolopus puissanti is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in southern Europe and northern Africa.

Puissant's Green-winged Grasshopper is a species of band-winged grasshopper (Aiolopus puissanti) found in southern Europe and northern Africa. It belongs to the family Acrididae and the subfamily Oedipodinae. The genus Aiolopus also includes other green-winged grasshoppers. 

Scientific Name: Aiolopus puissanti

Common Name: Puissant's Green-winged Grasshopper

Family: Acrididae (Grasshoppers)

Subfamily: Oedipodinae

Distribution: Southern Europe and northern Africa

The genus Aiolopus contains several other green-winged grasshopper species, including the Slender Green-winged Grasshopper (Aiolopus thalassinus).

Related terms: The term "green-winged grasshopper" can also refer to the genus Aiolopus as a whole.

22-6-2025 ULLAL DE BALDOVI, ALBAFERA - RUEPPELL'S GLOBETAIL (Sphaerophoria rueppellii)

Sphaerophoria rueppellii is a European species of hoverfly. Larvae are predators of aphids, and the species has been commercialized for biological pest control of aphids. The larvae go through three instars.

Sphaerophoria rueppellii is a native hoverfly that preys on aphids and can withstand the extreme temperature conditions typical of European  climate. Ideal for controlling aphid and psyllid pests in both horticultural crops and landscaped green areas. This auxiliary insect is essential in pepper and strawberry crops. It is also one of the most interesting species to include in biological conservation control programs in hedgerows and public parks and gardens. Studying its life cycle is easy and educational.

22-6-2025 ULLAL DE BALDOVI, ALBAFERA - GRAND BANDED FURROW BEE (Halictus scabiosae)

Halictus scabiosae, the great banded furrow-bee, is a species of bee in the family Halictidae, the sweat bees.

This species is present in most of Europe and in North Africa.

The abdomen is long, with yellowish stripes and a double band on tergites two and three. The legs are yellow and antennae are entirely black and curved at the apex. Males are very elongated and have a whitish posterior band on segments two-six of the abdomen, while the females show basal hair yellowish-beige bands on tergites two-four.

This species looks very similar to a closely related species, Halictus sexcinctus, and thus the two can be easily confused. These two species can be distinguished from one another in that males of H. sexcinctus have longer, reddish antennae, and females lack said basal hair bands.

These mining bees nest on the ground in hardened paths. Normally they dig vertical tunnels in the ground, with a circular entrance surrounded by a cone of earth. In most cases a single female of Halictus scabiosae use a single nest, but sometimes they have a primitive social organization, with multiple females reproducing in a common nest. This primitive species can also be eusocial, with smaller females acting as workers. They are used to nest at a particular site in many colonies.

This species may have several generations per year. Females usually can be found in April after hibernation, while males and new females appear in July. These bees feed on nectar and pollen of various flowers, especially on Asteraceae species.

22-6-2025 RIO JUCAR CULLERA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

The common moorhen, known scientifically as Gallinula chloropus, is a bird of the rail family, Rallidae. It is a bird of striking appearance, with a mix of black and brown plumage, a white under-tail, and white streaks along its flanks. Its legs are a vibrant yellow, and it sports a distinctive red frontal shield. The bill is a matching red with a yellow tip. Juveniles are a duller brown and do not have the red shield.

Adult moorhens can be identified by their red frontal shield, which has a rounded top and fairly parallel sides. The tailward margin of the red unfeathered area is smoothly curved. Their yellow legs and the combination of their black and brown plumage with white markings make them quite distinctive. The young are browner and lack the red shield, making them less conspicuous.

The common moorhen is found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, ponds, canals, and lakes that are rich in vegetation. It is also known to inhabit city parks with suitable water bodies.

This species has a broad distribution across many parts of the Old World. It is not found in polar regions or many tropical rainforests but is otherwise widespread, often being the most common rail species in its range.

22-6-2025 MUNTANYETA DEL SANS, ALBUFERA - BLACK WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)

The Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus, is a slender wader known for its strikingly long, pink legs and contrasting black-and-white plumage. This elegant bird is a member of the avocet and stilt family, Recurvirostridae.

Adult Black-winged Stilts measure 33–36 cm in length. They possess a long, thin black bill and display a distinctive black and white coloration. The head and neck are predominantly white, with variable black markings depending on the sex and subspecies. Males typically have a glossy or greenish sheen on their black backs, while females exhibit a more brownish tinge. During flight, their long legs trail behind, and their wingbeats are steady.

