Thu 2011-04-14 
A pair of bee flies mating. Species Bombylius major (Diptera: Bombyliidae). Female to the left, male to the right. They were actually able to fly like this.
Photo taken at Dinton Pastures, Winnersh, near Reading, UK, on 2011-04-07.
Wed 2011-04-13 
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.
Tue 2011-04-12 
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.
Mon 2011-04-11 
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.
Sun 2011-04-10 
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.
