Sawflies

A pair of figwort sawflies, Tenthredo scrophulariae (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), mating.

Photo taken in the field below Chazey Wood, near Caversham, UK, on 2012-08-20.

Fungus

A fungus growing on a blackberry leaf (Rubus sp).

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading, UK, on 2012-09-15.

Moth

A moth that came through my bedroom window one night in late August: probably a Xestia xanthographa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Photo taken in Reading, UK, on 2012-08-24.

Shieldbugs

An adult shieldbug, probably Eurygaster testudinaria (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae).  Another possibility would be Eurygaster maura which is very similar but rarer.

And this appears to be a final instar nymph of the same species.

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading, UK, on 2012-09-06 and 2012-09-14, respectively.

Bluebottle Flies

A male bluebottle fly of species Calliphora vomitoria (Diptera: Calliphoridae).  Note that the yellow 'beard' actual extends all the way round the neck and so would be better termed the yellow 'ruff'.

For comparison here is a male Calliphora vicina.  Note the lack of the yellow beard, the slightly reddish face (as if it had been applying rouge), and the yellowish spiracle on the side of the thorax just behind the eyes.

Photos taken in Whiteknight Park, Reading, UK, on 2012-08-31 and 2012-06-04 respectively.