These birds favor marshes, shallow lakes, and ponds as their breeding grounds. They are also known to inhabit coastal areas during migration and in the winter months.

The Black-winged Stilt has a wide range, extending across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some populations migrate to coastal regions in winter, while others in milder climates may remain resident or engage in short-range movements.

Black-winged Stilts are often seen foraging in shallow waters, gracefully picking insects and crustaceans from the surface. They are known to nest in small groups, sometimes alongside avocets, and exhibit a variety of courtship behaviors, including intricate displays and duets.

The flight call of the Black-winged Stilt is a sharp and clear kleek, typically heard during its aerial maneuvers.

Nests are simple bare spots on the ground near water. These birds are communal nesters and may breed in loose colonies. They have been known to breed as far north as Britain, with recent successful breeding events recorded in Southern and Northern England.

The Black-winged Stilt can be confused with other stilt species, such as the Black-necked Stilt (H. mexicanus) in the Americas, the White-backed Stilt (H. melanurus), and the Pied Stilt (H. leucocephalus) in Australasia and New Zealand.

Their diet consists mainly of insects and crustaceans, which they deftly pick from the water's surface or from wet sand.

The IUCN lists the Black-winged Stilt as Least Concern, indicating a stable global population. However, they are protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in their conservation.

21-6-2025 RIO SERPIS GANDIA, VALENCIA - SPOTTED FLYCATCHER

The Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata, is a modestly adorned yet charming small passerine bird belonging to the Old World flycatcher family. It is a migratory species, breeding across Europe and the Palearctic as far as Siberia, and spending the winter months in Africa and southwestern Asia. Despite its widespread presence, there is concern over its decline in certain areas.

Adult Spotted Flycatchers possess grey-brown upperparts and a somewhat pallid underbelly. Their crown and breast are streaked, which is the origin of their common name. They have short, black legs and a black bill shaped to suit their insectivorous diet. Juveniles can be distinguished by their browner plumage and the presence of spots on their upperparts.

These birds favor deciduous woodlands, parks, and gardens, particularly those with open spaces amidst trees.

The Spotted Flycatcher has a broad breeding range, extending from Europe to western Siberia and northwest Africa. During the non-breeding season, they migrate to southern Africa.

With an upright posture, these flycatchers are often seen hunting from prominent perches, darting out to snatch flying insects and frequently returning to the same spot.

The call of the Spotted Flycatcher is a soft, high-pitched, and slightly descending 'tssssseeeeeppppp'.

The Spotted Flycatcher constructs an open nest in a recess, often against a wall, and is amenable to using open-fronted nest boxes. Clutches typically consist of 4-6 eggs. Remarkably, they exhibit excellent egg recognition, a likely evolutionary response to past parasitism by the common cuckoo.

The Mediterranean flycatcher, previously considered a subspecies, is similar in appearance but has been recognized as a separate species due to genetic differences.

As aerial insectivores, Spotted Flycatchers feed on flying insects, which they catch in mid-air from their vantage points.

The IUCN currently lists the Spotted Flycatcher as Least Concern, although there are noted declines in some regions of its range.

21-6-2025 RIO SERPIS GANDIA, VALENCIA - ORANGE WINGED DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis kirbyi)

Trithemis kirbyi, also known as the Kirby's dropwing, orange-winged dropwing, or scarlet rock glider is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae.

It is found in Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Burundi. It is also present in southern Europe, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Ocean Islands and South Asia to India.

Since 2003 this African tropical dragonfly has been colonizing Europe helped by a widespread increase in temperatures. It is now breeding successfully in Spain, Portugal and France.

The adult male abdomen measures 21–24 mm and hind wing 24–27 mm. Female abdomen measures 23 mm and hind wing 26–30 mm. The male is a medium-sized scarlet dragonfly with a broad reddish amber patch on the base of transparent wings. The female is similar to the male, but duller in color. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical streams and rivers. It breeds in marshes, ponds, and lakes, and prefers to perch on exposed rocks, dry areas, and boulders in riverbeds.

20-6-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata)

The Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata, is a modestly adorned yet charming small passerine bird belonging to the Old World flycatcher family. It is a migratory species, breeding across Europe and the Palearctic as far as Siberia, and spending the winter months in Africa and southwestern Asia. Despite its widespread presence, there is concern over its decline in certain areas.

