Wednesday
Apr132011

Shieldbug

A pied shieldbug, Tritomegas bicolor (Hemiptera: Cydnidae). 

This was the first time I had ever seen this species, but I saw another one on each of my walks over the following 3 days.

Photos taken at Dinton Pastures, Winnersh, near Reading, UK, on 2011-04-07.

Tuesday
Apr122011

Frit Fly

A male frit fly, probably Thaumatomyia notata (Diptera: Chloropidae).  Note the everted yellow sacs at the tip of the abdomen which release a pheromone to attract females (see here for further details).  These flies are really tiny: only 1 or 2mm long.

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-04-09.

Monday
Apr112011

Longhorn Moths

A male longhorn moth, probably Adela reaumurella (Lepidoptera: Adelidae). One of several that I saw on my walk round the lakes on on Saturday.  Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-04-09.

On the following afternoon I saw several several swarms of these moths on a walk to Mapledurham.  The swarms seemed to consist of only males, all vigorously twirling their long antennae.  I did see one female (much shorter antennae and a greenish-gold sheen rather than a silvery black - see here) but it was by itself down in the undergrowth, well away from the swarms.  Photo taken in Chazey Wood, near Caversham, UK, on 2011-04-10.

Sunday
Apr102011

Tachinid Fly

My first Tachinid flies of the year: two Gymnocheta viridis (Diptera: Tachinidae).

Photos taken at Dinton Pastures, Winnersh, near Reading, UK, on 2011-04-07.

Saturday
Apr092011

Shieldbug

A small shieldbug, probably the bishop's mitre bug, Aelia acuminata (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2011-04-06.