Most of my rose bushes, especially the wild dog rose shoots, are full of Sawfly larvae now able to thrive as the various tits and other small birds have fledged. Here two different species. Yesterday was a mix of sun and showers gradually getting warmer throughout the day - ideal for insect hunting and for cleaning mouthparts as this Rhingia campestris shows - amazing how it can fold that back into the rostrum. Still trying to get that 'perfect' flower spider image
Showing posts with label caterpillar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label caterpillar. Show all posts
Saturday, September 2, 2023
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Sand Wasp Versus Caterpillar
The Sand Wasp, Ammophila sabulosa, preys on caterpillars (here Silver Y caterpillar) which it paralyses, takes to a pre-dug hole and places in the burrow laying an egg on it. The egg hatches and the larva feeds on the caterpillar. Carrying such a large prey is no mean feat especially over rough vegetation. When it reached the hole an amusing sequence occurred as it attempted to push the larva into the hole (like threading a needle with a floppy piece of cotton) but eventually worked out it is better to go down the hole and drag it in.
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Sharpenhoe - Other Insects
I went hunting for these Thistle Gall flies having been fascinated on a previous visit by their iridescent eyes and bright orange antennae and mouthparts. They were joined during our RPS visit by a host of other species
Sunday, August 7, 2022
Wicken Fen (NT) in the Summer
An attempt to show the essence of Wicken Fen on a sunny day. The stars are the White Water lillies at their best in all the Lodes. Large numbers of Willow Emerald Damselflies and Ruddy Darters as well as larger species such as Emperor and Brown Hawker - too fast to capture. Birdlife fairly limited and the heat produced too much haze for clear shots across the water. Common Blue and Argos Brown butterflies photographed
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