Image-of-the-Day by Subject

Image-of-the-Day by Subject

Insects (assorted) Page 6

Image Taken on 24 Sep 2007 at 10:41 Image of day on 16 Nov 2007

Another delightful bug photographed in September was held back because we were unsure (& wrong!) about identification. Kindly identified for us Sheila B via Judith K.

Ref: 20071116_p34_20070924_1041_762 shieldbug troilus luridus(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 17 Jul 2011 at 16:17 Image of day on 31 Aug 2011

Concentrating on the intended subject it is easy to overlook what else is going on. The photo being taken was of the Small Copper Butterfly but we only later noticed also the grasshopper (below the butterfly's Proboscis) and 5 Red Soldier Beetles, 1 under the butterfly on the right, and 4 more in the next flower along, one pair mating as usual.

Ref: 20110831_df1_20110717_1617_111 small copper butterfly on thistle + grasshopper + 5 common red soldier beetles (crop)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 14 Apr 2006 at 14:19 Image of day on 22 Apr 2006

First time we have observed a two spot ladybird with 'inverted' colours.

Ref: 20060422_d10_20060414_1419_244 2 spot ladybird (orange spots on black wing case) (web crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 29 Sep 2009 at 11:16 Image of day on 05 Nov 2009

A visitor spotted a 7 spot ladybird hiding in the depth of one of these fir cones, and search revealed several out and about.

Ref: 20091105_p34_20090929_1116_360 7 spot ladybird on fir cone(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image of day on 05 Apr 2005

The ladybirds mating on an evergreen on an unexpected warm and sunny day.

Ref: 20050405_d12_02438 7 spot ladybird pair mating 2005mar26_12-38-48(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 14 Apr 2006 at 14:15 Image of day on 21 Apr 2006

These Ladybirds are definitely in the mood for love on the first really warm day.

Ref: 20060421_d10_20060414_1415_239 7 spot ladybirds mating on pine cone (web crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 30 Apr 2011 at 10:56 Image of day on 02 Jun 2011

Why is the starling flying away from the hole leading to the nest in the loft?
Well he turned up, found his 'wife' already inside, flew off and perched on a nearby pipe, the lady departed and he then went in with this food

Ref: 20110602_db1_20110430_1056_109+112+113 starling male with caterpillar flies to hole & back + female exits + male returns 07-09 of 14 (accurate montage)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 10 May 2010 at 12:51 Image of day on 15 Jun 2010

Other beakful's include various caterpillars and mixes of flies, caterpillars and spiders.

Ref: 20100615_db1_20100510_1251_361 starling taking caterpillar(s) into nest in loft (crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 14 Aug 2011 at 14:40 Image of day on 30 Sep 2011

2 minutes later, without at the time making any connection, we took this image of such a parasitic fly nearby. These flies feed on nectar, but lay their eggs inside various (it seems mostly moth) caterpillars which the subsequent larvae eat from the inside. Yuck! We can't be sure of a connection, but we will be watching.

Ref: 20110930_db1_20110814_1440_061 tachina fera (q) parasitic fly on knapweed flower (crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 20 Aug 2010 at 12:16 Image of day on 29 Sep 2010

This wonderful fly came to our attention. It is about 15mm long, looks wonderful, but is parasitic (lays eggs inside other creatures) so not very endearing.

Ref: 20100929_db1_20100820_1216_104 tachina fera parasitic fly on unripe blackberry fruit (crop)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 31 May 2011 at 12:30 Image of day on 01 Jul 2011

While we were watching the butterfly, this Thick-legged Flower Beetle got in on the act. According to some books this is the male, the females not sporting the leg bulges, but the descriptions get muddled into another species & we are not sure.

Ref: 20110701_df1_20110531_1230_094 thick-legged flower beetle (oedemera nobilis) male in buttercup flower(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 08 Jul 2007 at 14:50 Image of day on 23 Jul 2007

These iridescent beetles really catch the eye. At the time we unknowingly photographed male (bulbous legs) and female 3 minutes apart on the same patch. Get to it!

Ref: 20070723_d10_20070708_1450_095&1453_112 thick-legged flower beetles male (left) and female (right) on blackberry flowers (montage)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 23 Mar 2012 at 16:11 Image of day on 26 Apr 2012

We haven't identified this Bumble Bee, but love the dusting of pollen from the willow catkin.

Ref: 20120426_df1_20120323_1611_063 unident bumble bee on willow catkin (crop)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 03 Oct 2011 at 13:03 Image of day on 19 Nov 2011

This appears to be a Cuckoo Bee but we don't have enough experience or the right books to definitively ID it. Cuckoo Bees do what their name says - they lay eggs in another bees nest.

Ref: 20111119_da1_20111003_1303_139+20111001_1605_043_ft1 unident cuckoo bee in flight with yellow buddleia (montage)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 09 Sep 2007 at 13:14 Image of day on 12 Oct 2007

This little creature landed on Marie while picking blackberries. We now have an experts confirmation that this is a Palomena prasina nymph that will be adult at it's next stage. Thanks to Judith K. for getting the expert assessment for us

Ref: 20071012_p34_20070909_1314_216 unidentified shieldbug (10mm long) by clover leaf next to self-heal flower(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 26 May 2006 at 13:05 Image of day on 02 Jun 2006

This yellowhammer female has a cranefly in its beak so must be feeding young on a nest somewhere.

Ref: 20060602_d3e_20060526_1305_017 fb1 yellowhammer female with cranefly in beak (processed)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 09 Jun 2010 at 05:35 Image of day on 21 Jul 2010

We know Yellowhammers nest near our South East corner but its nice to get it confirmed by this adult female collecting caterpillars.

Ref: 20100721_d45_20100609_0535_213_fb1 yellowhammer with caterpillar in beak (crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

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