Adult Spotted Flycatchers possess grey-brown upperparts and a somewhat pallid underbelly. Their crown and breast are streaked, which is the origin of their common name. They have short, black legs and a black bill shaped to suit their insectivorous diet. Juveniles can be distinguished by their browner plumage and the presence of spots on their upperparts.

These birds favor deciduous woodlands, parks, and gardens, particularly those with open spaces amidst trees.

The Spotted Flycatcher has a broad breeding range, extending from Europe to western Siberia and northwest Africa. During the non-breeding season, they migrate to southern Africa.

With an upright posture, these flycatchers are often seen hunting from prominent perches, darting out to snatch flying insects and frequently returning to the same spot.

20-6-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - DESERT SAND GRASSHOPPER (Sphingonotus rubescens)

Sphingonotus rubescens is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in the Palearctic.

Sphingonotus rubescens inhabits rocky, stony or sandy terrain of all kinds, such as rocky slopes, dunes or ravines.

The adults can be observed almost all year round. Eggs are laid in the ground.

Sphingonotus rubescens is difficult to separate from related species, such as Sphingonotus caerulans. 

A thermophilic species, it is indifferent to substrate type. It generally prefers steppe or subdesert environments, always with a high degree of dryness and completely or almost completely devoid of vegetation, preferring flat, gently sloping terrain where sunlight is greatest. Its altitude range extends from sea level in numerous locations along the Mediterranean coast to very high altitudes that can exceed 1,900 m. Imagoes can be observed year-round.

Distribution of Sphingonotus rubescens includes the Iberian Peninsula, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Madeira, North Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Türkiye to India, Kazakhstan, Mongolia.

Grasshopper with a body length of about 25 mm and a wingspan of about 50 mm. Brownish coloration. Narrow vertex with a marked keel; forehead with four well-defined keels. Elliptical eyes. Thin antennae with several blackish bands. Prothorax with a very slight keel; very short anterior part; rounded posterior edge, barely angular. Chest and lower abdomen pale yellowish. Hind femora with an interrupted blackish band on the inner side, and a row of five blackish spots on the outer side. Tegmina with numerous irregular rings, formed by black veins. Ashy-hyaline wings with black veins.

19-6-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - LARGE WALL BROWN BUTTERFLY (Lasiommata maera)

Lasiommata maera, the large wall brown, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae.

The species is common in continental Europe. It is also present in the Urals, south western Siberia, Asia Minor, Syria, Iran, Central Asia and the Himalayas. It is absent from the United Kingdom. Its preferred habitats are edges of the forest, unmanaged clearings on forested areas, rocky dry areas and stony slopes, at an elevation of 0–2,000 metres (0–6,562 ft) above sea level.

Lasiommata maera has a wingspan of 44–56 millimetres (1.7–2.2 in). These large butterflies are quite variable in color and pattern. Usually the upperside is orange in the forewings and mostly brown in the hindwings. The forewings always show a single ocellus, while the hindwings bear two or three ocelli. The underside of the forewings is orange and the underside of the hindwings is marbled with gray brown. This species is quite similar to Lasiommata megera, that is smaller and has paler yellow-orange forewings. Seitz P. maera L. (= adrasta Dup.) (45 d). On an average larger than hiera, more evenly coloured, the black markings of the ground less prominent in the nymotypical form with a sooty brown disc; the forewing of the male more pointed, with longer costal margin and more oblique distal margin; on the underside of the forewing the distal band extends without interruption across the median veins to the hindmargin. The underside of the hindwing has a much purer ground-colour, i. e. there are less clouds and shadows between the various dentate lines which cross the disc.

20-6-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - THE BORDERED STRAW MOTH (Heliothis peltigera)

Heliothis peltigera, also known as the bordered straw, is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae.

The Greek epithet "Heliothis" means "scorched by the sun", while the Latin species name peltigera means wearing a small shield, with reference to the reniform marking on the forewings.

This species can be found in Southern Europe and the Near East, but it is present further north too, because it is a regular migratory species northbound. It is also present in most of Africa (Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Gambia, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Somalia, Tunisia)  and in Asia, ranging to China and Laos.

This heat-loving species occurs mainly on hot wastelands and warm slopes.

Heliothis peltigera has a wingspan of 29–40 mm  and forewings reaching a length of 16–19 mm. These moths are rather variable in pattern and colour.

Forewings are usually greyish ochreous, flushed with pale brown, except the narrow marginal area; lines are brown, indistinct; orbicular stigma is a dark dot. On middle of costa there is a reniform grey dot, with dark brown edge and centre, joined to a brown mark. A brown band appears between outer and submarginal lines. A black dot is present below vein 2 before margin. Hindwings show a broad brown-black marginal border, containing a pale blotch between 2 and 4. Cellspot is dark and fringes are white. Larvae are reddish grey or ochreous, dotted with white. Dorsal and subdorsal lines are dark, while spiracular line is white.

This species is quite similar to Heliothis nubigera, that shows less evident kidney markings, and to Helicoverpa armigera, that has lighter colored hindwings.

These migratory moths arrives from May to October depending on the location. Adults* feed on flowers of various plants. The larvae feed on a variety of plants, including Ononis, Carthamus, Medicago, Calendula, Senecio viscosus, Tagetes, Hyoscyamus, Atropa belladonna and Atropa baetica.

19-6-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - ANGLE MOTH (Itame vincularia)

Itame vincularia is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is found in France, Portugal, Spain, North Africa and Turkey.

The wingspan is about 28–32 mm.

The larvae feed on Rhamnus infectoria and Frangula alnus.

Subspecies

Itame vincularia vincularia

Itame vincularia latefasciata Rothschild, 1914

Itame vincularia lycioidaria Herbulot, 1957

Itame vincularia mrassinaria (Oberthur, 1923)

Lepidoptera of the Geometridae family and the Ennominae subfamily , present in Spain.

It has a wingspan of 28–32 mm. It is strikingly gray in color with a prominent elongated black spot running transversely across the distal part of the forewing cell. A wide brown band is also prominent in the submarginal area of ​​the anterior part of the forewing. A thin, transverse, yellowish-brown line is often seen at the base of the forewings.

 

19-6-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GREAT CAPRICORN BEETLE (Cerambyx cerdo)

Cerambyx cerdo, commonly known as the great capricorn beetle or cerambyx longicorn, is a species of beetle in family Cerambycidae. It occurs in North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia), Europe (Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, North Macedonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Ukraine), and Asia (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, and Turkey).

The beetle was previously present in the United Kingdom but went locally extinct at least hundreds of years ago. Preserved specimens have been found in the UK, having been dated to around 4000 years old. It has been recorded in the UK since, but this believed to be because of accidental human introduction due to wood transport.

Cerambyx cerdo, commonly known as the great capricorn beetle or cerambyx longicorn, is a species of beetle in family Cerambycidae. It occurs in North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia), Europe (Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, North Macedonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Ukraine), and Asia (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, and Turkey).

The beetle was previously present in the United Kingdom but went locally extinct at least hundreds of years ago. Preserved specimens have been found in the UK, having been dated to around 4000 years old. It has been recorded in the UK since, but this believed to be because of accidental human introduction due to wood transport.

This beetle measures between 41 and 55 mm in body length and is among the largest of the European beetle species. It has an elongated, robust body and, like all members of the longhorn family, it has long antennae. In males, these thread-like antennae are longer than the body, but in females they are only as long as the hard wing cases (the elytra). The legs and body are black, except for the elytra which are reddish-brown towards the tips.

19-6-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BATH WHITE BUTTERFLY

 Pontia daplidice, the Bath white, is a small butterfly of the family Pieridae, the yellows and whites, which occurs in the Palearctic region. It is common in central and southern Europe, migrating northwards every summer, often reaching southern Scandinavia and sometimes southern England.

The Bath white is a small white butterfly with a wingspan of 45 to 50 mm. The underside of the hindwing has a pattern of greenish blotches, which is characteristic of the Bath whites and easily identifies it from other pierids.

Sexes can be differentiated by markings on the forewing. The male is differentiated from the female by the markings on the upperside of the forewing. The apex of the forewing is black with white spots and lines. There is a black spot at the end of the cell. In the case of the female, there is an additional discal spot in 1b. The female also has an obscure row of terminal and marginal spots on the upper hindwing. 

