Thursday 22 June 2017

Darren Woods 21/06/17

Hopefully this is the last day with temperatures above 30c, a sharp drop back to 20c will bring back out most of the insect families. Today in the dappled sunlight of the woods 14 species of hoverfly were seen with Leucozona laternaria being the best, also potted a Platycheirus that keys out to occultus [which would be new for valley], but I'll have to wait until the end of year for confirmation, when I send the specimens I've gathered to HRS. Due to the lack of flies other families and species become more prevalent and I spotted an unusual harvestman in Dicranopalpus ramosos which is new for me and probably the valley too. Meadow Browns are starting to emerge with half a dozen seen today.

 Dicranopalpus ramosos - identified by the combination of forked pedipalpus and resting posture with legs stretched to the sides.
 Leucozona laternaria
Chrysogaster solstitialis - should become very common over the coming weeks

2 comments:

Paul tabor said...

hopefully the hogweed is flowering now Martyn Cwmfelin park may be worth a look next couple of weeks i may even have a look on sunday now weather is cooler

Martyn Hnatiuk said...

Looking back over records the earliest I have for hogweed is 7th July, so I think its still a bit early. Best bet for now will be the hemlock water droplet at Lletty woods, still got about 12 days left for them. I'm going to try a few places we haven't visited yet like Cwm Sychbant Valley [lots of beech] and forestry paths above the golf course. The clear-fell area above Cwmdu should be worth a look as well once the Willowherb come up.