Tipula lateralis

Tipula lateralis is a common crane fly but how many of us have taken the time to identify one down to species level eliminating all other candidates? I was faced with one in the moth trap this morning and set about confirming it's identity. The first step is to confirm the tipulinae group: This can be confirmed by wing vein Sc ending in R, long palpi, spurs on tibiae and 13 segments on the antennae. Tipula's are then confirmed by wing venation and body markings.

Tipula lateralis

Tipula lateralis

Tipula lateralis

Tipula lateralis

Tachina grossa

Very impressed with this diptera. I thought it was a chafer at first but it turned out to be Tachina grossa

Tachina grossa

Volucella zonaria

My first was in the garden which managed to escape a photo call after being trapped in the garden shed but yesterday I found another in a nearby park.

Volucella zonaria

Ctenophora ornata

This impressive crane fly was found in several moth traps in the New Forest in July.

Ctenophora ornata

Dark Giant Horsefly Tabanus sudeticus

This huge diptera flew into the moth trap one night whilst trapping in Somerset. Looks very like Dark Giant Horsefly Tabanus sudeticus.

Dark Giant Horsefly Tabanus sudeticus

Ypsolopha parenthesella

A new moth for me from a trapping session on 7th August

Ypsolopha parenthesella

Small Red Damselfly

Small Red Damselfly  Ceriagrion tenellum found in Hampshire in June.

Small Red Damselfly  Ceriagrion tenellum

Viper's Bugloss

Viper's Bugloss Echium vulgare from Wiltshire in June.

Viper's Bugloss Echium vulgare