18-6-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SOUTHERN GREEN STINK BUG (Nezara viridula)

Nezara viridula, commonly known as the southern green stink bug (USA), southern green shield bug (UK) or green vegetable bug (Australia and New Zealand), is a plant-feeding stink bug. Believed to have originated in Ethiopia, it can now be found across the world. Because of its preference for certain species of legumes, such as beans and soybeans, it is an economically important pest on such crops.

Nezara viridula is a cosmopolitan species, living in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australasia, and Europe between 45 degrees north and 45 degrees south. Its exact origin is unknown, but it is believed to have originated from the Ethiopia region of East Africa, from where it has spread around the world due to its strong flight and human transport along trade routes.

The adult males can reach a body length (from front to elytral apex) of about 12.1 millimetres (0.48 in), while females are bigger, reaching a size of about 13.1 millimetres (0.52 in). The body is usually bright green and shield-shaped and the eyes are usually reddish, but they may also be black. There is a row of three white spots on the scutellum. They differ from the similar green stink bug (Chinavia hilaris) by the shape of their scent gland openings, which are short and wide in N. viridula, and narrow and long in the green stink bug.

When ready to mate N. viridula produce 100 Hz vibrations with a "tymbal" composed of fused first and second terga (not to be confused with tymbal of cicadas) that allow bi-directional communication to any Nezara standing on the same plant so they could find each other. The female lays 30 to 130 eggs at a time, in the form of an egg mass glued firmly to the bottom of a leaf. The eggs are barrel-shaped with an opening on the top. The eggs take between 5 and 21 days to develop, depending on the temperature. The newborn nymphs gather near the empty eggs and do not feed until three days later, after the first moult. They moult five times before reaching maturity, increasing in size each time. Each instar stage lasts about a week, except for the last one which is a day longer. Up to four generations can develop in one year, with eggs developing into adults in as few as 35 days in mid-summer. Up until their third moult the nymphs aggregate together on the host plant; the purpose of this aggregation is probably pooling of chemical defenses against predators such as ants.

18-6-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Idaea cervantaria)

Small moth of the Geometridae family; It is distributed in southeastern France, the Iberian Peninsula and northwest Africa; present in the warm areas of the Iberian Peninsula.

Geometric shape, with the front wings ending in a sharp edge and the rear wings with a wide and rounded shape; gray background color, this gray can be darker, lighter or with an ocher tone; Two irregular lines are drawn on the wings, one proximal and one distal on the wing dorsum, a dark dot on each wing, a subterminal dark line formed by small black strokes, unlike other Idaea, which only have a subterminal dotted line; long ocher fimbriae.

It lives in dry and sunny places, rocky slopes.

I do not know the food plants for the larvae, but this photograph corresponds to an open area of ​​dryland crops, where trees and shrubs are scarce and grasses and other wild herbaceous plants are abundant.

They fly in one generation a year, the months of May to July.

15-6-2025 CULLERA CAMPO, VALENCIA - NORTHERN BANDED GROUNDLING (FEMALE) (Brachythemis impartita)

Brachythemis impartita, the Northern banded groundling, is a species of dragonfly, a skimmer from the family Libellulidae from central and northern Africa, its range extending into southern Europe and the Middle East. It was previously considered to be conspecific with B. leucosticta.

Brachythemis impartita has a pale cream pterostigma in both sexes and their eyes appear to be striped. The female has a buffy abdomen and thorax, males are darker and mature males can be dark blue to black on the abdomen and thorax. Males have bands on the outer wings from the node to just short of the pterostigma, this is paler in teneral individuals but darkens as the dragonfly matures. Where they overlap with B. leucosticta the males can be distinguished by the colour of the veins and the genital lobe, as well as by the ventral structure of segment 8. The females cannot yet be told apart. The length of this dragonfly is from 25 to 34 millimetres (0.98 to 1.34 in) and the span of the hindwings is 20 to 26 millimetres (0.79 to 1.02 in).

Brachythemis impartita is found from central Africa as far south as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania north through Africa and to the Mediterranean Sea. Its range also extends into the Middle East where it has been recorded from the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Cyprus and southern Anatolia. It has colonised southern Europe and was first recorded there in Portugal in 1957 but it is now also found in Spain, Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily and by 2015 in mainland Italy.

17-6-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata)

The Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata, is a modestly adorned yet charming small passerine bird belonging to the Old World flycatcher family. It is a migratory species, breeding across Europe and the Palearctic as far as Siberia, and spending the winter months in Africa and southwestern Asia. Despite its widespread presence, there is concern over its decline in certain areas.

