David Basham

OK, cheers, Darren.

That's great. Sorry to alarm you! Maybe the larvae vary in colouring?? These were on Blackthorn (now you've got me worried!) and the Hawthorn above it last week at Chelsworth. Had assumed they were padella but maybe not.

I wouldn't be definite on it but I have a suspicion that padella, rorrella pics/text are round the wrong way. Several webs the other day near you on Blackthorn/Hawthorn with larvae like pic 3, which must be padella?

If anyone tries to convince you that farmers are biodiversity bad guys.. This picture was sent to me today from a really pleased senior member of that community, amazed at the quantity of mining bees in his field edges this year, after we started having a proper look last year.

Ah OK, thanks for replying anyway. I suppose the same question could be asked about getting close to them to photograph them. I had never worn that shirt in the field before and never struggled more. Coincidence? Maybe. Thought I'd raise the subject to see if the idea had any merit.

Ah now that is interesting.

I think it's the general blueness, Vanna, and you may be right the pattern as well. More research needed!

A silly post but have you noticed a difference in bee flightiness and difficulty of capture depending on what you're wearing? I struggled more than normal to get close to things yesterday. Jazzy blue shirt to blame? @vannabartlett.bsky.social @dustygedge.bsky.social @timstrudwick.bsky.social

Antennae are consistent for scot/trim.

Think our best guess might be early emergence summer brood, or some other sort of phenological weirdness. It has long mandibles with just a faint hint of emargination on the top side, no spine and red on terg and sternites. Plus those pale tarsi.

Andrena dilemma. Not a species many will have heard of. Taken last week in inland Suffolk with features of scotica and/or summer brood trimmerana. Alongside spring trimmerana and scotica. Interesting specimen.

Over-wintering critters. Managed uncut, ungrazed area on meadow on left. Cut and sheep-grazed main meadow on right, 10m from 1st site. 30 seconds sweep netting yesterday. 150 plays 20.

Good time of the year to check old Yarrow seed heads for Coleophora argentula larval cases. Around 4 found in 5 mins of looking in High Suffolk this afternoon.

Small Tortoiseshell butterfly

Lots of B. terrestris queens, a B. pratorum queen, a couple of Commas and a Small Tortoiseshell on early Salix and Prunus blossom in High Suffolk today. Probably 3 or 4 male Brimstone about along the ditches and hedgerows.

First male Anthophora plumipes, some Bombus terrestris and a B. pratorum queen in Christchurch Park in Ipswich this afternoon. Quite a lot of Crocus flowering with some early Prunus out or nearly out. 🌞☀️

Bristly Oxtongue still hanging on in Suffolk yesterday for #wildflowerhour

Rhinocyllus conicus from Suffolk farmland in late November 2024.

What appears to be Rhinocyllus conicus from Suffolk farmland last week. If confirmed as that in due course it's a large, but short-rostrumed, weevil that feeds on Cirsium and Carduus, amongst others, thistles and was introduced to N. America as a thistle-biocontrol agent, with predictable results.

I agree.

My #BlackFlyDay offering. Scenopinus fenestralis from off the lounge window in June this year. Domestic #IPM in action.

😀

Lovely, Mark, you've got a geriatric old boy there.

#wildflowerhour in Ipswich today 24-11-24. Managed an urban #thewinter10 with Dandelion, Yarrow, Daisy, Shepherd's Purse, Hedgerow Cranesbill, Wood Avens, Red Deadnettle, Chickweed, Black Nightshade, Dog Violet.

Solva marginata Drab Wood-soldierfly In Stonham, Mid-Suffolk in July 2024. Picture by Rab King 2024

Well it is #Flyday
Here's one of my highlights this year. The Xylomyid, Solva marginata or Drab Wood-soldierfly, which I was lucky enough to be shown along a sunny riverside hedge by farmer, Graham Denny, at Stonham in Mid-Suffolk in July. Lovely picture by Rab King.
#soldierflies
#FlyFriday

Tenthredo baetica from North Suffolk June 2023

Here's mine from North Suffolk June 2023. ID help at the time from @andymus.bsky.social if memory serves.
#Sawfly
#symphyta

Seen it in Suffolk a year or two ago. Great looking things.

I'll have a look sometime, thanks, Roger.

Add please.

Only just above freezing today in Ipswich but some #streetweeds still flowering in sheltered spots. In this case Black Nightshade - Solanum nigrum I think.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social

Thank you, Barry, will do.

Phytomyza agromyzina mine I think on Cornus last week in north Suffolk.
#Agromyzidae
#Leafminers
#Diptera
#Flies