Specie 26 - Anchomenus dorsalis

We have several of these beetles living under pots at the front of the house. I actually had trouble identifying them and had to systematally go through a web site of ground beetle images (http://www.coleopterist.org.uk/photos-list.htm). It doesn't seem to have a common name nor have I found out anything about it's biology, so I don't even know how widespread it is.

Anchomenus dorsalis


















SCORES:

Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 8
OtherFlies - 2
Hoverflies - 2
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 4
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 1

GWP

Species 25 - Cow Parsley

Not very exciting for my 25th garden species of animal or plant, but it needs to go on the list and won't be around much longer and due to the dull conditions insect photography was always going to be a challenge.

This is a very common and widespread species which occurs in many hedgrows across the country.


Cow Parsley ( Anthriscus sylvestris)




















Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 8
OtherFlies - 2
Hoverflies - 2
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 3
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 1

GWP

Species 24 - Holly Blue

I've mentioned this species on previous occasions, apart from Large white, the only Butterfly we've had in the garden this year. Whilst those other species may not be doing so well this year that can't be said of Holly Blue as there are far more around than I remember previously. I guess there's been a very good hatch this year. Holly Blue is just about the only blue butterfly likely to be seen in your garden. The caterpillars feed on Ivy so I'm hopeful they will breed as we have a large amount of this plant species now.

Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
















Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 7
OtherFlies - 2
Hoverflies - 2
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 3
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 1

GWP

Species 23 - Myathropa florea

We had good weather for the first time in a while and the local insects duly came out in force. Several new and interesting species (including several Holly Blues). However this cracking Hoverfly grabbed my interest and gets the honour of today's post. They are quite variable, there was another individual around which was quite a bit darker. Still the same species though i think. Hoverflies really are great insects.

Myathropa florea
















Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 7
OtherFlies - 2
Hoverflies - 2
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 3
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1

Species 22 - Lily Beetle

This is another alien species which is causing a lot of problems to garden plants. I found it on a lilly plant we have - a lily plant with lots of holes in it's leaves. This species could be confused with a close relative of Pyrochroa serraticornis, P. coccinea. However the Lily beetle is shorter and the abdomen is shorter in proportion to the overall length.



Lily Beetle (Lilioceris lilii)


















Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 7
OtherFlies - 2
Hoverflies - 1
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 3
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1


GWP

Species 21 - Pimpla Instigator

OK, so I'll admit here and now that I'm not certain this is actually the species named. It's definitely an ichneumon wasp of the genus Pimpla, but it may not be instigator, BUT this is the closest species I can find. As it makes for an interesting picture I thought i'd post this anyway and return at a later date if it turns out to be a related species. Part of the problem is that I haven't been able to find an image of a male instigator, only females. If anyone out there knows what it really is then let me know.

This one has set itself up with a little territory on a Dock leaf just near the pond. It was there over some period. If he manages to attract a female then watch out any caterpillars in the vicinity!





















Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 7
OtherFlies - 2
Hoverflies - 1
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 1
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Ladybirds - 1
Wasps - 1

GWP

Species 20 - Flag Iris

When we made the pond this was one of the plants we put in and it's done really well. It took a bit of a beating in the winds but it didn't suffer any real damage and with today's sun it looks really great.

Flag Iris (iris pseudacorus)



















Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 7
OtherFlies - 2
Hoverflies - 1
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 1
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Ladybirds - 1

GWP

Species 19 - Harlequin Ladybird

I found this on one of our shrubs. This is not good. The Harlequin ladybird is an alien and very agressive species that has recently invaded the UK. There an official project to look at this issue and further details can be found at their website: http://www.harlequin-survey.org/default.htm

This is a very variable species, but this is one of the commonest sub-types

Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis succinea)


















Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 6
OtherFlies - 2
Hoverflies - 1
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 1
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Ladybirds - 1

GWP

Species 18 - Flesh Fly

Tonight, in the first sunshine we've had in a while, I noticed that the local fly population were hanging out sunning themselves on the fence. There were at least 7 species, including greenbottle which I've already posted, several others I could ID and 2 that I can't sort out. I need a fly book... This is a nice looking fly without such a nice name or habits, but then if it wasn't for creatures like this the place would be littered with dead bodies, I guess.

Flesh Fly (Sarcophaga carnaria) - It's possible this is a different species as there are many that are quite similar in this family. I'll go with this for now though.




















Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 6
OtherFlies - 2
Hoverflies - 1
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 1
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1

GWP

Species 17 - Halophilus subterraneus

Due to the wind (again) I focussed on checking under pots and stones and, amongst a variety of interesting species came across this centipede adopting a distinctly defensive posture. It doesn't seem to have a common name and nor could I find that much information out other than it's fairly common and like other centipedes a very active hunter.