Adult Spotted Flycatchers possess grey-brown upperparts and a somewhat pallid underbelly. Their crown and breast are streaked, which is the origin of their common name. They have short, black legs and a black bill shaped to suit their insectivorous diet. Juveniles can be distinguished by their browner plumage and the presence of spots on their upperparts.

These birds favor deciduous woodlands, parks, and gardens, particularly those with open spaces amidst trees.

The Spotted Flycatcher has a broad breeding range, extending from Europe to western Siberia and northwest Africa. During the non-breeding season, they migrate to southern Africa.

With an upright posture, these flycatchers are often seen hunting from prominent perches, darting out to snatch flying insects and frequently returning to the same spot.

The call of the Spotted Flycatcher is a soft, high-pitched, and slightly descending 'tssssseeeeeppppp'.

The Spotted Flycatcher constructs an open nest in a recess, often against a wall, and is amenable to using open-fronted nest boxes. Clutches typically consist of 4-6 eggs. Remarkably, they exhibit excellent egg recognition, a likely evolutionary response to past parasitism by the common cuckoo.

As aerial insectivores, Spotted Flycatchers feed on flying insects, which they catch in mid-air from their vantage points.

The IUCN currently lists the Spotted Flycatcher as Least Concern, although there are noted declines in some regions of its range.

16-6-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - ANGULAR ORBWEAVER (Araneus angulatus)

Araneus angulatus is a species of orb-weaving spiders found in the Palearctic realm. It resembles the European garden spider, Araneus diadematus, but has distinctive tubercles on its abdomen. The species was first described in Aranei Svecici in 1757, where it was the first species described, making Araneus angulatus the first scientific name of an animal that is still in use.

Araneus angulatus closely resembles the more frequently encountered European garden spider, Araneus diadematus, but can be distinguished by the presence of angular tubercles on the abdomen.

Araneus angulatus is found across a wide geographical range in the Palearctic realm. It is widespread in Europe, although rarer in Northern Europe. A. angulatus is rare in the United Kingdom, where it is restricted to areas near the South coast of England.

A. angulatus constructs a large orb web, suspended from bushes and trees, often with support lines leading to the ground. Unlike A. diadematus, the web of A. angulatus has no retreat, so the spider must sit in the centre of the web while it waits for prey. It detects prey items by vibrations they cause in the web, but has also been observed during a country fair, and reported to be "indifferent to crowds, music and fireworks".

15-6-2025 CULLERA CAMPO, VALENCIA - WOODCHAT SHRIKE (Lanius senator)

The Woodchat Shrike, Lanius senator, is a captivating bird, slightly larger than its cousin, the Red-backed Shrike. The male boasts a distinctive appearance with black and white upper parts and a rich chestnut crown, while the female and juveniles display a more subdued brown and white vermiculated plumage with buff underparts.

To identify the Woodchat Shrike, look for the male's striking black and white upper parts and chestnut crown. The female and young birds are less conspicuous with their vermiculated brown and white upper parts and buff underparts. The western Mediterranean race, L. s. badius, lacks the prominent white wing patches seen in other subspecies.

This species has a preference for open wooded areas with scattered trees, such as orchards, especially where the ground is bare or sandy.

The Woodchat Shrike breeds across southern Europe, the Middle East, and northwest Africa, and migrates to winter in tropical Africa. Its range spans from Portugal to Greece and from Mauritania to Libya, with occasional sightings as far north as Great Britain.

The Woodchat Shrike is known for its perching behaviour, often seen on exposed lookouts from where it swoops down or glides to capture its prey. It is also known to occasionally impale its prey on thorns, a behaviour typical of shrikes.

Breeding occurs from early May to mid-July. Both sexes contribute to nest building, which is typically situated in a tree. The clutch consists of 5-6 eggs, incubated mainly by the female, with fledglings cared for by both parents.

The diet of the Woodchat Shrike is primarily insectivorous, with beetles being a favoured choice. It employs a sit-and-wait hunting strategy from elevated perches and is known to dismember larger insects.

The Woodchat Shrike is currently classified as Near Threatened due to long-term population declines attributed to habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, hunting during migration, and other factors. Despite this, it has a large estimated population of 5.9-10 million individuals.

