Strange flies and unidentified bees...

Can I preface this particular update by saying that there will be no shenanigans: none of the usual banter or crass jokes. No silly inset memes or emojis. Just straight-forward, down home, facts and photos. 

Alright then, let's get into it. How about starting with a fly that looks like it might be modelling itself on Billy Gibbons of rock band ZZ Top. These flies are know as Thick-headed flies, of the family Conopidae: this one might be 'Sicus ferrugineus'. Don't take that as gospel though, there are other similar ones, too similar for any certainty from this boy.

Here's the gruesome bit about these fascinating creatures: Most Thick-headed Flies wait on or near flowers for their selected host species to arrive (most often bees or wasps). On finding the correct host, they take good hold and pierce the body while in flight, quickly depositing an egg inside. 

The egg hatches and the larva feeds off the host's abdominal contents...blah, de blah...there's more, but I'll spare you!

Some Conopids mimic these beasties...

This is 'Eristalis tenax', a Hoverfly. Also known as a common drone fly. If you think this is much more acceptable than the Conopid fly, consider this; the larvae of this insect is called a rat-tailed maggot. On the plus side, you are unlikely to encounter one, as they are aquatic.

Staying with Conopidae for one more picture; this next one is disappointing for two reasons...

Firstly, I messed up my camera settings and blew out the wood anemone petals. Secondly, I was hoping that this was 'Myopa buccata', the intriguingly named  'Variegated Spring Beegrabber'. Our most striking of all Myopa. Said to be fairly frequent, but in 2 decades of bug-hunting I have never before found one. 

This was my only chance at a photo and despite returning for the next couple of days to search for more, I drew a blank.

Time for something prettier...

One of the Japonica shrubs in the garden flowered for the first time this year; I know the flowers are tiny, but quite stunning.

Back to the bugs now...

There's a Spirea bush at the front of my house and right now it is full bloom and attracting many insects. I am not even going to pretend I know which species this bee is, but it does look a bit like 'Lasioglossum' to me, which probably means it'll turn out to be 'Andrena' or something? 

It not only attracted bees, but also this Dock bug...

Meanwhile...

I was so pleased to find this Box bug in my local woods the other day. Having first discovered one there last year, I am hoping that this is proof they are living and breeding there. Especially given that I found not one, but two on the same day...

You might have noticed that neither photo shows the bug actually on Box. British Bugs says that it is now found most frequently on Hawthorn and Buckthorn. All of my finds have been on 'Rosa canina' - Dog-rose.

I'm not seeing as many butterflies as I would like yet, but I did come across this Peacock recently...

Oh yes, I have remembered something I wanted to share. Something that I feel I should have known, but didn't...

I knew that birch trees had catkins: but what I didn't realise is that those are the male flowers and that birch trees also have female flowers that look like this. I ought to have known that fact as I am sure it also applies to hazel trees, and most likely others too.

That's all!

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From eggs to...well, eggs!

I did promise to keep you updated on the news of my 'gals' (Giant African Land Snails) and I have to report that, despite an anxious wait, like a parent-to-be, not one of the eggs have yet produced baby snails.
It's now just a touch over 3 weeks and so, I suppose there's a little time yet before we can say for sure that they've failed.In fact, one care-sheet I have obtained states anything between 2-6 weeks to hatch. I'll let you know if anything exciting does occur over the next few days.

I did however manage a short little video showing how these creatures move around. Shot through the glass of the tank, it shows one of the snails climbing the side by means of this undulating/rippling movement.
(Apologies for the noisy kids in the background, I forgot to remove the sound before uploading the video)

Click arrow to begin video

Whilst on the subject of molluscs-this year may have been awful for butterflies and some bugs and insects but slugs and snails seem to be the winners regarding conditions needed for reproduction and even survival.

Arion ater/hortensis

Now here's the thing-I thought I knew exactly the species of slug that I found in huge numbers in the garden following recent rain. It's the large red slug-Arion ater isn't it? I checked my reference book and read the following: Large Red Slug- Widespread and common throughout Britain, especially in gardens.Orange-red in colour. Yep! That fits. 

End of story? Oh no! Double check with the Internet now just to be sure...............Erm....err... "Computer says no"

"What?"........  Arion ater: The European Black Slug..."Ugggh!" Two closely-related species are Arion rufus and Arion lusitanicus,and they can only be told apart from A.ater by dissection. "Riiiiiiiight!"  Best read on then and see if there's a logical explanation? There was...

As its common name suggests, it is usually black in colour, although considerable variation does exist, ranging from chestnut brown and orange to pale grey or cream. In general, slugs in northern England and Scotland are jet black, while in the south of England the orange forms appear to be more common - the colour variation is thought to be due to differences in ambient temperatures.

Phew!

A closer look-have you had your tea?

Having cleared that up, I now have to consider that these may well not be ater at all but hortensis? Why so? Because after further research, it does seem to fit the description/photos better.....

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As we edge ever closer to September,we are fast approaching what I like to refer to as 'spider-time'. That time of year when spiders not only seem to come into their own, but also, into the house!

Misumena vatia

The one pictured above is unlikely to do so though-Misumena vatia or as it's sometimes referred to 'The Goldenrod Crab Spider' is a flower loving spider with the ability to change colour to some degree, depending on the flower it's sitting on. Although it looks hard as nails in this photo, it's actually not a macho male but a pretty little female. 

Click on any photo for a larger view

House Spider

The house spider (Tegenaria species) on the other hand, would hardly dare to live anywhere else given its name? I think it's probably safe to say that these     spiders are actually living with us all year round. It's just that now they are fully grown making them more obvious ,and now is also mating time- therefore you're more likely to spot one stuck in the bath where it has fallen whilst actively seeking a partner to mate with-well, we've all done that at sometime or other?

Araneus diadematus

And so, if the tegenaria species of spider live in the house, where then do we think the araneus species, or 'Garden Spiders' live? Would you like to phone a friend? Oh, you'd like to use your 50/50? O.K. Computer, take away two of the choices please....."

The thing about being called garden spiders though is that they don't actually know they're supposed to stay in the garden, how could they? They don't read!

And so, the one report I've read of somebody being bitten by one. Yes, that's right...bitten by one, reads: Bite report-on the arm,while in bed.Felt nausea,the arm swelled badly for 3 days.

Yet another sure sign that the year is disappearing fast is the emergence of the dock bug nymphs. I usually manage to spot the early instars and if I'm really lucky a first instar-however, this year, I seem to have missed those but did find what I reckon is probably a 2nd or 3rd instar...

Coreus marginatus-A Dock Bug nymph

I also came across the eggs on one of my recent walks-I think these will be green shield-bug eggs but I'm not sure they are going to emerge now. I have checked them for several days and there has been no change and to me they just don't look right. No doubt I'll be proved wrong but I'll be sure to admit it if I am, so watch this space.

Bug eggs

We seem to have come full circle now, starting with eggs and ending with eggs. That must be as good a place as any to call time on this particular entry.

I have a couple of interesting things lined up for future entries and so I'll do my level best to be back really soon.

Until then next time then...