Spelter

 The weekend has been a bit of a washout, but I did manage a few hours between the rain showers at Spelter. New for the year was Scaeva selenitica and also new for the 1km square which is now on 73 species. I haven't recorded here in June and July so a couple of visits should prove fruitful. The area is the best place for Wild Parsnip in the valley so fingers crossed. Other highlights included Xanthogramma pedissequum, Merodon equestris (rosy tipped ssp.) and Myathropa florea -which is only my second record of the year for this otherwise common hoverfly. Xylota segnis (14) was the most common hoverfly.

Broad-bodied Chaser was the first Dragonfly of the year along with Azure Damselfly joining the Large Red Damselfly. Gorse Shieldbug was also noted as well as the Alder Gall mite - Aceria nalepai and the long-legged fly - Argya diaphana.

Merodon equestris

Volucella bombylans

Broad-bodied Chaser

Azure Damselfly

Argyra diaphana

Gorse Shieldbug

cars knackered

 Car spluttering on the weekend, 2 fuel injectors gone, supposedly a common fault on Insignias but it took 11 years to happen. Anyway fixed now for a pretty price of £300. So Monday was the last day of dry weather for a while, so had to get out, with Blaencaerau the obvious choice again. I recorded 37 species of hoverfly in a little over 3 hours. Ground Elder now in full bloom as well as most of the Bramble. New for the year were Eupeodes latifasciatus and Volucella pellucens. Other highlights included Chrysogaster virescens,  Pipiza austriaca and Volucells bombylans. Most common species was Syritta Pipiens (27).

Eristalis nemorum

Sericomyia silentis

Volucella bombylans

Volucella pellucens

Glyphipterix forsterella

Hairy Shieldbug

Large Skipper

Blaencaerau

 I've had a chest infection of some sort for the last five days, but now it has subsided. So I felt strong enough for a walk. Blaencaerau again produced a 40 species day, with lots of the larger and more colourful species emerging probably due to the fact that the Ground Elder and Bramble are starting to Blossom. Five new species for the year made this May my highest number of species for May (currently 74) meaning I have reached 80 species before June. New for the year were Chrysotoxum festivum, Parasyrphus annulatus, Parasyrphus vittiger, Anasymia contracta and Volucella bombylans. Other highlights included yet more Platycheirus tarsalis (recordyear), Sericomyia lappona and Microdon Myrmicae agg. Most numerous species was Melanostoma scalare (35). Looking at the forecast I should be able to get out one more time before June.

Chrysotoxum festivum

Cheilosia albitarsis s.l.

Dasysyrphus albostriatus

Sericomyia lappona

Volucella bombylans (plumata form)

Anasymia contracta (record shot)

Caerau

 A walk round Caerau on Sunday just before the rains came in got me 26 species. Highlights included 3 more new for the year in Platycheirus granditarsus, Melanogaster hirtella and Chalcosyrphus nemorum. Other species seen were Platycheirus tarsalis, Cheilosia fraterna and Merodon equestris. The most numerous hoverfly was Melanostoma scalare (35).

Merodon equestris

Platycheirus granditarsus

Platycheirus rosarum

insects this past week

 

Cantharis rustica - Soldier Beetle

Common Heath - day flying moth

Heather Shieldbug - new for the valley

Pachytodes cerambyciformis (speckled longhorn) - 30+ emergence

hoverflies from last week

 Fine weather continued through the week, so I had visits to both Blaencaerau (45 species) and Gilfach (west) (27 species). Hawthorn is now starting to fade after an early blossom. The Blaencaerau visit was a May record for number of species in a day. Another 10 new for the year species takes me to 70 for the year. Between both sites highlights included Platycheirus tarsalis, Chrysotoxum Cautum, Melangyna cincta (my 3rd record only), Sericomyia lappona, Erizona syrphoides and Microdon myrmicae/mutablis agg. Commonest hoverfly was Sphaerophoria sibirica (65).

Cheilosia illustrata

Leucozona lucorum

Pipza austriaca

Myopa testacea

 Conopid flies are usually difficult to identify especially Myopa, but I think I got this one just right.

Following the identification key, this one comes out quite easily to Myopa testacea

weekly round up

 With the fine weather continuing I visited Lletty Brongu woods (27 species) and Spelter (28 species) this week. New for the year include 15 more species taking me past 50 for the year. Highlights included Criorhina berberina, Merodon equestris and Didea fasciata. Most common species being Melanostoma scalare (57).

Baccha elongata

Criorhina berberina - oxycanthae form

Eristalis horticola

Merodon equestris

Parasyrphus nigritarsis - recently emerged larva feeding on Green Dock Beetle eggs - just left of its spent white eggshell

Rhingia campestris

Blaencaerau

 With all the fine weather, some tree blossoms are flowering earlier than normal, like Hawthorn and Rowan, so there has been a big increase in hoverfly species for the time of year. New for the year are coming thick and fast. At Blaencaerau today there were 25 species recorded of which 10 were new for the year. Highlights included Platycheirus tarsalis, Chrysogaster virescens and Neoascia meticulosa. Most common hoverfly was Platycheirus albimanus (29). If the weather continues May will be a good month.

Cheilosia fraterna

Xylota segnis

Chrysotoxum arcuatum

Crab-spiders are out in force, with hoverflies falling victim like this Syrphus ribesii and also Syrphus torvus, Cheilosia impressa, Cheilosia vernalis and Cheilosia variabilis.

First longhorn beetle of the year in Rhagium bifasciatum

Spelter, Maesteg

 Spelter, Maesteg [SS8593] is the square I've chosen to survey at least once a month this year in the hope of getting 100 species for the 1km square. It is currently on 64 species. First walk around it looked pretty desolate and flowerless at this time of year, but all it took was one late blooming Sallow tree to attract 17 species of hoverfly. New for the square were Platycheirus clypeatus, Platycheirus tarsalis, Cheilosia albitarsis and Neoascia podagrica taking it to 68 species. so not a bad start. May should be much more livelier. The first Rhingia campestris and Syrphus vitripennis of the year were seen and the most numerous species was Platycheirus albimanus (45).

On the other insect front were the first of the year in Tree Bumblebee and the moths Adela cuprella and Cydia ulicetana. Birds were pretty quiet with singles of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap of note.

Rhingia campestris

Cydia ulicetana

Blaencaerau

 First real walk around the site this year. Sunny weather and quite warm (16c) out of the cooler wind. I recorded 19 species of hoverfly which is pretty good for this time of year. New for the year were  Chrysotoxum arcuatum, Platycheirus clypeatus, Sphaerophoria scripta, Cheilosia albitarsis, Cheilosia bergenstammi, Chelosia pagana, Neoascia podagrica, Pipizella viduata and Syritta pipiens. Commonest species was as expected - Platycheirus albimanus (75).

Lots of butterflies about today including Orange Tip (10), Red Admiral (1) and Small Copper (1). First 14-spot Ladybird and Green Tiger Beetles of the year. Amongst the bees was an Ashy mining-bee.

Cuckooflowers and Dandelion were in full bloom but Sallow has mostly gone over and none of the other tree species are yet to bloom.

On the bird front some summer visitors have returned including Willow Warbler (9), Chiffchaff (6), Whitethroat (1) and Cuckoo (1). The Llangynwyd rookery is up to 8 occupied nests.

Eristalis nemorum

Helophilus pendulus

Melanostoma mellinum

Sphareophoria scripta

Syrphus ribesii

Small Copper