15-6-2025 CULLERA CAMPO, VALENCIA - ZITTING CISTICOLA (Cisticola juncidis)

The Zitting Cisticola, or Streaked Fantail Warbler, is a diminutive bird, measuring a mere 10 to 12 centimeters in length. Its upper parts are adorned with a brown plumage, intricately streaked with black, while its underparts remain a modest whitish hue. The tail is a noteworthy feature, broad and tipped with white, and is frequently flicked—a behavior that has inspired one of the bird's colloquial names.

To identify the Zitting Cisticola, look for its rufous rump and the absence of gold on the collar. The tail, brownish with white tips, is another distinguishing characteristic. Males, during the breeding season, exhibit less crown streaking and more pronounced back markings than females, though differences between sexes are generally subtle.

The Zitting Cisticola favors grasslands as its primary habitat, often found in proximity to bodies of water.

This species boasts a broad range, encompassing southern Europe, Africa (excluding deserts and rainforests), and southern Asia, extending to northern Australia. It is largely sedentary, though certain East Asian populations undertake migrations to warmer climes in winter.

These birds are predominantly insectivorous and may be observed in small flocks. The breeding season is timed with the rains, and in many regions, the Zitting Cisticola is known to produce two broods annually. Males display polygynous tendencies, though monogamous pairings are not uncommon. The male initiates nest construction within the grasses and performs a specialized display to attract females, who then complete the nest.

The male's breeding season is marked by a distinctive flight display, punctuated by a series of "zitting" calls reminiscent of the sound of scissors snipping.

Nests are artfully constructed with living leaves woven into a soft matrix of plant down, cobwebs, and grass. The structure is cup-shaped with an overhead canopy for camouflage. Females lay 3 to 6 eggs and are solely responsible for incubation, which lasts approximately 10 days. Multiple broods may be raised in a single season.

Their diet consists primarily of insects, which they forage for within their grassland habitats.

14-6-2025 TAVERNES PLAYA, VALENCIA - RED EARED SLIDER TERRAPIN

The red-eared slider or red-eared terrapin (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a subspecies of the pond slider (Trachemys scripta), a semiaquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. It is the most popular pet turtle in the United States, is also popular as a pet across the rest of the world, and is the most invasive turtle. It is the most commonly traded turtle in the world.

The red-eared slider is native from the Midwestern United States to northern Mexico, but has become established in other places because of pet releases, and has become invasive in many areas where it outcompetes native species. The red-eared slider is included in the list of the world's 100 most invasive species.

Invasive red-eared sliders cause negative impacts in the ecosystems they are introduced to because they have certain advantages over the native populations, such as a lower age at maturity, higher fecundity rates, and larger body size, which gives them a competitive advantage at basking and nesting sites, as well as when exploiting food resources. They also transmit diseases and displace the other turtle species with which they compete for food and breeding space.

Owing to their popularity as pets, red-eared sliders have been released or escaped into the wild in many parts of the world. This turtle is considered one of the world's worst invasive species. Feral populations are now found in Bermuda, Canada, Australia, Europe, Great Britain, South Africa, the Caribbean Islands, Israel, Bahrain, the Mariana Islands, Guam, Russia, and south- and far-east Asia. Within Great Britain, red-eared sliders have a wide distribution throughout England, Scotland, and Wales.

In Australia, it is illegal for members of the public to import, keep, trade, or release red-eared sliders, as they are regarded as an invasive species – see below. Their import has also been banned by the European Union as well as specific EU member countries. In 2015, Japan announced it was planning to ban the import of red-eared sliders, but it would probably not take effect until 2020.

Red-eared sliders do not hibernate, but actually brumate; while they become less active, they do occasionally rise to the surface for food or air. Brumation can occur to varying degrees. In the wild, red-eared sliders brumate over the winter at the bottoms of ponds or shallow lakes. They generally become inactive in October, when temperatures fall below 10 °C (50 °F). During this time, the turtles enter a state of sopor, during which they do not eat or defecate, they remain nearly motionless, and the frequency of their breathing falls. Individuals usually brumate under water, but they have also been found under banks and rocks, and in hollow stumps. In warmer winter climates, they can become active and come to the surface for basking. When the temperature begins to drop again, however, they quickly return to a brumation state. Sliders generally come up for food in early March to as late as the end of April.

