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.

West Cambridge Site

Development at West Cambridge has been on-going since the 1960s and planning permission was granted in 1999. This is one of regular visits to the site as it changes over the years. Their vision was and is to build a world-class, well-connected research and development environment that benefits Cambridge, the region and the UK and to maintain high standards in environmental sustainability across the site and sustainable travel methods to and from the site. Certainly it is a vibrant development with plenty of wild-life areas.

 

Latest Batch of Garden Insects

I am still on a quest to record all the insects in my garden - sometimes interesting (!) photos of familiar species like these mating Sphaerophoria scripta and some new species like the bug Dicyphus epilobii.

Yesterday was our monthly Dragonfly and Butterfly count at Paxton Pits and, despite the windy weather , we ended up with reasonable numbers of both groups. Brown Argus are particularly common this year and good to catch a mating pair. Lots of Ruddy and Common Darters, Emerald (with blue on body and black stigma) and Willow Emerald (green with pale stigma) Spread wings, Brown and Migrant Hawkers, Common Damselflies and Variable mating in the Water Soldier area.

Paxton Insect Survey

 This German Wasp was one of the nearly 100 species that I recorded on Tuesday while surveying the Arable Fields at Paxton Pits. Other striking species were the Wasp Spider, Bishop's Mitre Shield Bug and Pea Weevil, Grasshoppers, Crickets and various flies.