Xanthogramma stackelbergi

Although Paul Tabor has recorded this species twice in the valley before, this is my first Xanthogramma stackelbergi, which was only added to the British list as recently as 2012. It has a number of identification differences from the very similar Xanthogramma pedissequum. Of the 6 Glamorgan records 3 have been in the valley.

"This species closely resembles X. pedissequum and was added to the British list in 2012 by Alan Stubbs . Females have the black stripe on the frons very narrow and often petering out where it meets the lunule. The yellow spots on tergite 2 are squarer than in pedissequum and those on tergites 3 and 4 more oblique. The sides of the thorax below the level of the wingbases seem to always have four/five yellow spots, with two always located near the halteres (often missing in pedissequum). This is one of the best field characters Further differences exist in the wings and underside of the abdomen. The dark costal patch of stackelbergi does not usually extend below vein R3+4 in contrast to typical pedissequum. Viewed from the underside, both sexes have the narrow membranous area between the sternites and tergites mainly yellow except for a dark patch coinciding with the posterior transverse stripe of sternite 2, and this creates a dark band that is less than half of the length of this sternite i.e. much less extensively darkened than pedissequum. X. stackelbergi seems to be widespread but localised in southern Britain and to show a stronger attachment to woodland edges, rides and clearings than pedissequum."

Above quotes taken from Steven Falk's flickr page :-

https://www.flickr.com/photos/63075200@N07/sets/72157632548622900/

Below are some photos of typical Xanthogramma pedissequum.

Mynydd Caerau, Maesteg

Tried somewhere different for a change as hoverflies in the valley are hard to come by in this weather. I walked the tracks around the conifer forestry, when I got above 300 mts hoverflies started to appear in large numbers with good counts of Platycheirus albimanus (90), Episyrphus balteatus (70), Meliscaeva auricollis (85) and Syrphus species (130). I noted 23 species in total, with new for the year Leucozona glaucia (2), good records included Chrysotoxum arcuatum (3), Leucozona lucorum (1 late record), Sericomyia silentis (11) and Volucella bombylans (2).

Other insects of note were Bilberry Bumblebee, 5-spot Burnet (6) and Speckled Longhorn beetle (P. cerambyciformis). 11 species of butterfly were seen including Ringlet (130), Dark Green Fritillary (2) and the first Gatekeeper of the year.

Birds included Lesser Redpoll (3 pair), Stonechat (2 pair) and Whinchat (1 pair).

 Chrysotoxum arcuatum

 Sericomyia silentis

Dark Green Fritillary - cropped photo from 20 yds.

Lletty Brongu woods

After 4 hrs cutting the rainforest that was my garden, I took a stroll down the sewage works. Sadly the woods are starting to lose their magic with the Hemlock Water Droplet being overrun by Himalayan Balsam to the point of no return. I still managed to record 20 species of hoverfly, thanks mainly to the bramble. Leucozona laternaria (1) was hoverfly 88 for the year. Largest number was Neoascia podagrica (30) and good records include the common 5 Eristalis (arbustorum, horticola, nemorum, pertinax and tenax) together for the first time this year and 2 Volucella pellucens which seems to be having a good year so far. We really need a few days rain for numbers to increase dramatically as the flowers seem to have stopped producing pollen from lack of water.

Seven species of butterfly were headed by Ringlet (10), Painted Lady (1) and Red Admiral (1) and there wasn't much else about besides the Cleggs in the heat of the day.

 Leucozona laternaria - 1st of the year

Hawthorn Shieldbug

weekly roundup

Another round up of places visited and species seen this week after work. I had short walks around Garnwen, Mynydd Bach (s) and Blaencaerau. Recorded 34 species, with new for the year in Volucella zonaria (2), Epistrophe grossulariae (1) and Chrysotoxum festivum (1). Highest single day numbers were Episyrphus balteatus (85) and a Syrphus emergence (140). Other notable records were Scaeva pyrastri (2)and yet more Eupeodes lapponicus (1).

Lots of butterflies with new for the year Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Small Skipper. The Ringlet in particular with huge numbers (100+). I also found a new site for Dark Green Fritillary. Day moths have seen the first Willow Tortrix appearing and a new for me but not the valley in Mompha terminella. Notch-horned Clegg are out in big numbers and becoming annoying.

Goshawk has bred successfully in the upper valley raising 2 chicks, Swifts and House Martins are also breeding well in Caerau, Nanty, Maesteg, Garth and Llangynwyd.

 Eupeodes lapponicus - only recorded in Wales in the Llynfi Valley at two sites, 18 records so far in 2019, compared to six records from 2015 - 2018.

 Mompha terminella - new for me following its discovery in the valley by Sid in 2016, which was the first adult for Glamorgan then, other records have all been leaf-mines.

 Ringlet - out in huge numbers

Cwmfelin Park

Very hot today (28c) making hoverfly recording very difficult as they tend to disappear at 26c. Nevertheless I did manage 18 species all in low numbers. Syritta pipiens (15) was the highest recorded. Good records included Scaeva pyrastri (2) and Xylota sylvarum (1).

Plenty of Butterflies out with 8 species seen, headed by Painted Lady (12). A large emergence of the soldier fly Broad Centurion (100+) was witnessed and the first Rutpela maculata (8) longhorn beetle have emerged otherwise all the usual species. Another gall on Large-leaved Lime this time that of the patch gall mite Eriophyes leiosoma.