14-6-2025 TAVERNES PLAYA, VALENCIA - FLORIDA RED BELLIED COOTER (Pseudemys nelsoni)

The Florida red-bellied cooter or Florida redbelly turtle (Pseudemys nelsoni) is a species of turtle in the family Emydidae.

The specific name, nelsoni, is in honor of American biologist George Nelson (born 1873).

P. nelsoni is native to Florida, and southern Georgia. Fossils of P. nelsoni have also been found along the coast of South Carolina from the Pleistocene Epoch, indicating that the historic range of this species used to extend farther north. Today, its northern counterpart, the Northern Red-bellied Cooter (Psuedemys rubriventris) occupies this region.

The Florida red-bellied cooter is mainly herbivorous, and can be found in nearly any type of aquatic habitat. It feeds on a variety of aquatic plants including waterweed (Vallisneria and Elodea), duckweed (Lemna and Wolffia), and arrowhead (Sagittaria) species. It has been documented consuming algae as well. Juveniles tend to primarily consume small insects. As juveniles age, they transition to a plant-dominated diet. It reaches particularly high densities in spring runs, and occasionally can be found in brackish water. It appears to have an intermediate salinity tolerance compared to true freshwater forms and the highly specialized terrapin (Malachemys). This species is active year-round and spends a large portion of the day basking on logs. It is noted for sometimes laying its eggs in the nest mounds of alligators. Sex is temperature-dependent with males being born at cooler temperatures and females being born at warmer temperatures with a pivotal temperature of about 28.5 °C (83.3 °F). The Florida red-bellied cooter is closely related to the Peninsula cooter (Pseudemys floridana) and can often be found basking on logs together.

The Florida red-bellied cooter can be distinguished from other similar turtles by its distinctive red-tinged plastron (belly) and two cusps (like teeth) on its upper beak. Like most turtles of the genus Pseudemys, this species is a fairly large river turtle. Straight-line carapace length in mature turtles can range from 20.3 to 37.5 cm (8.0 to 14.8 in).[9] Females, which average 30.5 cm (12.0 in) in carapace length and weigh 4 kg (8.8 lb), are noticeably larger than males, which are around 25 cm (9.8 in) and 1.8 kg (4.0 lb) in mass.

The Florida red-bellied cooter is commonly exported for consumption and the pet trade, with about 50% wild caught individuals and 50% captive bred.

Most of US export statistics (as collected by the World Chelonian Trust in 2002–2005) simply describe exported turtles by the genus, Pseudemys, without identifying the species. They are exported by the million, and are mostly farm-raised.

14-6-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PEARL MOTH (Dolicharthria bruguieralis)

Dolicharthria bruguieralis

Class: Insecta.

Order: Lepidoptera.

Superfamily: Pyraloidea.

Family: Crambidae.

Subfamily: Spilomelinae.

Dolicharthria bruguieralis is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It is found from France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Greece and Turkey, east to Japan and Taiwan. It is also found in Africa, including Morocco, Algeria and South Africa.

The wingspan is about 17 millimetres (0.67 in).

13-6-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BEEFLY (Amictus variegatus)

A dipteran of the Bombyliidae family . It is one of three species of this genus found on the Iberian Peninsula. The only one I've seen to date. Found in the Cuenca region.

It is small and very fragile in appearance, resembling a mosquito. It has large, sandy-colored eyes with dark areas near the forehead. It has a long proboscis, from which the antennae emerge, close together except for the last segment, where they separate. The rest of the proboscis has a coloration of varying shades of brown. These form three dark brown longitudinal bands on the back of the thorax and two interspersed grayish lines. The abdomen is brown with a darker longitudinal line, and the sides of each tergite are grayish.

Their larvae are parasitoids of other insects.

13-6-2025 MONTE CORONA, VLENCIA - PETITE WAVE MOTH

Scopula minorata is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1833. It is found in Africa south of the Sahara, the Arabian Peninsula and on the islands of the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, it is found in southern Europe. It can be distinguished from Scopula lactaria only by examination of its genitalia.

The wingspan is 15–20 millimetres (0.59–0.79 in).

Subspecies

Scopula minorata minorata

Scopula minorata corcularia (Rebel, 1894)

Scopula minorata ochroleucaria (Herrich-Schäffer, 1847)

Scopula minorata tripolitana (Sterneck, 1933)