Halophilus subterraneus
















Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 6
OtherFlies - 1
Hoverflies - 1
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 1
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1


Whilst this wind continues I'll have to continue to lift stones for my post.

GWP

Species 16 - Woodlouse Spider (Dysdera crocota)

I found this cracking spider under a pot near the shed. This is the Woodlouse spider, so called due to it's habit of, you guessed it, eating woodlice, for which purpose it is specially adapted. I had noticed these spiders before, but it wasn't until I did some reading that i discovered this aspect of it's biology. There is a closely related, slightly smaller species - Dysdera erythrena, however I'm sure this is crocota due to it's size and the presence of 3 spines on the dorsal side of the rear femur, which my book (Collins Field Guide to Spiders) assures me is diagnostic - I inlude an image of the spines taken from another photo I took below. This species likes living under logs and stones (and pots) where woodlice are also to be found.


Woodlouse Spider (Dysdera crocota) - I had to use the flash on this shot and wasn't easy getting the exposure correct. I may need a dedicated macro flash?















Spines on rear femur:















Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 6
OtherFlies - 1
Hoverflies - 1
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 1
Spiders -1

My list really starting to come on - 16 species and counting. I reckon I can make at least 100? This will be quite impressive for what is really only a small suburban garden. I still haven't gone for a single bird, but I should be able to add at least 25 species, if I have the patience anyway.

GWP

Species 15 - Pyrochroa serraticornis

I came across this rather good-looking beetle under some rotting wood just behind the pond, which fits in well with it's habitat preference descriptions. Another species is very similar, Pyrochroa coccinea, but that one has a black head. According to Chinery's Complete British Insects (Collins) it is coccinea that has the common name of Cardinal Beetle, although other sources regard serraticornis as having that name. Maybe it is equally applied to both.

Pyrochroa serraticornis (180mm Macro)















Scores:

Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 6
OtherFlies - 1
Hoverflies - 1
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 1


Two other notable sightings today, first a Holly Blue, moving too quick to get a photo though. Second, two 4 cm long Smooth Newts under a stone at the ponds edge - I assume some of this years progeny!

GWP

Species 14 - Hawthorn

Yes more windy and overcast weather once again forced me to look to a plant species to provide today's bew species. It's another good one though. Hawthorne is the quitessential bush of the hedgerow. We are lucky enough to have 2 in the garden, left behind luckily when the house was built a few years ago. For just a few days each year it is covered in flowers.

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

















Scores:
Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 6
OtherFlies - 1
Hoverflies - 1
Molluscs - 1


GWP

Species 13 - Hedge Mustard

Difficult photography conditions, overcast and windy, again today meant a limited choice of subjects. However I did come across a plant species I hadn't seen before so opted to go for that. Hedge Mustard is a common plant of hedgerows throughout much of the UK, this is a young specimen, only 30cm high, they do get much bigger. The flowers are tiny! It is supposed to taste of mustard, but not to my tastebuds, maybe it's only the older leaves?


Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale). Due to the bad weather I didn't use the usual macro lens today (I did attempt it but my shots were all hopelessly blurry) but instead went for my 50mm f1.8 lens to maximise the shutter speed. Even so it's still not a perfect shot.






















Scores:

Bumblebees - 2

Other bees - 1

Moths - 1

Amphibians - 1

Plants - 5

OtherFlies - 1

Hoverflies - 1

Molluscs - 1

My focus on plant species does reflect their seasonal nature BUT I prefer taking shots of insects etc so I'm hoping we might get some better weather soon.

GWP

Species 12 - Wandering snail

Another lot of rain hampered photography this evening. Even so I spotted this snail near the surface of the pond and temporarily placed it on a lily pad to grab the shot. I think this the only species of snail we have in the pond currently but there are plenty there. We did have a Great Pond Snail for a while but I haven't seen it in some time. The snails came in with the plants we bought when the pond was set up. This species is said to be very common in the UK. The photo isn't very good really, the low levels forced me to use the flash


The Wandering Snail (Lymnaea peregra)




















Scores on the doors:

Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 4
OtherFlies - 1
Hoverflies - 1
Molluscs - 1

I still haven't posted a bird species, maybe it's getting near the time, although several plants species are waiting in the wings. I already realise that I have missed Lesser Celandine, which was in flower when I started this but has now gone. Oh well, maybe I can last till next March...

GWP

Species 11 - Marsh Marigold

With the rain and overcast conditions I needed an easy win today. The Marsh Marigold that we have provided the ideal subject, especially given it will soon be over and not available. This is a great plant, which was late flowering this year, presumably due to the cold conditions.

Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)


















Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 4
OtherFlies - 1
Hoverflies - 1

GWP

Species 10 - Helophilus pendulus

Haven't posted since last wednesday as have been birding in Spain. Many fabulous birds but the highlight has to be Lammergaier, what a bird. Anyway back to business - a different species from my garden for as long as I can manage. Went out late afternoon and immediately spotted this rather nice hoverfly flying around the pond and sunning itself on the rocks. There are few species in the Helophilus genus, this is the commonest. Whilst this is a hoverfly, this one wasn't tending to fly much more directly and do less hovering than normally seen withi flies of this group.

Helophilus pendulus
















Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 3
OtherFlies - 1
Hoverflies - 1

GWP

Day 9 - Alexanders

We have stand of Alexanders in 1 corner which always looks it's best in May. It's going over quickly though so today was it's turn to join the roster

Alexanders (Smyrnium olasatrum)




















This is another common plant, especially in coastal regions and often at roadsides. It also seems to be quite liked by various insects, which is why I leave it.

Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 3
Flies - 1

GWP

Day 8 - Red dead nettle

Very little time tonight so took the opportunity to grab a pic of a Red Dead-Nettle which is growing by the front gate. This isn't such a great photo but I didn't check it till after dark! This is a very common and widely distributed species. It is particularly phenotypically plastic in that it's appearence (size and colour) vary depending on the environment in which it grows.

Red Dead-Nettle (Lamium purpureum)

















Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 2
Flies - 1


GWP

Day 7 - Greenbottle

Spent quite a while checking out the many flies that were around today. There were several different species including some nice hoverflies. However the ones that really caught my eye were a few Greenbottles which were feeding on flowers of an Alexanders plant. These strikingly coloured flies are members of the calliphoridae (blow flies). There are several other green coloured flies but the silver face is fairly diagnostic. This species is not usually seen in the house unlike other blow flies, but is often seen around the garden and is common and widespread.


Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar). Usual camera set up.
















Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 1
Flies - 1

GWP

Day 6 - Emmelina monodactyla

It rained today so it wasn't great for photography, although the good news is I did manage to fill the rain butt and the pond.

I flushed this moth from the grass as I was mowing the lawn just before the rains came. It's a moth of a group known as the plumes, which are characterised by having finely divided wings. In this species though that isn't evident as the wings are held very tightly rolled up. It's one of the commonenest of the plume moths, being found at most times of the year in most parts of the country. It's food plant is bindweed, which means it should stay around the garden as that is a plant we are not short of.

This is the first moth photo, but definitely not the last as this is large group. I probably need to focus on a few plant species soon as there are several around that will shortly be over.



Emmelina monodactyla. Usual camera set up
















Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Moths - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 1

GWP

Day 5 - Hairy footed flower bee

Back to bees today, although this isn't a bumblebee, strictly speaking.

This species is more restricted seasonally and isn't seen much after June, seemingly, so it makes sense to catch up with it whilst it's showing well.

Hairy Footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes). Canon 20D, 180mm macro, f6.3, 1/500s

















Scores on the doors

Bumblebees - 2
Other bees - 1
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 1





GWP

Day 4 - Gorse

Got home earlier than expected so managed to grab a photo for today. We have a large gorse bush which is absolutely at it's peak just now so seemed a good option:


Gorse (Ulex europeaus):

















List so far

Bumblebees - 2
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 1


GWP

Day 3 - Smooth Newt

Thought I'd check out the pond this evening. The Marsh Marigold is just coming into flower (later than normal?) so I thought that would make an easy shot as I didn't have much time. However I quickly spotted the otherwise seldom-seen Smooth Newts. The Newts appeared almost as soon as we had made the pond 2 years ago. We see them occasionally during the spring but I've never seen any spawn or tadpoles. I was quite excited to see 3 tonight showing really well, in fact the 2 males were clearly displaying to the female. If things go smoothly maybe we'll get some tadpoles after all. I got really good views but didn't capture much with the camera, a combination of their movement and chronic surface reflection made it tough. Maybe I need a polarising filter.


Anyway here's today's offering: Smooth Newt (Triturus vulgaris) (180mm, f4.5, 1/320s)

















Totals:

Bumblebees - 2
Amphibians - 1

I've never seen frogs or toads so I guess this may be my first and last amphibian.


I won't be posting tomorrow or Thursday as I'm away on business

GWP

Day 2 - The Carder Bee

I've been pondering tactics for this. If I'm going to string this out for as long as possible I need to be careful which species I select each day - no point in posting a dandelion unless I really have to, better to go for something that's either unusual, seasonal or difficult to photograph. So, I took a load more images today and another bumblebee turned out to be best.

Today's species is: The Carder Bee, Bombus pascuorum















Canon 20D, Sigma 180mm, f5,6, 1/400s, ISO400

This is a common garden species that lives in colonies of about 100 individuals, typically buried somewhere underground. They are particularly fond of Foxgloves, apparently.


Species list

Bumblebees 2