Thursday
Feb162012

Hoverfly

A female hoverfly from a couple of years ago: a Syrphus sp, probably Syrphus vitripennis (Diptera: Syrphidae).  The mainly black hind femur distinguishes the females of this species from those of S. ribesii and S. rectus.  The lack of hairs on the eyes distinguishes this species from S. torvus.  Syrphus males are harder to distinguish from photos.

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-06-09.

Wednesday
Feb152012

Spider

From midwinter two years ago: a spider on the sill of our living room window, probably a Nigma Walckenaeri (Arachnida, Araneae: Dictynidae).

Photo taken in Reading, UK, on 2010-01-27.

Tuesday
Feb142012

Tachinid Fly

From late summer two years ago: Tachinid fly Tachina fera (Diptera: Tachinidae).  This individual must have been particularly docile to have come onto my finger.  Normally they fly off well before I get this close.

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

Monday
Feb132012

Hoverfly

 

A female hoverfly, Dasysyrphus albostriatus (Diptera: Syrphidae) on a knapweed flower (Centaurea sp).

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

Sunday
Feb122012

Cup Fungus

A white cup fungus, probably a Peziza sp, growing on a decaying log.

Note the short stalk on the cup to the right in the following photo:

Photos taken in the Wilderness, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-08-17.