Blaencaerau

 I've had a chest infection of some sort for the last five days, but now it has subsided. So I felt strong enough for a walk. Blaencaerau again produced a 40 species day, with lots of the larger and more colourful species emerging probably due to the fact that the Ground Elder and Bramble are starting to Blossom. Five new species for the year made this May my highest number of species for May (currently 74) meaning I have reached 80 species before June. New for the year were Chrysotoxum festivum, Parasyrphus annulatus, Parasyrphus vittiger, Anasymia contracta and Volucella bombylans. Other highlights included yet more Platycheirus tarsalis (recordyear), Sericomyia lappona and Microdon Myrmicae agg. Most numerous species was Melanostoma scalare (35). Looking at the forecast I should be able to get out one more time before June.

Chrysotoxum festivum

Cheilosia albitarsis s.l.

Dasysyrphus albostriatus

Sericomyia lappona

Volucella bombylans (plumata form)

Anasymia contracta (record shot)

Caerau

 A walk round Caerau on Sunday just before the rains came in got me 26 species. Highlights included 3 more new for the year in Platycheirus granditarsus, Melanogaster hirtella and Chalcosyrphus nemorum. Other species seen were Platycheirus tarsalis, Cheilosia fraterna and Merodon equestris. The most numerous hoverfly was Melanostoma scalare (35).

Merodon equestris

Platycheirus granditarsus

Platycheirus rosarum

insects this past week

 

Cantharis rustica - Soldier Beetle

Common Heath - day flying moth

Heather Shieldbug - new for the valley

Pachytodes cerambyciformis (speckled longhorn) - 30+ emergence

hoverflies from last week

 Fine weather continued through the week, so I had visits to both Blaencaerau (45 species) and Gilfach (west) (27 species). Hawthorn is now starting to fade after an early blossom. The Blaencaerau visit was a May record for number of species in a day. Another 10 new for the year species takes me to 70 for the year. Between both sites highlights included Platycheirus tarsalis, Chrysotoxum Cautum, Melangyna cincta (my 3rd record only), Sericomyia lappona, Erizona syrphoides and Microdon myrmicae/mutablis agg. Commonest hoverfly was Sphaerophoria sibirica (65).

Cheilosia illustrata

Leucozona lucorum

Pipza austriaca

Myopa testacea

 Conopid flies are usually difficult to identify especially Myopa, but I think I got this one just right.

Following the identification key, this one comes out quite easily to Myopa testacea

weekly round up

 With the fine weather continuing I visited Lletty Brongu woods (27 species) and Spelter (28 species) this week. New for the year include 15 more species taking me past 50 for the year. Highlights included Criorhina berberina, Merodon equestris and Didea fasciata. Most common species being Melanostoma scalare (57).

Baccha elongata

Criorhina berberina - oxycanthae form

Eristalis horticola

Merodon equestris

Parasyrphus nigritarsis - recently emerged larva feeding on Green Dock Beetle eggs - just left of its spent white eggshell

Rhingia campestris

Blaencaerau

 With all the fine weather, some tree blossoms are flowering earlier than normal, like Hawthorn and Rowan, so there has been a big increase in hoverfly species for the time of year. New for the year are coming thick and fast. At Blaencaerau today there were 25 species recorded of which 10 were new for the year. Highlights included Platycheirus tarsalis, Chrysogaster virescens and Neoascia meticulosa. Most common hoverfly was Platycheirus albimanus (29). If the weather continues May will be a good month.

Cheilosia fraterna

Xylota segnis

Chrysotoxum arcuatum

Crab-spiders are out in force, with hoverflies falling victim like this Syrphus ribesii and also Syrphus torvus, Cheilosia impressa, Cheilosia vernalis and Cheilosia variabilis.

First longhorn beetle of the year in Rhagium bifasciatum