Wednesday 7 July 2010

Derek's beetle

To answer Derek G it is a longhorn beetle called Leptura maculata although it used to be called Stangnalia melanura. Ought to be called Wasp Beetle but that common name goes to a much less significant looking beast Clytus ariestis and I don't think L. maculata has a sensible name. I think they are very impressive. I normally see them on Hogweed flower heads. Has a status of local in UK. WWBIC would be interested in your record.
Nigel Ajax Lewis

Tuesday 6 July 2010

Small tortoiseshells

Things seem a bit quiet on this site lately.

Good numbers of small tortoiseshells around this year after the alarm bells going off last year about a drastic decrease.