6. Neria cibaria, 13th May 2000, Kilcolman Bog NR, Co. Cork. This species of ‘Stilt-fly’ is common and widespread in the UK (though this is one of only three or four I have seen) and is found in damp habitats. This one is feeding on a (probably) already deceased crane-fly.
The most springy of spring days yet on the southern edge of the Eston Hills today with the highlights the parasitic flies Tachina ursina (below) and Gymnochaeta viridis (both new for the year), as well as several Small Tortoiseshell, a few Peacock and the odd Buff-tailed Bumblebee queen.
Had a very interesting walk with Cleveland Nats. and the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust in Saltburn Gill on Saturday 28th.We were mainly looking at spring flowers, though we also came across the slime mould Badhamia utricularis and Bay Fungus (Polyporus badius) both of which were new to me!
Took a rest from the microscope for a walk along the southern edge of Eston Hills. Highlight was at least five pairs of Lapwing displaying and scraping, Buzzard, and several pairs of Bullfinch, one of my favourite birds. I do like a well upholstered passerine!
Just going through the last of my specimens from 2025 and came across this from St Helen’s Wood in Hastings, Trematocephalus cristatus, a nationally scarce money spider with distinctive head ornamentation. Only ever seen it from Flatropers Wood in East Sussex before this. Nice!
5. Saturnia pavonia (Emperor Moth), 9th May, 1992, Commondale Moor, North East Yorks. Reasonably common over much of the UK on moors and open countryside but still a spectacular beast!
Ethmia bipunctella (Bordered Ermel), 22nd June 2001, Rye Harbour NR, East Sussex. An uncommon micro moth of coastal shingle in south-eastern England. The larvae feed on the flowers and leaves of Vipers Bugloss.
3. Philonicus albiceps (Dune Robberfly), 14th July, 1991, South Gare & Coatham Sands SSSI, North East Yorks. A common robberfly of sand dunes all around the UK coasts, where it preys on a range of invertebrates (in this case a dolichopodid fly).
Cool, congrats mate.
2. Wood White (Leptidea sp),5th May 2000, Kilcolman Bog NR, Co. Cork. One of two species which can only be separated by dissection, though this is almost certainly Cryptic Wood White (Leptidea juvernica) based on the location.
1.Mottled Bee Fly (Thyridanthrax fenestratus), 26th June, 1999 nr. Beaulieu Road Station, New Forest. This beauty is a Nationally Scarce and Section 41 Priority species, the larvae of which are parasitoids of Heath Sand Wasp (Ammophila pubescens). Only on heathland in southern England in the UK.
Last Christmas, my wife had several hundred of my slides, mainly invertebrates, taken between the late 1980s and the early 2000s, digitised. Most have never seen the light of day so I thought it would be a good idea to post some of them here.