Post your insects

[John 2]

Thanks David.

Know what you mean John. My hit rate is pretty poor.

Geoff, I think you may have nailed the first one as a wasp. It's the only view that I have but it looks like a Mason Wasp with that broad black band - perhaps. It originally had what I thought was noise in the bands but I now think might have been indentations that the Mason wasp also seems to have. In my ignorance, I applied some selective noise reduction.

[John 2]

I've never seen one of these in the garden before. Helophilus??

[Geoff F]

They are relatively common, John, but normally quite scattered and I only see 5 or 6 in an average good day. That one is female and probably H. pendulus although I need a side view of the hind leg to be absolutely certain.

Found some caterpillars devastating a young oak tree.



Grey Dagger Moth. Also a group of Buff Tip Moths





I always find groups like this are difficult to photograph if you want to show them as a group.

[orlcam88]

really nice photos Geoff. I remember as a child how caterpillars were constantly found in the spring/summer months. I hardly see them at all now. I think the last time I saw one was about 2 years ago.

[marlunn]

Common Darter on a cool day - it was happy to sit still for me for a shot

[bnnrcn]

Thanks everyone for sharing so nice images , I think I have to follow this thread every day

[Geoff F]

If you grow cabbages you will still find plenty of caterpillars!

The others do tend to hide away and many are reliant on just one type of food plant. In this case, I saw the missing leaves before relalising that caterpillars were responsible.

There are probably less than 10 species which I find regularly each year. Although more are available if you spend some time rummaging around amongst the grass or underneath leaves etc.

[John 2]

I think you have succeeded Geoff. You've covered a fair bit of behaviour as well the physical aspects of the caterpillars themselves.

Mark, one of the other advantages of a cold (and presumably dullish) day is that you don't have to cope with those extraordinary highlights on the eyes.

[deetheturk]

Another nice capture John

[deetheturk]

Wonderful images Geoff, well captured!

David

[deetheturk]

Lovely shot Mark, well done mate

[marlunn]

Thanks David, the lower temp here helps - they are more prone to sitting still unless you push too close the Sigma 150 means I can get up close and personal photographically without getting too close physically.

John, yep - but the diffused light is still high enough to do hand held without flash = win all the way !

Geoff, #3 - why do I think of Dougal from the Magic Roundabout when I look at that one

[jdathebowler]

Hoverfly Syritta pipiens seen yesterday in the back garden.

[orlcam88]

humm, I don't like cabbage but I'll grow some just for the caterpillars! besides I have lots a neighbors I can give to them!

If you grow cabbages you will still find plenty of caterpillars!

The others do tend to hide away and many are reliant on just one type of food plant. In this case, I saw the missing leaves before relalising that caterpillars were responsible.

There are probably less than 10 species which I find regularly each year. Although more are available if you spend some time rummaging around amongst the grass or underneath leaves etc.

[Geoff F]

For the past week I've been laid low by a different sort of bug. Some odd virus which has been going around here. So for a week, I haven't left the house; but over the worst now and managed a little walk in the woods today.

Nothing of any great excitement to be found but here is something slightly different. I think it might be a Common Damsel Bug.



Tried several angles, and settings, but never quite got what I wanted. However, I think this is the best that I managed.

[deetheturk]

Lovely capture Geoff, glad to hear you are on the mend bud

[Geoff F]

Thanks David.

Today has been dull with drizzle here; but will try another gentle walk tomorrow.

[jdathebowler]

Here's 2 from today.
Hoverfly Syrphus by jdathebowler, on Flickr

Green Bottle Fly Lucilia sericata by jdathebowler, on Flickr

[Geoff F]

Nice uncommon bug today. But like so many of the rarer species, he was hiding away under overhanging leaves so it was difficult to find any suitable angles.





Found some Common Darters egg laying yesterday. Flying together with the male holding his mate by the head, with his tail, while she deposited eggs into a pond. But moving around far too fast for me to photograph. And they keep dodging around various plant stems instead of doing it in open water.

Well I found some more today at a different site; so had another go.



Certainly not a prizewinning shot, but the best I have managed so far. Using high speed flash.

[Cantab]

Geoff, a nice collection of photos. What is the orange "uncommon bug"?