Fri 2011-05-27 
A small metallic dark green hoverfly, probably a Melanogaster sp (Diptera: Syrphidae). Originally I thought it was a Lejogaster metallina but was put right by Roger Morris here. It is a female because of the large gap between the eyes on the top of the head.
Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-05-19.
Thu 2011-05-26 
A yellow rattle, probably Rhinanthus minor, also known as hay rattle, corn rattle or cockscomb.
This plant is 'hemiparasitic' on some grasses (it will parasitize then if they are available but can grow without them). Indeed, it is sometimes deliberately added to meadows that are being managed for wildlife because it slows the growth of grass, allowing other plants to flourish.
Photo taken in Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-05-13.
Wed 2011-05-25 
From a walk to Chazey Wood a few days ago: grass moth Scoparia pyralella (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). A bit further along the same field, and 15 minutes later, I came across a slightly darker member of the same species:
Both photos taken in the field below Chazey Wood, near Caversham, UK, on 2011-05-20.
Tue 2011-05-24 
A female gall fly, probably Tephritis neesii (Diptera: Tephritidae) on an ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare). These flies lay their eggs in the ox-eye daisy flower heads and their larvae develop there. A few minutes later I came across another one one of this species on a separate stand of ox-eye daisies:
Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-05-21.
Mon 2011-05-23 I have just worked my way through Martin Grabmüller's Monad Transformers Step by Step and I particularly like the use of the Identity monad as a base on which monad transformers are added to build new monads. I am now looking forward to reaching the Monad Transformers chapter in Real World Haskell.
