Last day of the long weekend was spent walking round my local patch. Weather was cloudy most of the time with brief intervals of sunshine. I recorded 22 species of hoverfly in noticeably smaller numbers. Highlights being Eristalis intricaria (m&f), Helophilus trivittatus (2) and Sericomyia silentis (11). Eristalis tenax (48) was the commonest species. Nothing else unusual in the insect world.
Although it hit 20c and was largely fine, the day had an autumn feel about it. Lots of the late summer flowers are now going over like Angelica, Hemp Agrimony and Common Fleabane. Wild Carrot is hanging on as is Water Mint and Japanese Knotweed is now blooming, but Ivy is a few weeks away yet. Numbers of hoverflies will start to drop dramatically over the next few weeks and be almost gone by October.
Today I recorded 23 species of hoverfly with highlights being another Rhingia rostrata (f), Volucella pellucens (m & f) and some late Chrysogaster solstitialis (7) on Wild Carrot. Eristalis pertinax (30) was again the commonest species.
6 species of butterfly were seen headed by Red Admiral (4), the only other insect of note was the Tortoise Shieldbug (2).
Weather was a bit hit and miss today, with sunny periods interspersed with dark cloud at times but thankfully no rain. The temperature was noticeably cooler (15c) in the stiff south westerly breeze. It was hard going at times but I did manage to record a healthy 26 species of hoverfly. Highlights being a too brief to photograph Eriozona syrphoides (f), Rhingia rostrata (f) and Helophilus trivittatus (2f) that seems to be having a good second brood. Eristalis pertinax (60) was the most numerous.
Other notable insects included another 3 of the micro moth Phaulernis fulviguttella and the butterfly Small Copper. Also new for the valley was the Sycamore white-spot fungus (Cristulariella depraedans).
At the end of August the Devilsbit Scabious comes into bloom at the river bank opposite Newtown bungalows and is usually good for hoverflies for a couple of weeks. But on Wednesday it was in fine form with it being sunny and warm in the afternoon after morning rain. 16 species of hoverfly were recorded just on this plant a full list below.
Another warm day of dipping hat in river to cool me down. 28 species of hoverfly recorded, best were Platycheirus rosarum (f), Scaeva pyrastri (4), Cheilosia bergenstammi (first of summer brood), Xanthogramma pedissequum (3m) and Sericomyia silentis (m). Eristalis numbers building nicely with pertinax (60) the most numerous.
Other stuff seen included a very late Dark Green Fritillary and the gall mite Acalitus brevitarsus on Alder which was new for the valley and the Dark Giant Horsefly, which was a beast.
Dark Giant Horsefly
Last Thursday (30th July) I woke up in the middle of the night with a high fever a burning hacking cough and I lost my voice briefly. I managed to phone work who told me not to come in until I had a covid-19 test. Luckily on Tuesday I had a negative test result after self-isolating and returned to work this Thursday (5th August). I spoke to the company boss and the scenario of what would have happened if I had tested positive. He said the company would immediately close and everyone in the factory would have to have a test before returning to work, a specialist company would have to come in to deep clean the workplace and the company would lose £100,000 pound a day - so no pressure there then. My brief illness was diagnosed as a sinus infection and was gone in 48 hours.
So back in the free world today I visited Gilfach, Top Llangynwyd which is particularly good at this time of year for hoverflies, with lots of flowers in bloom including large beds of Hogweed, Angelica, Creeping Thistle, Hedge Woundwort, Common Fleabane, Herb Robert, Oxford Ragwort and a few Buddleah bushes. Even though it was 30c I recorded 28 species of hoverfly. Pipizella viduata, Platycheirus manicatus and Helophilus hybridus were new for the year taking me to 102 for the year. Lots of good hoverflies included Dasysyrphus albostriatus, Parasyrphus lineola, Xanthogramma pedissequum, Riponnensia splendens and Helophilus pendulus. Lots of Eristalis about today with pertinax (80) the most numerous.
Lots of butterflies about with Small Tortoiseshell (20) the highest numbered species. A few 6-spot Burnets were still on the wing and more interesting flies included Nowicka ferox (Tachinid), 19 Phasia hemiptera (Tachinid) and Physocephala rufipes (Conopid).
6-spot Burnet (moth)