 Scaeva pyrastri

 Eupeodes corollae

 Rutpela maculata

 Painted Lady

Patch gall of Eriophyes leiosoma

Some more photos from this week

 Dasysyrphus albostriatus

 Sphaerophoria scripta

 Welsh Chafer

 Heather Fly - Bibio pomonae

Harlequin Ladybird - colour form 54 😜

weekly round up

Visited a few sites this week, Gilfach (west) [wed], Blaencaerau [fri] and Garnwen [sat]. It's been hard going as the last two weeks of June are usually the time when the spring hoverflies are finished and we are waiting for the summer hoverflies to emerge in the first week of July. It is also the lull between broods of the double brooded species. Nevertheless I recorded 54 species with new for the year Dasysyrphus tricinctus (83 for the year). Highest day count was Xylota segnis (60). Good records include Didea fasciata and Eupeodes lapponicus at Gilfach (west) and Chrysogaster virescens and Eupeodes lapponicus at Garnwen. Volucella bombylans and pellucens are also numerous.

Butterflies are again out in good numbers and species topped by 3 Small Pearl-bordered fritillary at Blaencaerau at the location of the old feeder reservoir which is now classed as rough damp grassland with a small pool. Dragonflies are emerging with Emperor, Keeled Skimmer, Broad-bodied Chaser, 4-spot Chaser and Common Darter noticeable and Damselflies represented by Common Blue, Azure, Emerald and Large Red damselflies. Other insects include the gall mite Eriophyes laevis on Alder and the fruit fly Urophora cardui.

 Dasysyrphus tricinctus

 Alder pimple galls of the gall mite Eriophyes laevis

 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

fruit fly - Urophora cardui [Canadian thistle gall fly]

Various sites saturday

I visited a few sites, mainly because of the improving weather. Lletty Brongu (11-1300hrs) - weather was overcast windy and cold. Cwmfelin Park (13-1400hrs) - weather improving but still a little cloudy. Gilfach (west), top Llan (1430-1630) - weather much better, fine and sunny for the most part.
I recorded 36 species between the 3 sites with Gilfach (west) coming out on top with 28 species. Most numerous species being Xylota segnis (110) and Meliscaeva auricollis (99). I also found a male Eupeodes lapponicus at Gilfach (west) a second site now in the valley for this national rarity. Also new for the year was Eristalis nemorum (1) and Helophilus trivittatus (1) both at Gilfach (west). Other notable records included Chrysotoxum bicinctum (1)Dasysyrphus pinastri (3), Dasysyrphus venustus agg. (1), Parhelophilus versicolor (1) and Criorhina berberina (2).

Other insects of note were the first Large Skipper (3) butterfly of the year at Cwmfelin Park and first Red Admiral of the year at Gilfach (west). Longhorns Pachytodes cerambyciformis (1) at Lletty Brongu woods and Rhagium bifasciatum (1) at Gilfach (west). I also photographed the "nail" gall of the gall mite Eriophyes tiliae on Large-leaved Lime at Cwmfelin Park.

 This small patch of Ground Elder and Hawthorn next to a spruce plantation is proving to be a mecca for rare hoverflies.

 "nail" gall of the gall mite Eriophyes tiliae on Large-leaved Lime.

 Large Skipper

 Volucella pellucens - now out in good numbers around Bramble

 and likewise for Volucella bombylans form plumata

Criorhina - an example of how not to take the right angle photograph. An above shot is needed to separate Criorhina floccosa and berberina "oxyacanthae" form, this one looks like floccosa but doesn't have the long hairs on tergite 2 and the frons projection is also more akin to berberina.

Garnwen/Gilfach (west) a good day

Sunday finally gave us some good weather so I visited Garnwen [1200-1500hrs] and Gilfach [1600-1800hrs]. Between the both of them I had 35 species. New for the year was Dasysyrphus pinastri (25) with a major emergence at Garnwen and a late and confiding Cheilosia chrysocoma (1) at Gilfach (west). A good count of Meliscaeva auricollis (55) was more than I recorded in the whole of 2018. Other good records included Baccha elongata (6), Chrysotoxum arcuatum (1) and Criorhina berberina (1).

 Cheilosia chrysocoma

 Chrysotoxum arcuatum

 Criorhina berberina

 Dasysyrphus pinastri

weekly round up (hoverflies)

Again I've been stopping off at places on the way home after work this week including Gilfach (west), Garnwen and Mynydd Bach (south). Besides the Criorhina asilica I recorded 43 species with new for the year in Chrysotoxum bicinctum, Volucella bombylans, and Volucella pellucens a few photos below.

 Cheilosia illustrata

 Meliscaeva auricollis

 Volucella bombylans

 Volucella pellucens

Xylota jakutorum

Criorhina asilica new for valley

I stopped off at top Llan (Gilfach (west) SS8487] on the way home from work knowing the area only gets direct sunlight after 3pm.. I was surprised to see quite a few Hawthorn trees still in full bloom as everywhere else in the valley they are know finished. I saw a total of 24 hoverfly species in little over an hour, but the Hawthorns in direct sunlight were buzzing with hoverflies (400+ in total). The prize was the valleys first ever Criorhina asilica a rare and not often seen species, there have been only 3 previous records for Glamorgan, last year at Margam (PTa) and 2 historical records from Glyneath and Cardiff areas. We have now recorded all the 4 species of Criorhina in the valley, which is no mean feat.

Looking down from the turn off to Mynydd Ty-Talwyn, the Criorhina asilica was photographed on a small blooming Hawthorn on the left (centre of photo).

Lletty Brongu woods

Warm and humid today (24c), searching for hoverflies was hard going but I did manage 24 species, with new for the year in Eristalis arbustorum (10), Pipiza austriaca (1), Xylota sylvarum (1) and Microdon myrmicae agg. Syritta pipiens being the most numerous (25). Still large numbers of bees around to continue their good year. Only 2 species of Butterfly about, but a first for me was 2 forms of Harlequin Ladybird mating otherwise all the usual suspects.

 Helophilus pendulus

 Xylota sylvarum

 Harlequin Ladybird - 2 colour forms mating

2-spot Ladybird