Cool but fine day at 16c with a slight chill in the northerly wind. The Japanese Knotweed was in bloom along the edge of the sewage works and river, but not a lot of hoverflies about probably due to the fact that a few Hornet were patrolling the plants and eating anything in their path. I did record 12 species with the best being Eupeodes latifasciatus, Myathropa florea and Sericomyia silentis. Another find was a fair size patch of the fragrant Round-leaved Mint which attracted a few of the smaller hoverflies like Platycheirus granditarsus and Rhingia campestris.
Not many other insect about either, however I did take a photo of a leaf-mine on Holly of the fly Phytomyza ilicis. Other sightings were Red-legged Shieldbug, 2 Hornet, Harlequin Ladybird and micro moth Celypha lacunana. About 20 Swallow and House Martin were over the sewage beds.
Harlequin Ladybird
Phytomyza ilicis - leaf-mine on Holly
Red-legged Shieldbug
Rhingia campestris
Round-leaved Mint one of the latest blooming plants in the valley.
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