Hoverfly

Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus (Diptera: Syrphidae), a female.

Photo taken in Chazey Wood, near Caversham, UK, on 2011-08-17.

Purple Loosestrife

The flowers of purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria.

These views more clearly show the leaves (above) and the whole plant (below).

Photos taken in the field below Chazey Wood, near Caversham, UK, on 2011-08-17.

Shieldbug Nymphs

Two 4th instar nymphs of the green shieldbug, Palomena prasina (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on the seed-head of a hogweed plant (Heracleum sphondylium).  See here for a photo of a 5th instar nymph.

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-08-14.

Burying Beetle

A burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides (Coleoptera: Silphidae). 

I first saw one of these a year ago, on Roseberry Common in North Yorkshire, see here.  Nicrophorus vespillo is similar but has orange tips to its antennae.

Photos taken in the Wilderness, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-06-14.

Lacewing

A green lacewing, probably a member of the Chrysoperla carnea group (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-08-06.