Dioctria rufipes

It took a little while to figure out the ID of this. Clinched in the end by looking through my collection of photos from last year.

Dioctria rufipes

Crepidodera aurea 30th May 2014

I found this beetle on the bark of White Poplar this morning at Sand Point, Somerset so decided to have a go at identifying it. The conclusion was Crepidodera aurea. The dark hind femur contrasting with the orange tarsus and tibia was the clue that led to it being Crepidodera species.

Crepidodera aurea

Spurge Hawk-moth

Just purchased some Spurge Hawk-moth pupae from the internet two of which emerged today. I'm never likely to see this species in the wild hence the reason for the purchase.

Spurge Hawk-moth

Spurge Hawk-moth

Eulophidae sp

Out in the garden this morning I came across this little insect on a bramble leaf. Intrigued by it's branched antennae I investigated further and concluded that it may be one of the Eulophidae.

Solieria sp. pacifica?

After some trouble this diptera eventually got narrowed down to a Solieria sp. The most likely is the Solieria pacifica.
Looking at "Tachinid Flies" by Robert Belshaw it would seem that these flies are indistinguishable as females and with difficulty in the males. S.pacifica is separated by facial bristles and tarsal claws. I think this is a female so ID perhaps not achievable.

Solieria pacifica?

Solieria pacifica?

Didea fasciata

A new hoverfly Didea fasciata found in the garden on 26th May. There was also a Baccha elongata but sadly I didn't have my camera with me.

Didea fasciata

Amblyteles armatorius?

Ichneumon wasps are notorious for being difficult to identify but this one does look a dead ringer for Amblyteles armatorius. Found patrolling the garden yesterday it was still present today so I netted it, cooled it down ready for a photo shoot.

Amblyteles armatorius?

Amblyteles armatorius?