Cwm Darren Woods, Llangynwyd

With Hawthorn now in full bloom, Cwm Darren Woods exploded with hoverflies and other insects today. I recorded 30 species something I haven't done before in May. The most noticeable feature today were the masses of Pipiza species everywhere. Pipiza austriaca is easy enough to Identify but the other four species are not and need to be netted or potted for ID. I have looked at some specimens under magnification in the pot and I think I have another 2 species (noctiluca, lugubris) at least with another specimen suggesting a rarer species (fenestrata), but will have to wait till the end of the year when Roger Morris (Hoverfly Scheme Recorder) does the determinations of my specimens. Another welcome site was the return of the common hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus. This fly migrates from North Africa every year and lays its eggs in the autumn. Over the last few years it has been mild enough for the eggs and larva to survive, so March and April the adults start emerging and numbers then build up with new arrivals. But this year the bad winter must have killed off all the larva and none were seen in March, April and the best part of May. Today however the first batch of presumed migrants touched down in the valley with good numbers recorded. New for the year included (beside the Pipiza and Episyrphus) Myathropa Florea. Good species were also recorded in Parasyrphus punctulatus, Cheilosia fraterna, Rhingia rostrata, Sericomyia lappona and Melanostoma mellinum.

Other insects were noticeable on the Hawthorn including 2 Longhorn Beetles in Rhagium bifasciatum and Pachytodes cerambyciformis. The usual bees were headed by Tree Bumblebee and moths included Silver Ground Carpet. About 15 new blooms were seen for the year with Guelder Rose now in bloom. Odonata were represented by Blue-tailed, Azure and Large Red Damselfly and Broad-bodied Chaser. Wood Warbler and Tree Pipit were the pick of the birds as well as large numbers of Song Thrush (20+).

 Azure Damselfly

 Silver Ground Carpet

 This tiny ladybird which I am presuming is a 10-spot Ladybird without the ten spots, flew out of the bushes and landed straight on my arm, bit me and started drinking my blood, something I haven't seen ladybirds do before. After a bit of research I found that when the aphid population dies out and they run out of food and water, they are not adverse to biting humans for nourishment, Even prolonged spells of good weather has its drawbacks.

 longhorn - Rhagium bifasciatum

Episyrphus balteatus

 Pipiza - a myriad of these were seen today but can't be ID'd from a photo with confidence

 Myathropa florea

Cheilosia impressa - the all dark legs and yellow bases to the wings in the females separate this species from all other Cheilosia (36 species of them),