Caerau revisited

 A quick walk around the Caerau circuit on Wednesday brought in much the same 31 species of hoverfly but with high numbers of Helophilus pendulus (33) and Sericomyia silentis (24). It is still the one Ivy blossom in bloom so looks like the other bushes will keep the season going well into October. Finally had Eupeodes lapponicus and Eupeodes luniger for the year taking me to 102 species for 2024 so far. Highlights were more sightings of Volucella zonaria and Rhingia rostrata both having exceptional years. Eristalis tenax (50) still the commonest hoverfly.

Volucella zonaria

Eupeodes latifasciatus - male & female

Eristalis nemorum - diagnostic flight behaviour

Cheilosia impressa - late record

 

Maesteg cemetery

 Much of the Ivy has yet to open (60%), the parts that did held 22 species. Highlights being Eupeodes latifasciatus, Scaeva pyrastri, Rhingia rostrata, Helophilus hybridus, Sericomyia silentis and Volucella pellucens. Most numerous species was Eristalis tenax (60).Also on the Ivy were a few Red Admiral and a Brimstone (not seen many this year). Ivy Bees (5) were also present as was a single Tachina fera.

Sericomyia silentis

Volucella pellucens

Syrphus torvus - you can just make out the diagnostic hairy eyes for this species within the family

Ivy Bee

Tachina fera

Caerau - street lanes and old railway path

 The first of the Ivy has opened in the back lanes of Treharne Road and one particular bush was dripping with hoverflies. Of the 30 species recorded today 24 of them were at this single spot. The rest of the species were recorded along the old railway path behind Railway Terrace, where there is a small patch of Michaelmas Daisy. Highlights for this time of year included - Dasysyrphus tricinctus, Eupeodes latifasciatus, Scaeva pyrastri, Helophilus hybridus, Helophilus trivittatus and Volucella zonaria. Most numerous hoverflies where Eristalis tenax (65) and surprisingly Melanostoma mellinum (45). Plenty of other insects were about too, some of which I photographed.

Small Ivy in bloom with many species of hoverfly

Scaeva pyrastri

Volucella zonaria

Dasysyrphus tricinctus

Helophilus trivittatus

Eristalis horticola

Myathropa florea

Rhingia rostrata

Sericomyia silentis

Dark Giant Horsefly

Green Shieldbug - late instar

Harlequin ladybird

Short-winged Conehead

Ivy Bee - first I've seen in a couple of years.