Species 80 - Leopard Slug

Last summer I went away on holiday and lost steam for this after I came back - but I found this slug today and decided to get things going again. I definitely won't be posting everyday, but maybe I'll add a few more species in as I find them - it would defintely be good to get past 100 for the garden. Any here is it is:

Leopard slug (Limax maximus )

Scores (how the 80 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6

Moths - 5

Amphibians - 1

Plants - 14

OtherFlies - 4

Hoverflies - 12

Molluscs - 2

Beetles - 12

Spiders -1

Centipedes - 1

Wasps - 1

Butterflies - 11

Dragonflies - 2

Birds - 4

True bugs - 3

GWP - copyright GWP

Species 79 - Orange ladybird

My daughter found this one on the ceiling of the Bathroom. It favours Sycamore apparently and eats mildew. My 6th Ladybird species, amazing really. Not a very good photo though, I needed to use a tripod but couldn't be bothered


Orange Ladybird (Halyzia 16-guttata)


















Scores (how the 79 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 5
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 14
OtherFlies - 4
Hoverflies - 12
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 12
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 11
Dragonflies - 2
Birds - 4
True bugs - 3

GWP - copyright GWP

Species 78 - Pineapple Weed

This introduced plant is often found in the gateways to fields, we've got one in our patio though.


Pineapple Weed (Chamomilla suaveolens)


















Scores (how the 78 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 5
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 14
OtherFlies - 4
Hoverflies - 12
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 11
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 11
Dragonflies - 2
Birds - 4
True bugs - 3

GWP - copyright GWP

Species 77 - Turnip Sawfly

Found this fly on a Common Mallow leaf and although it's name suggests it favours Turnips I think it'll feed on any member of the crucifer (cabbage) family, including any wild species that are around.

Turnip Sawfly (Athalia rosae)

















Scores (how the 77 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 5
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 13
OtherFlies - 4
Hoverflies - 12
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 11
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 11
Dragonflies - 2
Birds - 4
True bugs - 3

GWP - copyright GWP

Species 76 - Lords and Ladies

I didn't spot this when it must have been in flower a few weeks ago. It has a fascinating mode of fertilisation involving flies becoming trapped overnight inside the base of the flower then being released the next morning with a sample of pollen to go fertilise other flowers nearby. Amazing.

Lords and Ladies (Arum maculatum)





















Scores (how the 76 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 5
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 13
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 12
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 11
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 11
Dragonflies - 2
Birds - 4
True bugs - 3

GWP - copyright GWP

Species 75 - Volucella inanis

My 12th hover and my 4th from the genus Volucella. Not bad.

Volucella inanis




















Scores (how the 75 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 5
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 12
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 12
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 11
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 11
Dragonflies - 2
Birds - 4
True bugs - 3

GWP - copyright GWP

Species 74 - Great Willowherb

No new insects today, so settled on a plant. We have a few of these around, although all fairly small due to restricted growing conditions. They can be quite spectacular in large clumps


Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum)



















Scores (how the 74 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 5
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 12
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 11
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 11
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 11
Dragonflies - 2
Birds - 4
True bugs - 3

GWP - copyright GWP