Blaencaerau COP

After two days rain an excellent count of 37 species of hoverfly for August, plus a few specimens to determine later will add to the total. The late summer blooms of Hemp Agrimony, Devilsbit Scabious, Goldenrod, Fennel, Corn and Water Mint backed up by Angelica meant there was plenty of nectar about for hoverflies to feed particularly Water Mint that was covered in flies of all families. A good selection of highlights included Platycheirus peltatus, Chrysotoxum bicinctum, Epistrophe grossulariae, Eupeodes latifasciatus, Leucozona glaucia (scarce this year), Megasyrphus erraticus (2nd valley record), all 7 Eristalis including Eristalis intricarius and Eristalis rupium, all three Helophilus, Sericomyia silentis and a very late Volucella bombylans (plumata form).

Other flies included the Tachinids -  Tachina grossa and fera, Eriorthrix rufomaculata and Thelaria nigripes. 9 species of butterfly were headed by 2nd generation Small Heath and Small Copper. Moths included 3 Silver Y, Ancylis badiana and Udea lutealis. The usual bees, wasps and beetles plus a female Common Darter Dragonfly. I also came across mutated acorns on Pendunculate Oak. These were made by the Knopper Gall Wasp (Andricus quercuscalicis) and is new for the valley.

 Eristalis intricarius (female)

 Helophilus trivittatus

 Leucozona glaucia

 Volucella bombylans - plumata form, a very late individual

 Eriothrix rufomaculata

 Meadow Grasshopper

 Small Heath - 2nd generation

Mutated acorns of Pendunculate Oak, which is caused by a chemical reaction from the larva of the Knopper Gall Wasp. The wasp was introduced accidentally with imports in the late 1960's, since then it has spread throughout England and Wales and reached Ayrshire in Scotland by 2007. It causes serious damage to younger Oaks interfering with the reproductive cycle. A" Defra Plan" is being arranged to eradicate the wasp.