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

Species 73 - Heterotoma planicornis

Found several more species of bug today, most of which I couldn't identify, but this one I could find, helped by it's extraordinary antenna. It's descibed as being abundant on Nettles. Well I only found this one but it was on a nettle


Heterotoma planicornis













Scores (how the 73 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 5
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
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

Species 72 - Common Green capsid

A bit of a struggle to find anything tonight until I found this little bug on a nettle. I may have to settle for a few plant species over the next few days..

Common Green Capsid (Lygocoris pabulinus)














Scores (how the 72 species so far break down by group)

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

GWP - copyright GWP

Species 71 - Painted Lady

Another of the likely butterfly species is added to the collection. I wanted to get a fully open winged shot but despite trying for quite a long time this one wasn't co-operating. Having said that I think this is actually quite a nice photo.

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)





















Scores (how the 71 species so far break down by group)

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

GWP - copyright GWP

Species 70 - Peacock

My 10th species of butterfly and probably the most impressive. I'm still to see Small White and Painted Lady, but after that I might have seen all the butterflies I'm going to record. The most under recorded group are undoubtedly the moths. I may need to get a trap if I'm to really explore that group


Peacock (Inachis io)
















Scores (how the 70 species so far break down by group)


Bees - 6
Moths - 5
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 11
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 11
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 10
Dragonflies - 2
Birds - 4
True bugs - 1


GWP - copyright GWP

Species 69 - Common Darter

My second Dragonfly and nice one! There were actually 2 that briefly appeared then flew off. I hope they get roundto laying some eggs in the pond.


Common Darter (Symepetrum striolatum)














Scores (how the 69 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 5
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 11
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 11
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 9
Dragonflies - 2
Birds - 4T
rue bugs - 1


GWP - copyright GWP

Species 68 - Silver y

There are loads of these around at the moment, still not a very good photo though, they're very flighty. Peacock and Common darter there today too, so I'm hoping to add them over the next day or two.

Silver Y (Autographa gamma)
















Scores (how the 68 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 5
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 11
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 11
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 9
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 4
True bugs - 1


GWP - copyright GWP

Species 67 - Meadow Brown

Yet another nice and maybe surprising butterfly for the garden, took ages to get a photo as it refused to settle anywhere sensible.

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)















Scores (how the 67 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 4
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 11
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 11
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 9
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 4
True bugs - 1

GWP - copyright GWP

Species 66 - Scaeva pyrastri

Another large hover - very distinctive too.

Scaeva pyrastri


















Scores (how the 66 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 4
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 11
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 11
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 8
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 4
True bugs - 1

GWP - copyright GWP

Species 65 - Essex Skipper

Yesterday I reported that I'd seen a Small Skipper, but didn't get a photo. Today I did and it looks as though rather than Small Skipper it's an Essex - based on the black antenna tips anyway. A pretty good garden record I think. That's my 8th species of butterfly, with some expected species still to come.

Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)
























Scores (how the 65 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 4
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 10
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 11
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 8
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 4
True bugs - 1

GWP - copyright GWP

Species 65 - Volucella pellucens

Another impressive hover. Also a probably small skipper in the garden today which would have made a good record but I had no chance of a photo.

















Scores (how the 64 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 4
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 10
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 11
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 7
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 4
True bugs - 1


GWP - copyright GWP

Species 63 - Common Blue

Quite surprised to get this species in the garden as I thought it preferred grassland type habitat. There was also Painted Lady and Gatekeeper today, both of which would also have been new had I been able to get photos. Lots of Comma around too.



















Scores (how the 63 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 4
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 9
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 11
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 7
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 4
True bugs - 1

GWP - copyright GWP

Species 62 - Small Tortoiseshell

Pretty sure this is the first Tortioseshell I've seen in the garden this year..


Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)















Scores (how the 62 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 4
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 9
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 11
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 6
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 4
True bugs - 1


GWP - copyright GWP

Species 61 - 14 spot ladybird

Shows what I know, the day after I say I didn't expect to see another ladybird species, another one turns up. This one is unusual in having square spots.

14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata)






















Scores (how the 61 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 4
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 9
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 11
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 5
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 4
True bugs - 1


GWP - copyright GWP

Species 60 - 2 Spot Ladybird

Not a great photo, but there you go, it's easy to identify I guess. This is my fourth species of ladybird, not sure I'll see anymore?

2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia 2-puntata)




















Scores (how the 60pecies so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 4
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 9
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 10
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 5
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 4
True bugs - 1



GWP - copyright GWP

Species 59 - Hummingbird Hawk Moth

Magic!

Hummingbird Hawk Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)






































Scores (how the 59 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 4
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 9
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 9
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 5
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 4
True bugs - 1



Having broken my rule today of 1 species per day I might do that some more, there are lots of species I haven't posted and yet could have...


GWP - copyright GWP

Species 58 - Large White

Whilst this species is seen very often in the garden it's proved difficult to photograph as it never settles. So when this one did for a few seconds I knew I had to take my chance!


Large White (Pieris brassicae)


















Scores (how the 58 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 3
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 9
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 9
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 5
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 4
True bugs - 1

GWP - copyright GWP

Species 57 - Wool Carder Bee

2 species today as I missed yesterday due to illness..

It took me ages to work out the identity of this bee, indeed I had to seek assistance from the internet. It's quite impressive and territorial, it wouldn't tolerate males of it's own kind near it's clump of Black Horehound (species 43). The female (much smaller) was tolerated though.

Wool Carder Bee (Anthidium manicatum)























Scores (how the 57 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 7
Moths - 3
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 9
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 9
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 4
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 4
True bugs - 1

GWP - copyright GWP

Species 56 - Volucella zonaria

What an insect! It's a least 15mm long maybe a bit more. This is my second species from the genus Volucella, it was bombylans last time. I've seen several more bombylans since but this is the first of these. Apparently the larvae scavenge in wasps nests. Just 1 more and that'll be 10 species of hoverfly.


Volucella zonaria





















Scores (how the 56 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 3
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 9
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 9
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 4
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 4
True bugs - 1


GWP - copyright GWP

Species 55 - Goldfinch

Caught this on the feeder, somewhat unusual for our garden, haven't seen them for a few months so had to be posted.

Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)



















Scores (how the 55 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 3
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 8
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 9
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 4
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 4
True bugs - 1


GWP - copyright GWP

Species 54 - Comma

My fourth species of butterfly and I'm only aware of 2 more that visit the garden (large white which flies though frequently but never settles and Painted Lady, which I haven't seen for a few weeks). Having said that I would expect Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Small White to appear at some point. I may have a run of plants for the nest few days before a whole range of species go over.


Comma (Polygonia c-album)





















Scores (how the 54 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 3
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 8
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 9
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 4
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 3
True bugs - 1


GWP - copyright GWP

Species 53 - Sphaerophoria scripta

Lots about today, with the nice weather, but it was another hoverfly that proved the most photogenic. This is my 8th species of this group, amazing really for a small sub-urban garden. Shame about the football, but what can you do?


Sphaerophoria scripta


















Scores (how the 53 species so far break down by group)

Bees - 6
Moths - 3
Amphibians - 1
Plants - 11
OtherFlies - 3
Hoverflies - 8
Molluscs - 1
Beetles - 9
Spiders -1
Centipedes - 1
Wasps - 1
Butterflies - 3
Dragonflies - 1
Birds - 3
True bugs - 1


GWP - copyright GWP