Lower Valley weekend strolls

Some fine weather this weekend meant I could walk the hedgerows and woods of the lower valley. I visited Lletty Brongu Lanes, Pont Rhyd-y-Cyff Lanes and Cwm Goblyn Beech Woods. A total of 36 species of hoverfly was recorded even though I'm still missing some common species for the year, nevertheless my total is now 90 for the year. New for the year included Lejogaster metallina (1), Cheilosia scutellata (4), Dasysyrphus pinastri (1) and Didea fasciata (2m).  The Hogweed species were out in good numbers - Cheilosia illustrata (66), Chrysogaster solstitialis (178) and surprisingly Orthonevra nobilis (16). Some of the better species included Riponnensia splendens (2), Scaeva pyrastri (1f), Volucella pellucens (2) and Criorhina berberina (5) three of which were of the scarce form "oxycanthae".

 Volucella pellucens

 Gall mite on Beech - Hartigiola annulipes - new for valley

Beech woods at Cwm Goblyn

Tree Damselbug - confirmed on Irecord and new for the valley