Garnwen/Drysiog loop

Weather started off cloudy but got better and warmer [20c] as the day went on, this was mirrored by the hoverflies and insects which became more numerous as the day progressed. Japanese knotweed was in full bloom and attracted hundreds of hoverflies the most numerous being Meliscaeva cinctella [140], Episyrphus balteatus [100] and Eristalis pertinax [75]. Also had a record count of 17 Sericomyia silentis. Up until now I have only seen them feeding on purple flowers such as Heather, Black Knapweed and Devilsbit Scabious, but today they were seen feeding on Japanese Knotweed, Common Ragwort and Angelica for some reason I've yet to fathom. 25 species of hoverfly were seen today, which is pretty good for mid September. Also came across a single leaf-cutter bee that looks new for the valley, I've put it on Irecord for confirmation but it fits the description for Brown-footed Leaf-cutter Bee and the keys bear this out. Also noticeable today was the vast amount of "pug" larva on Common Ragwort [100+], Sid will ID it for me later, I had 19 of these on 1 plant. So a good day all in all

 Chrysogaster solstitialis

 Helophilus pendulus

 Leucozona glaucia - all yellow scutellum and orange based legs

 Leucozona laternaria - similar but note partially black scutellum and much darker legs

 Meliscaeva auricollis

 Sericomyia silentis - on Angelica

 Xylota jakutorum

 Xylota segnis

possible/probable Brown-footed Leaf-cutter Bee   [confirmed on Irecord - new for valley]

 and again

Pug larva A/W ID - 19 on 1 plant, 100+ in total. [Goldenrod Pug - ID by Paul Parsons]