Deraeocoris ruber

Yesterday I arrived on the patch and immediately found a mirid bug. Being quite a variable species it took a while to sort it out but came up with the ID of Deraeocoris ruber. I found and immature recently and not seen the adult so was pleased to have the set.

Deraeocoris ruber nymph

Deraeocoris ruber adult

Leucozona laternaria

I took a trip to Weston Woods this morning before going to Sand Point and bumped into a new hoverfly Leucozona laternaria. This one is a woodland species that is often found on umbellifers. I was hoping for White-letter Hairstreak but couldn't find any but this new hover made it worth the trip. Along the track to the water tower I could see Hedge Woundwort and Enchanter's Nightshade

Leucozona laternaria

Leucozona laternaria

Enchanter's Nightshade

Berrow LNR 12th July

I joined some fellow moth trappers for a night at Berrow LNR. Temperatures were pretty good with a light onshore wind. Here are some of my highlights from last night.

Shore Wainscot

Epiblema foenella

Eulamprotes wilkella - f.tarquiniella

Marasmarcha lunaedactyla

Moth larvae

I've been collecting willow leaves for the Eyed Hawkmoths I've been rearing and tonight I spotted a large larva amongst the willow leaves. Best match I can find is Pale Prominent. The other I'm rearing is Brimstone Moth. It initially came from a session with the beating tray and was too small to ID but now it clearly this species.

Brimstone Moth larva

Pale Prominent larva

Nemotelus pantherinus

Whilst walking back to the car I saw a couple of groups of flies over the saltmarsh so decided to investigate. One land on some grass allowing photos. I netted another to bring home in case the photos were inconclusive. I managed to track down to the Stratiomyidae family. Being a distinctive fly it didn't take too long to find out which one it was. Fortunately there aren't any identical flies that I can see so the one in the pot can go.

Nemotelus pantherinus

Early July moth trapping in Sand Bay

The recent warm spell has brought out plenty of moths and with the wind turning NE made it a little easier to trap on the patch. Here's a couple of shots of recent catches.

Scrobipalpa nitentella

Neosphaleroptera nubilana

Schoenobius gigantella

Red-necked Footman

Moth trap results from 7th July

Mixed results from last night with Sand Point average and Sand Bay much better. Here's some snaps from last nights catch, the highligts are on the 2013 list linked at the top of the page.

Round-winged Muslin

Anarsia spartiella

Spatalistis bifasciana

Silky Wainscot