Sunday
Aug142011

Sawfly

From back in the springtime: a sawfly, probably Tenthredo distinguenda (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), judging from the banding pattern on its abdomen.

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK on 2011-04-19.

Saturday
Aug132011

Hoverfly

Hoverfly Xylota sylvarum (Diptera: Syrphidae), a male.  Similar in size and behaviour to the more common Xylota segnis but with yellow at the tail end of the abdomen, instead of at the front end.

Photos taken in the Wilderness, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-08-12.

Friday
Aug122011

Tephritid Flies

A pair of Chaetostomella cylindrica (Diptera: Tephritidae) mating on knapweed (Centaurea sp).

Photos taken in the Wilderness, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-08-09.

Thursday
Aug112011

Tachinid Fly

My second Phasia hemiptera (Diptera: Tachinidae) of the year.  Again a male, only a few tens of metres from where I saw my previous one.

Photos taken in Chazey Wood, near Caversham, UK, on 2011-08-10.

Wednesday
Aug102011

Hoverfly

Bumble bee mimic hoverfly Eristalis intricarius = Eristalis intricaria (Diptera: Syrphidae), a male.

From the side you can see the base of the hind tibia is pale, which distinguishes this species from Merodon equestris, which can look similar.

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-08-09.