Sunday
Mar112012

Bumblebee

A bumblebee, probably queen tree bumblebee, Bombus hypnorum (Hymenoptera: Apidae).  This species was first recorded in the UK in 2001 and is now quite common throughout England.

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading, UK, on 2012-03-10.

Saturday
Mar102012

Squirrel Skull

The skull of a grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) with severely overgrown incisor teeth, probably the result of malocclusion arising from damage to the lower incisors. This condition would have made it very difficult for this animal to feed and was likely the cause of its death.

Photo taken in the Wilderness, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2012-03-09.

Friday
Mar092012

Muscid Fly

A female Muscid fly, probably Muscina prolapsa (Diptera: Muscidae).  Note the orange bases to the antennae.

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2009-05-24.

Thursday
Mar082012

Another Tachinid Fly

A Tachinid fly, either Exorista rustica (Diptera: Tachinidae) or a member of the Exorista rustica group of species.  Identification by Chris Raper here.

Photos taken Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-08-01.

Wednesday
Mar072012

Tachinid Fly

A Tachinid fly, probably a female Solieria sp (Diptera: Tachinidae).  Identification confirmed by Chris Raper here.

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-07-22.