Mon 2010-09-20 
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.
Sun 2010-09-19 
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.
Sat 2010-09-18 
From back in mid-summer: a caterpillar of the lime hawk moth, Mimas tiliae (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). Note the blue 'horn' on its rear end. These single 'horns' are a feature of the caterpillars of most species of hawk moth.
Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-07-11.
Fri 2010-09-17 
An ichneumon wasp, probably Ichneumon sarcitorius (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) on hogweed. The pattern of black, orange and white bands on the abdomen may seem rather striking but, out on the web, you will also find photos labelled I. sarcitorius that show a distinctly different banding on the abdomen (see here, here and here, for instance). I assume that this is a rather variable species.
Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-09-12.
Tristram Brelstaff
The images here suggest that the above specimen is a female and the other variants are males.
Thu 2010-09-16 
A particularly spiny puffball fungus, probably Lycoperdon echinatum.
Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-09-12.
