Sawfly

A woolly alder sawfly, Eriocampa ovata (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), so-called because its larvae are woolly and live on alder trees.

I photographed another adult at about the same time last year but, at the time, I mistakenly thought it was a Eutomostethus ephippium.   However, the latter have more red down the sides of the thorax, and their antennae are thicker (compare this with this).

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-05-06

Braconid Wasps

Two small black braconid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on a oak leaf.  They seem similar to the photos of Eubazus sp shown here and here, but I have no real confidence in the accuracy of this 'identification'.

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-05-12.

Nomad Bee

A nomad bee, probably Nomada flava (Hymenoptera: Apidae).  These live as 'cuckoos' in the nests of mining bees, such as Andrena sp.

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-05-10.

Hoverfly

Hoverfly Anasimyia lineata (Diptera: Syrphidae).

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-05-05.

Another Dagger Fly

A male dagger fly, probably Empis trigramma (Diptera: Empididae).

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-05-10.