Blue Beetle

These small blue beetles were infesting the willowherb (Epilobium sp) on the dam at the lower end of the large lake this summer.  Possibly an Altica sp (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).  These beetles differ from the similar Gastrophysia viridula in three ways: they are blue not green, they live on willowherb not dock (Rumex sp), and their bodies are smooth and not covered in lots of small depressions.

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-08-30.

Tachinid Fly

A Tachinid fly, probably Dexiosoma caninum (Diptera: Tachinidae).

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-07-18.

Grass Bugs

From back in mid-summer: a pair of grass bugs mating.  Probably Leptopterna dolabrata (Hemiptera: Miridae).

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-06-15.

Platypezid Fly

A flat-footed fly (Diptera:y Platypezidae), so-called because of the flattened tarsi on their hind legs which, from certain angles, makes their hind legs look swollen.

This fly belongs to the subfamily Callomyiinae because the median vein does not fork.

Photos taken in The Wilderness, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-09-17.

Turnip Sawflies

Turnip sawflies, Athalia rosae (Hymenoptera Tenthredinidae), mating.  This species is easily recognizable by the black 'shoulder pads' on the orange thorax.  On the same day as I took the above photo, I also took this one of what I assumed was a dark blue-grey caterpillar, but which I have just realized is probably a larva of Athalia rosae:

This larva was on hedge mustard (Sisymbrium officinale) which is listed at BioImages.org.uk among the possible food plants for the larvae of A. rosae.

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-09-12.