Oak Galls

From 2 years ago: a pair of galls on an oak tree.

The green, spiny one is a hedgehog gall which is home to one or more females of the asexual generation of the wasp Andricus lucidus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae).

The brown, spherical one is a cola nut gall which was home to a single female of the asexual generation of the wasp Andricus lignicola = Andricus lignicolus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae).  The small hole in its surface is probably where the adult wasp emerged.  The marble gall is similar to the cola nut gall but lacks the brown flakes on its surface.

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2009-09-24.

Pink Mushrooms

What I think are wrinkled peach mushrooms, Rhodotus palmatus, growing on a decaying tree stump.  The texture on their caps is quite unusual:

And this is the view from beneath:

This mushrooms can be quite spectacular under the right circumstances, see here for examples.

Photos taken in the Wilderness, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-12-03.

Malachite Beetle

A malachite beetle, Malachius bipustulatus (Coleoptera: Melyridae) on a grass flower-head.

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading, UK, on 2010-05-06.

Lonchopterid Fly

A pale-coloured fly from the spring of 2010: probably a Lonchoptera sp (Diptera: Lonchopteridae).

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading, UK, on 2010-05-06.

Empid Flies

A pair of Empid flies, possibly Rhamphomyia sulcata (Diptera: Empididae), mating on our living room window.  As part of the courtship the male presents the female with something to eat, in this case a small fly.

Photos taken in Reading, UK, on 2010-04-26.