Sloe Bug

A sloe bug, Dolycoris baccarum (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

Photo taken in the Wilderness, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-11-12.

Another Hoverfly

A hoverfly, probably Helophilus pendulus (Diptera: Syrphidae).  Characteristics of this species are the dark distal third of the hind tibiae and the dark stripe down the middle of the face.

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-09-08.

Hoverfly

A female hoverfly, probably Melanostoma scalare (Diptera: Syrphidae).

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK on 2010-09-08.

Superb Starling

A superb starling, Lamprotornis superbus (= Spreo suberbus), native to East Africa.

Photo taken in London Zoo on 2008-03-15.

Bluebottle Fly

From late summer a couple of years ago: a female bluebottle fly, probably Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae).  In C. vicina the lower part of the face is reddish, and the spiracle just behind the eyes (on each side of the thorax) is orange.  In C. vomitoria, which is also common, the lower park of the face is whiter, the spiracle just behind the eyes darker, and the 'chin' sports a bright orange 'beard'.

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-08-22.