Sychbant valley

 Went out early today to avoid the mid day heat. I walked the entire Sychbant valley and mountain ridges. This involved three 1km squares, two of which were previously "0" squares for hoverflies. Cwm Sychbant [SS8490] held twelve species while the zero squares of of Moel Sychbant [SS8489] and Waun-Lleust Wen [SS8389] both held 11 species each. There are only now three squares left in the valley with zero hoverfly records - Cefn Ydfa, Moel Cynhordy (north), Moel Cynhordy (south) - I will get round to these in due time.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly a female Volucella zonaria near the start of the walk. Other goodies included Leucozona laternaria, Scaeva pyrastri (migrant) and a rather late Sericomyia lappona. 

With the Bramble flowering a little bit late and the Hogweed flowering a little bit early. It's the first time that they have been in flower together as far as I can remember. Moel Sychbant and Waun-Llest Wen both had the rare longhorn beetle Stictoleptura rubra. Lots of Ringlet butterflies about too, as was a second brood Comma. Otherwise the insects were the usual suspects.

Volucella zonaria

Leucozona laternaria

Scaeva pyrastri

Volucella pellucens

Stictoleptura rubra