Crust Fungus

On the underside of a fallen birch trunk: a yellowish crust fungus, probably Stereum gausapatum.

It bleeds red liquid hen its surface is cut:

I took the following specimen home to look for spores:

And this it what it gave (x600 magnification, field width about 86um):

These spores are about 8 x 3.5um.  This is a bit smaller than the 9-13 x 3.5 - 5um given for Sterum rugosum at Rogers Mushrooms but nicely matches the 7-8 x 3-3.5um for S. gausapatum given by the same source. 

Apparently, S. sanguinolentum has spores the same size as gausapatum but that species grows only on conifers, not on birch.

First 2 photos and specimen taken in the Wilderness, Whiteknights Park. Reading, UK, on 2013-12-21.

Slime Mould

Sporangia of a slime mould, probably Trichia decipiens, growing on a decaying log.

I took the following specimen to look at at home:

I squashed one of the sporangia onto a microscope slide but was unable to find any spores so I left the sample to mature. 

After a couple of days the sporangia had turned a dark olive green:

 

Under the microscope they yielded the following spores (x600):

The field width is about 86um so the spores are about 10 x 11um.

Also present were the long tapered elaters characteristic of Trichia decipiens:

First photo and specimen taken in the Wilderness, Whiteknights Park, Reading, UK, on 2013-12-18.

Lacewing

A green lacewing, probably a member of the Chrysoperla carnea group of species (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).  I noticed on our bedroom window at the end of a warm day in mid December.  I trapped it in order to photograph it in daylight defore releasing it again.

Specimen taken in Reading, UK, on 2013-12-17.

Spider with Hoverfly Prey

Crab spider Misumena vatia (Araneae: Thomisidae)with a hoverfly of genus Syrphus (Diptera: Syrphidae) as prey.

Photo taken on 2012-09-03.

Spider with Empid Fly Prey

Yet another Xysticus sp (Araneae: Thomisidae), this time with an Empid fly (Diptera: Empididae) as prey.

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading, UK, on 2013-05-27.