Bugs Galore

Yesterday's warm moist air brought a lot of the insects to surface including a very large number of different species of plant-sucking bugs. This Mullein seed head turned out to be the equivalent of a high-rise building in a densely populated city area with at least eight Nereis bugs in the frame with the Corizus bug. Using a macro lens or a hand-held magnifying lens, it is possible to distinguish some of the very similar looking species as in image 3 and 4. The Lacewing larva and Stenocranus plant hopper are two of my favourites of the session along with the last image - a Hornet taking a wasp from ivy flowers. Id sheet at end.

May 3rd Garden Insects

Some insects from the garden yesterday when the temperatures were still high - very different feel today with a cold breeze!! There were several Red Damselflies prospecting around the pond but I didn't see any paired up yet. The Hornet Queen was a very impressive insect - although I am happy for her to nest ion my log pile, it is a bit close to the bungalow and right next to where I park the car so hopefully she will have found a quieter spot. The Spotted Lacewing (no.3), Tachycixius pilosus, is a new one for the garden list and good to see most of the Bee hotels being used.

Encounters at Paxton Pits

Today I helped with a Guided Walk at Paxton for U3A Sawston Bird Group - lots to see including various insects such as this Hornet, which I couldn't get a clear view of through the leaves but this has added a pictorial vignette, which I like. Also shown Variable and Common Damselflies, Craneflies, Scorpion Flies, a Grizzled Skipper and also lots of birds including the final very confiding Dunnock. 

Paxton Insects and Fungi

The Hornets are still busy at their nest in an old tree trunk at Paxton. I took one or two close-ups but decided discretion was the better option on a warm day when they were very active. It was UK Fungus Day yesterday (World Fungus week from 4th) and Hunts Fungi Group led our Annual survey of Rory's wood area and listed 40 different species - some were collected to check their ID. 

Diversity in Garden Insects

The diversity of insects even in a relatively small garden is huge. Here two families -  Bees and Wasps and Hoverflies. The Hornet is our largest visitor to the garden - at the moment enjoying rotting fruit, with the Lasioglossum bees some of the smallest (here inside a single floret of Ragwort). The Hoverflies have all types of mimics including the Hornet mimic Volucella zonaria