A very cloudy afternoon and certainly humid. Not a single butterfly seen, but lots of micro moths again. Also some very vocal Kestrels, which makes me think there are some youngsters about. Also vocal were a Common Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.
A lot of different bugs and beasties about with several moths a Carnation Tortrix (Cacoecimorpha pronubana), a Rush Veneer (Nomophila noctuella), dozens of Plum Tortrix (Hedya pruniana), Common Nettle-tap moth (Anthophila fabriciana) and a Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella).
Lots of hoverflies on the wing especially Marmalade Hoverflies (Episyrphus balteatus), they were everywhere, 2 Pied Hoverfly (Scaeva pyrastri) and quite a few Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare).
A few beetles about including my favourite the Bloody-nosed Beetle (Timarcha tenebricosa). There was also a Miridae which I thought was a Common Green Capsid (Lygocoris pabulinus), but I'm now thinking is a Lucerne Bug, Adelphocoris lineolatus. I also struggled to ID a small brown beetle. he closest I can get is possibly a Sap beetles or pollen beetle (Nitidulidae)
I found a couple of caterpillars one was either a 5 or 6 Spot Burnet and the other was on a Privet was a Magpie Moth (Abraxas grossulariata).
Unsurprisingly there were lots of snails and slugs about and two firsts for me on Portland were a Brown-lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea nemoralis) and a Netted or Grey Field Slug (Deroceras reticulatum).
I found a couple of caterpillars one was either a 5 or 6 Spot Burnet and the other was on a Privet was a Magpie Moth (Abraxas grossulariata).
Unsurprisingly there were lots of snails and slugs about and two firsts for me on Portland were a Brown-lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea nemoralis) and a Netted or Grey Field Slug (Deroceras reticulatum).
A new spider for me a Stretch-spider, Tetragnatha extensa. Though I might have to recheck this.
Also still lots of Dark Bush-crickets, Pholidoptera griseoaptera about and a Crane Fly, Epiphragma ocellare in Penn's wood.
Here are a few images from this afternoon.
A very large and busy hoverfly the Pied Hoverfly, Scaeva pyrastri. This one was in the grounds of St Andrews Church and another by Rufus Castle.
........on a Privet and is the caterpillar of the Magpie Moth (Abraxas grossulariata). Apart from Privet it also feeds on Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Hazel, amongst a few others.
A Brown-lipped Banded Snail, Cepaea nemoralis. All the ones I've come across before have been White-lipped Banded Snail, Cepaea hortensis.
I believe this is a Netted or Grey Field Slug (Deroceras reticulatum). Probably one of the smallest slugs I have come across.
This is a very distinctive Crane Fly going by the scientific name of Epiphragma ocellare and is a Crane Fly which likes damp woods, such as Penn's wood where I found it.
This is a Miridae and at first I presumed it was Common Green Capsid, Lygocoris pabulinus. However after scrolling through lots of web sites I think this is closer to a Lucerne Bug, Adelphocoris lineolatus.
With so many British Beetles, this little individual was always going to be a tough one to ID. The closest I can get is a Nitidulidae which is one of the pollen or sap beetles.
I think this is the Stretch-spider, Tetragnatha extensa. However there are very similar looking species and it didn't help that I photographed the underside!
Here are a few images from this afternoon.
A Carnation Tortrix, Cacoecimorpha pronubana
A Rush Veneer (Nomophila noctuella).
A Common Nettle-tap moth, Anthophila fabriciana
Garden Grass-veneer, Chrysoteuchia culmella
Lots of these about this afternoon a Marmalade Hoverfly, Episyrphus balteatus.
And another with its wings folded.
Not a Marmalade Hoverfly but a Chequered Hoverfly, Melanostoma scalare
An interesting caterpillar.........
The caterpillar of either the 5 or 6 spot Burnet Moth
Love them or hate them two Garden Snails having a feast.
A Bloody-nosed Beetle, Timarcha tenebricosa. So many of these about.
A Still lots of these Dark Bush-crickets, Pholidoptera griseoaptera about.
