Tephritid Fly

Tephritid fly Tephritis bardanae (Diptera: Tephritidae) on burdock (Arctium sp).  This is the first of this species I have seen this year.  The burdock flower heads are just beginning to come out.

The wing patterns are similar to, but subtly different from, those for Tephritis hyoscyami, but the latter tend to be found on thistles rather than on burdock.

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2012-06-04.

Robber Flies

A male robber fly, Dioctria rufipes (Diptera: Asilidae), with a smaller fly prey.

A bit further along my walk I came across another male displaying in front of a female.  The female was sitting on an ox-eye daisy and the male was flying back and forth in front of the female.  Each leg of the male's flight was about 10cm long and was performed about 10cm in front of the female.  After 3 or 4 repeats the male flew down and they mated:

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2012-05-30.

Another Moth

Another small moth, this time probably a female Elachista canapennella (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae).  The males of this species lack the white spots and are quite drab in comparison.  The larvae mine the leaves of various grasses.

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2012-05

Moth

A small moth, probably Dichrorampha sequana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).  This species is characterized by the rectangular white patch on its back.  Its larvae feed on the roots of yarrow (Achillea millefolium).

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2012-05-30.

Another Beetle

A rose chafer beetle, Cetonia aurata (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2012-05-30.