(Attempts at) Identifying Swedish Fauna and Flora

My name is Pixie and I'm a Biology student in Sweden. This is a blog aimed to help me learn more about different species that call Sweden home. All pictures on this blog have been taken by me and may not be used without my permission. While I'm quite confident in what I post here, I'm still an amateur so if you find a mistake or have any suggestions, feel free to send me a message. var dc_AdLinkColor = 'blue' ; var dc_PublisherID = 233903 ;

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A White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum, Swedish: Ljus Jordhumla) busy at work.

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Scientific Name: Philaenus spumarius English Name: Common or Meadow Froghopper Swedish Name: Allmän Spottstrit

A widespread species of Froghoppers, this one can be found throughout most of Europe, North Africa, and Asia. It has been introduced to North America. Appearance of individuals vary- as much as twenty different colours are known- and lighter or darker markings may differ. The female is larger than the male in size.

Both their scientific and Swedish names are derived from their foam nests. The Latin name may be translated into sparkle or foam lover, whilst the Swedish word Spott means spit, since the foam can look like saliva. In English, it is sometimes referred to as a Meadow Spittle Bug for the same reason.

Froghoppers are well-known for their amazing jumping or “hopping” abilities, as some can jump over 70 cm high.

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A close up of the Ringlet butterfly (Aphantopus hyperantus; Luktgräsfjäril in Swedish).

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Scientific Name:Aphantopus hyperantus English Name: Ringlet Swedish Name: Luktgräsfjäril

The Ringlet is a Nymphalid that can be found throughout Europe, North Africa, and temperate regions of Asia. It is generally brown in colour, with yellow-rimmed eyespots. 

The nocturnal larva feed on a variety of grasses.

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**Tunisian Edition!** Scientific Name: Athene noctua desertae English Name: (North African) Little Owl Swedish Name: (Nord Afrikanska) Minervauggla Arabic Name: بومة صغيرة (translit.: booma saghira)

The little owl can be found in the warmer climates around the world, including Europe, Asia, and North Africa. There are many subspecies, and the one pictures above is A. n. desertae, the North African variant.

This subspecies is generally paler than others. It has speckled brown and white feathers, yellow eyes, and white feathers on its face resembling eyebrows. Its genus name, Athene, comes from the fact that the Little Owl was considered sacred to the Greek goddess Athena. The Swedish name, Minervaugglan (lit. Minerva Owl) comes from Athena's Roman counterpart, Minerva.

These owls live for about three years in the wild. Unlike most owls, which are nocturnal, the Little Owl can be seen perched in day time due to its partly diurnal nature.

(Photo Taken in Sidi Toui National Park, Tataouine) Thank you, Vlad Rudovsky, for helping me with the ID!

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You guys are all wonderful for sticking with me through thick and thin. I have been doing some field work in Tunisia, so you'll get a lot of lovely new pictures and facts from a completely different part of the world! I'll be updating soon, I promise!

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Scientific Name: Odezia atrata English Name: Chimney Sweeper Swedish Name: Sotmätare 

The Chimney Sweeper is a black butterfly with white wing tips that can be found throughout parts of Europe (and even parts of Asia). The larva feed on members of the Apiaceae family (carrot and parsley family), and the adults can be seen in June and July- especially on warm, sunny days.

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Red Common Cowslip (Primula veris, in Swedish:Gullviva), found in Västernorrland county.

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Scientific Name: Melampyrum sylvaticum English Name: Small Cow-Wheat Swedish Name: Skogskovall

In comparison to M. pratense, which has yellow and white flowers, the small cow-wheat has completely yellow (and smaller) flowers. The plant can be found throughout Sweden and prefers open, moist, and nutrient-rich forests.

The small cow-wheat seed is dispersed by insects, primarily ants. Read more here: x.

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Scientific Name: Allium x proliferum English Name: Tree or Egyptian Onion Swedish Name: Luftlök

As opposed to the common onion (Allium cepa), the Tree Onion produces little bulblets instead of flowers at the top of its stalks. It is a hybrid species, between the A. cepa and A. fistulosum (Welsh Onion).

The Tree Onion cannot be found in the wild in Sweden, but has been cultivated for a long time. It's believed to have medicinal effects, such as helping digestion, curing insomnia and other sleeping problems, and increasing immunity to the common cold.

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Scientific Name: Endromis versicolora English Name: Kentish Glory Swedish Name: Skäckspinnare 

The Kentish Glory is a moth in the Endromidae family that is found in parts of Europe. In Sweden, it is quite common and can be found in all regions except the very north. The female can be seen in the first picture and is joined by a male (the darker one with thicker antenna) in the second picture.

This moth feeds mostly on birch, linden, and alder species. 

Thanks to Paxon (@rhamphotheca) for helping me identify this species!

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Scientific Name: Anemone hepatica or Hepatica nobilis English Name: Common Hepatica Swedish Name: Blåsippa

This flowering plant is an early bloomer- sometimes as early as just after snow melt in early spring. It’s found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Closer to home, it can be found in the southern and middle parts of Scandinavia as well as the southern part of Finland.

The flower is often a light blue to purple in colour, although it can also be reddish violet or, rarely, white. It’s a protected species in several Swedish regions. 

In Sweden, the Common Hepatica is a symbol for several political parties.

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Note: the first picture is going to be printed on postcards. If you’re interested, there are a few copies still available for 5 dollars plus shipping (one dollar will go to help out people in the Philippines). Let me know if you’re interested!

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Close up of the leaves of a Herb Paris plant (Paris quadrifolia, in Swedish: Ormbär).

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Scientific Name: Muscari botryoides English Name: Grape Hyacinth Swedish Name: Pärlhyacint

The Grape Hyacinth (called Pearl Hyacinth in Swedish) is a bulbed perennial plant that has become naturalized in Sweden. It often produces blue or white flowers, but sometimes even a rarer pink variant can be found. They are commonly used as gardening plants, from which they have escaped and become naturalized throughout the middle and southern parts of the country.

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Close up of the fruit of a Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia, in Swedish: Ormbär). 

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Scientific Name: Impatiens glandulifera English Name: Indian Balsam Swedish Name: Jättebalsamin

The Indian Balsam is a naturalized plant that is native to the Himalayas, but has been introduced via human activity to many places in the Northern Hemisphere. They are considered invasive species and eradication methods are applied in some countries, Sweden included.

The plant can grow up to two meters high and has dark pink to light pink petals. Green seed pods are produced and when mature, even the slightest tough can cause the pods to burst, releasing the seeds- hence the epithet impatiens, meaning impatient.

It is found in many parts of Sweden, especially where there is moist soil. 

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Scientific Name: Echium vulgare English Name: Viper's Bugloss or Blueweed Swedish Name: Blåeld

The Blueweed is a flowering plant native to parts of Eurasia, but has become naturalized in North America. They have vibrant blue flowers that start off pink when young, and stamen filaments that are red, producing a stark contrast against the blue petals. 

It can be found in most parts of Sweden, especially in well built up areas. In Swedish, the name translates to 'blue fire'.