I came across this insect, about 3cm long, with a distinctive humming sound while airborne. It was not like any butterfly I've ever seen.
Patricia McNulty, Kilasser, Co Mayo
It was a hummingbird hawkmoth. Noreen Lyons of Portumna, Co Galway sent the photograph.
Holly (6) found yet another strange worm, also on the beach near Robswall. I looked online and I think it's a sea mouse. It has a lovely rainbow sheen.
Noeleen Smyth, Swords, Co Dublin
![Sea mouse worm](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/V7UMCGQHD7BAZ2LHZBXFDRB3FQ.jpg?auth=7aaf94af934081dc3009ad622faebef3f470b8b15f4c4e1241c897e44cbe64ff&width=800&height=530)
Yes, it is a sea mouse.
This creature, which I think is a spider, was on the wall outside our house.
Mary Anne Fermoy, Kilmovee, Co Mayo
![Cucumber green spider](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/V7ECPOW27R75KSABD5BK3EBM6M.jpg?auth=821276dd39d989ee0ecb4f28ac4ec20d3182763cfcc1b352f971b9fda8f54b7f&width=800&height=450)
It’s the cucumber green spider, one of the smallest of the orb web spiders.
I found this in my garden hanging on the fence next to the pond. I don't know why it's empty. Is it a cicada or a locust?
Linda Quinlan, Blackrock, Co Dublin
![Dragonfly larva case](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/5KV4EZL6T5KXT63VTIUOTZ36XA.jpg?auth=d1a1b3e151a440457e8ee2c0b51dffded666c2d4a0ab1079d862a012d0dbc5d5&width=800&height=719)
It’s the empty larva case of a dragonfly.
This wildflower was growing at the edge of the bog in Cloghane, Co Kerry.
Paul Johnston, Brandon, Co Kerry
![Bog bean wildflower](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/6KPGKNYWKGFQ4SCTXIMS56LQSI.jpg?auth=76f95ee94150dd7fc24979ef3c1242b51de3c69e978081d67f6b85f6addcfcf6&width=800&height=820)
Bogbean is a perennial that grows in bogs and fens.
Our dog pulled a ball of thorns from the hedge recently. We observed it for a while and gradually the thorns unfurled to reveal this lovely hedgehog. We returned him to the hedge and took the dog away.
The Kellys, Clontibret, Co Monaghan
![Hedgehog](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/DKW2O2DZGLY7WYUCJIZDGUFR5M.jpg?auth=f0d600ca9c68d06fdc81c971eba3baa36856531bc3a2bb9aa9492abf20120977&width=800&height=666)
Should these mating damselflies not be the same colour?
Barbara Browne, Knockmore, Co Mayo
![Damselflies](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/7DFYUIQFXC22RODRAVUNVE4QXU.jpg?auth=665321cbea638ce4513b34b1aa988bf380176c3fa013ead6bff8a04b4bc76348&width=800&height=532)
The male common bluet has a pattern of sky blue and black; the females have black with either blue, green or brown markings.
This gorgeous little butterfly was resting on the wall of my house.
Geraldine Molloy, Achill, Co Mayo
![Common blue butterfly](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/SLLFTHYH2UPYBWNUFI4DO5JDRY.jpg?auth=45c06ee0937612bc197fd783ab4f6a957ba50243e7f47d7076265c2836bf2d15&width=800&height=475)
It’s the common blue butterfly. When open its wings are blue.
[ viney@anu.ie ]