Blue Bug Nymph

From back in late spring: a final instar nymph of the oak leaf bug, Cyllecoris histrionius (Hemiptera: Miridae).

Photo taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading, UK, on 2010-05-31

Earwig

One day back in July, this fell out of some of my pants that had been hanging up to dry.   It is probably a common earwig, Forficula auricularia (Dermaptera: Foriculidae).

Photo taken in Reading, UK, on 2010-07-26.

Beetle

From back in mid-summer: a small ground beetle, Dromius quadrimaculatus (Coleoptera: Carabidae).  I had seem one of these earlier in the year but that was a rather drab colour and my photos of it were indistinct, so I was quite pleased when I found this bright little specimen.

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading, UK, on 2010-07-30.

Muscid Fly

A female Muscid fly, either Helina impuncta or Helina depuncta (Diptera: Muscidae). Identified by Stephane Lebrun.  See half-way down this page for more on these two species.

Photos taken in Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-08-22.

Small Yellow Balsam

A flower of small yellow balsam, Impatiens parviflora.  I first noticed this plant growing alongside the paths under the trees in The Wilderness where it tended to have large healthy leaves but scrawny little yellow flowers:

I was finding it very difficult to identify this plant until I noticed the serrated edges of it leaves were very similar to those of Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera).  However, while Himalyayan balsam can grow to over head-height, small yellow balsam grows only up to knee- or waist-height.

Photos taken in The Wilderness, Whiteknights Park, Reading University grounds, Reading, UK, on 2010-07-30 (first and last) and 2010-08-01 (second).