Red in Proboscis and Claw, Insects and Spiders May 15th Alonissos Greece

We saw and photographed quite a variety of insect and spider life on Monday in Alonissos, much of it intent on killing and eating the rest. The Assassin bug, Rhynocoris iracundus, was everywhere on the bushes - here sucking the body content of a fly larger than itself. The Robber Fly has picked on the same fly species to kill and devour (one 50mm macro shot, other 560mm distant shot). Even the Beeflies are not that innocent as they parasitize Cuckoo Wasps laying their eggs in the nests of the wasps.
I was pleased to see two spectacular day flying moths the Fiery Clearwing (Pyropteron chrysidformis) and Hummingbird Hawkmoth - very difficult to photograph.
Lots of different Crab spiders and other spiders - not yet identified.
The other commonest group were Beetles - the last image the attactive Purpuricenus budensis

Sunrise, Church on the Cliffs and Bee Orchids, Alonissos, Greece

Our fourth day in Alonissos proved the best weather of the trip - sunny with virtually no wind so around 33 degrees which delighted the bugs (to follow). The sunrise was also the only really colourful one from the hotel balcony. Our morning visit was to Ag. Anargiri, a small church set in pinewoods on the cliffs. I was delighted to find some bee orchids - the closest I can find for images on the web is Heldreich's Bee Orchid (Ophrys heldreichii). Close ups of  Blackstonia perfoliata and Centuary species. Finally, a well-camouflaged lizard.

Beaches, Poppies, Windmill and Miniature Church - Essence of Alonnisos, Greece

Sunday (14th May) was a hot sunny day (33 degrees) in Alonnisos so our first stops were at two beaches - first Jane's favourite Leftos Gialos (no images) where we were shown a Horned viper that the owner had killed and had a quick paddle (insects from there in next entry). We then went down to Chrisi Milia - hopefully for lunch but no luck with everything closed so it was back to Patitiri for a meal before spending the afternoon on the headland above the Old Town and then down to the beach at Vrisitsa with its photogenic windmill. Final shots from morning of the Hotel Atrium (definitely recommended) where we stayed with the small attached church.

Insects Enjoying the 36 Degrees in Alonnissos Greece

The heat of 13th May certainly brought out the various spiders and insects. My favourites were the Jumping spider, Philaeus chrysops, the Robber fly with prey, Bee Fly in flight  and the Clearwing Moth (ID to follow)

 

36 Degrees in Alonnisos, Greece and Overcast

The day started with a soft dawn leading to a very hot day in this Greek Island on the 13th May. We spent the morning on the old Donkey Path that leads from the Old Town (damaged in an earthquake in the 1960s) to the new port and town. Insect images to follow as this was our main focus. We then went to Steni Vala, a beautiful bay for lunch - you can see how crowded it is with our car the only one parked. Following this we attempted to find the lake marked on the map but after a number of 'off-road' excursions we ended up at Geraka Bay - definitely the end of the road. A few scenic shots and also the two Lizards seen - one the common Wall Lizard but not sure of other found in the pine woods