Bloody-nosed Beetle

Whilst out on Black Down on the Mendips this morning I found this beetle. After some trouble I eventually got identified as Bloody-nosed Beetle. A common beetle that is found in the vicinity of Bedstraws. Whilst out there were plenty of Common Heath and Bilberry Tortrix were on the wing.

Bloody-nosed Beetle

Lobesia littoralis

I found this little moth at the end of Sand Point on 27th June which turned out to be Lobesia littoralis. This species can be found in the vicinity of Thrift which is present on Sand Point. The last record for the site was some 13 years ago.

Lobesia littoralis

Mendip mothing

Another good trapping session on the Mendip Hills on Friday 13th including 3 new macro's:

Map-winged Swift

Neofaculta ericetella

Denticulate Leatherbug

Found this little fella on the patch today. One of the squash bugs that feed on Black Meddick a Denticulate leatherbug Coriomeris denticulatus

Denticulate leatherbug Coriomeris denticulatus

Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth

A big surprise to find Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth on the patch this morning 6th June. It's never been recorded before. The larval foodplant is Devil's-bit Scabious and Field Scabious but I've only found Small Scabious. It was nectaring on Red Valerian and was quite approachable to around 5 feet.

Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth

Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth

Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth

Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth