During our twelve days in SW Bulgaria in addition to the birds and amazing range of Butterfly species, we also saw some very interesting moths, dragonflies and other insects. The scenery wasn’t bad either. Our bespoke trip was arranged by The British-Bulgarian Society and Balkania Travel, the same company we used back in 2012. They specialise in a range of holiday experiences to Bulgaria, including bespoke Butterfly Trips and they will tailor a trip to suit individual needs. See http://www.b-bs.org.uk I would thoroughly recommend them. Please feel free to contact me if you need information.
The beautiful Pirin Mountains from the village of Dobarsko – Tony Davison©
Flower rich Butterfly Meadows – Rila Mountains – Tony Davison©
The Rila Mountain Foothills and Butterfly Meadows – Tony Davsion©
The Rila Mountain National Park – Tony Davison©
Osogovo Planina and Limestone Valley – Tony Davison©
Osogovo Planina – Tony Davison©
To follow a selection of Day Flying Moths we saw whilst looking for Butterflies.
Thyris fenestrela (Pug Moth) – Tony Davison©
Synaphe moldavica (A pyralid species) – Rila Mountains – Tony Davison©
Transparent Burnet – Zygaena purpuralis – Tony Davison©
Transparent Burnet – Zygaena purpuralis – Tony Davison©
Slender Burnet – Zygaena loti – Tony Davison© – This species is not found in the British Isles.
Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet – Zygaena lonicerae – Tony Davison©
Isle of Wight Wave – Idaea humiliata – Tony Davison©
Black-veined Moth – Siona lineata – Tony Davison©
Forester – Adscita statices – Tony Davison©
Lathronympha strigana – Pirin Mountains – Tony Davison©
To follow a few of the Dragonflies we discovered.
Balkan Goldenring – Cordulegaster heros – Osogovo Mountains – Tony Davison©
Southern Skimmer – male – Orthetrum brunneum – Osogovo Mountains – Tony Davison©
Southern Skimmer – male – Orthetrum brunneum – Osogovo Mountains – Tony Davison©
Green-eyed Hooktail – Onychogomphus forcipatus – Osogovo Mountains – Tony Davison©
Green-eyed Hooktail – Onychogomphus forcipatus – Osogovo Mountains – Tony Davison©
Blue-eyed Hooktail – Onychogomphus uncatus – Osogovo Mountains – Tony Davison©
Common Clubtail – Gomphus vulgatissimus – Osogovo Mountains – Tony Davison©
To follow some of the other insects we saw.
Libelloides macoronius – Neuropteran Owlfly – Osogovo Mountains – Tony Davison©
Bulgarian May Beetle – Osogovo Mountains – Tony Davison©
Aronia moschata – Musk Beetle – Dobrostan, Rila Mountain Foothills – Tony Davison©
Poecilimon thoracicus – Rila Mountains – Tony Davison©
Tettigonia balcanica – Rila Mountains – Tony Davison© – This is a new species of Bulgarian grasshopper currently being worked on and in “press” by Bulgarian specialists.
The only mammal that was good enough to be photographed.
European Souslik – Belmeken Mountains – Tony Davison© – Above three images
The Road-side stalls sold plenty of this stuff.
The final product of many Bees – Mountain Market – Rila Mountains – Tony Davison©
Some great stuff. i really like the crickets.