Sciomyzid Fly

Sciomyzid fly Coremacera marginata (Diptera: Sciomyzidae).

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-09-10.

Dragonfly

A common darter dragonfly, Sympetrum striolatum (Odonata: Libellulidae).  This species can be distinguished from the similar ruddy darter dragonfly (Sympetrum sanguineum) by the yellow stripe down the legs (the ruddy darter's legs are all black).

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-09-16.

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.