I couldn't find a wrinkled peach...

As we are now entering the transition from summer to winter, and the chlorophyll is fast ebbing away from the leaves; bugs are becoming progressively harder to locate.  Therefore, this update will consist of a few creatures that I have managed to find and photograph, along with a smattering of incidental (mostly phone) photos that I took whilst I was out and about.

Before we dive in though: did you  think that we always used the word 'Autumn' against the North American version of 'Fall'? Apparently not! 

The word autumn entered English from the French 'automne' and didn't become common usage until the 18th century. Originally 'Fall', a contraction of the phrase 'Fall of the leaf', was common in England. This I read on the internet, therefore ipso facto it must be true; so let's have none of your silly questioning thank-you!

A little look at how parts of my corner of Kent are looking right now...

The first critter I have to share photos of is this rather splendid Knot grass caterpillar...

This will mature to pupa stage and then remain that way through our winter. By comparison to the larvae, the adult moths are a rather drab mix of grey and black. Close to where I spotted this caterpillar was one of the largest wood ant nests I think I have ever seen...

The ants were busy too...
(Customary reminder that videos may not show in email version of blog)

There were also a few fungi dotted around...

Fly agaric: Amanita muscaria

Fly agaric: Amanita muscaria

Birch polypore?

I think this is the Cauliflower fungi: Sparassis crispa

Now when I saw this next 'thing', I thought I knew exactly what it was...

A rather large spider egg sac was my initial thought. Probably belonging to a garden-cross spider? Why did I think that, because close-by, I found this...

But...having looked at lots of garden spider egg sacs, this doesn't seem right at all. However, I have not dismissed it completely. Take a look at this next photo...

Not my photo

This is an egg sac belonging to a species of orb weaver spider that we don't get here in the UK; but you can see the similarity. Maybe then it is a garden spider after all. If not, then possibly one of the other orb weavers?

Another fungi; again, this is just a phone shot...

Possibly Boletus?

There are some great names for British fungi aren't there:

VELVET SHANK

DOG STINKHORN

BEEFSTEAK

SULPHUR SURPRISE

WRINKLED PEACH

TURKEYTAIL

THE MILLER

EARTHBALL

What about this next photo though: I know what it is, but do you?

On another day I was out walking in this area...

...when I found this beauty!

I assume this will belong in the Zygina family of leaf hoppers, but I could be assuming wrong. What I do know is that the Zygina family are quite variable and can be hard to separate (unless you have a jemmy that is).

Not great shots I know. But it was a dull old day and I had no flash with me so used only natural light and they are really small, and......well, I have run out of excuses. 

Until now, I had never seen this type of gall. This is the wonderfully named Sputnik gall.  The Sputnik Gall is nearly always caused by the cynipid wasp Diplolepis nervosa. It is usually found on the undersides of the leaves of the Dog-rose, but occasionally on the upper surface. The gall is more likely to be seen than the adult wasp. I guess the shape these galls have evolved into offers some kind of protection to the inhabitants.

Wonderin' what the adult wasp that emerges looks like? Thought so...

Like this!