The amazing wildlife at Fallin Bing

Last week, Paul and I went to visit the bing to get some photos and video footage of some of the wildlife that use the site. As soon as we got to the site we could see lots of butterflies and bees flying around but also hundreds and hundreds of 6 spot burnet moths (Zygaena filipendulae). There were so many of them that you had to be really careful were you stood and some flowers were almost drooping with the weight of them!

Creeping thistle covered with feeding 6 spot burnet moths with some Red soldier beetles.

6 spot burnet moths all over a Spear thistle

The 6 spot burnet moth is the most common of Britain’s day flying moths and can be seen flying from June to August. Caterpillars of the moth feed on Common bird’s foot trefoil which is plentiful at the bing. The adults feed on the flowers of a variety of species including Vipers bugloss, thistles, knapweed and scabious.

There were also hundreds of Red soldier beetles (Rhagonycha fulva) all over the Bing. These beetles are predatory and they also feed on plant pollen. They are typically found on Umbellifers such as Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) but are also found on thistles (as seen in the photo above).
 

There were lots of Red soldier beetles mating on this Hogweed

This year appears to be a really good year for 6 spot burnet moths, Red soldier beetles and also some other species of butterfly and bumblebees. Visit Fallin today to explore the bing and see what cool bugs are around!