Larks Rise Insects 1

A few insects from the trip to Lark Rise Farm. As it was fairly cool and rain threatened during the latter part of the visit, the butterflies were quite docile - here a Comma, Large Skipper, Marbled White, Green Veined White and Small White. Lots of Beetles, Flies and Lacewing

Lark Rise Farm Barton

Spent a very enjoyable morning, under glowering skies, 'bug' hunting around the hedgerows at Lark rise Farm (Countryside Restoration Trust). Delighted to find a couple of very young Wasp Spiders as well as a plethora of Flies, Shieldbugs and Frog hoppers. More insects to follow.

 

Looking to the Skies Versus Bee Mimics

I took a circular walk around Lark Rise Farm in Barton, an organic farm run by the Countryside Restoration Trust, with the view dominated by the Radio Telescopes at Lord's Bridge quivering in the heat haze. However, I spent my time looking downward at the insect life and became aware of a number of Hoverfly mimics of the Bumblebee species (shown in pairs with hoverfly on the left). There are some wonderful meadows there - how English Meadows should look with lots of Damselflies and Banded Demoiselles.

Approach with Caution

In late summer, the predominate hedgerow invertebrates are spiders of all colours and form. Here a pair of Garden Cross spiders - unusually the male on the right is not much smaller than the female but he is still approaching very tentatively. Many males get regarded as prey and killed an eaten even before mating - seems a bit contrary to species survival though certainly ensures only the 'most-cautious' genes get passed on. The colony of Wasp spiders local to us is still doing well - hopefully soon time for the female to build their cocoon nest and lay eggs.

 

Tuesday's Visit to Barton

Tuesday was a better day weatherwise as it stayed dry till we had finished in the afternoon. The wind was just right to hold the Emperor Dragonflies in a hover so I got a few flight shots. Otherwise two favourite butterflies the Brown Argus and the Small Copper, a Long-winged Cone-head, a Straw Dot Moth and Meredith's froglet friends.

Monday's Visit to Barton

With an inclement forecast for Tuesday, I ended up running two trips to Barton for CCC Members to photograph the abundant wildlife there but there was something new to see with every visit (and, of course, it rained on Monday instead!). Here convergent evolution with a Hover fly (Chrysotoxum) and a Conopid fly (Leopoldius) both mimicing wasp species and a Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) that has a clear bat image on its thorax. At the pools, it was a bit windy for lots of flying but added Black-tailed Skimmer and Ruddy Darter to species photos.