[Andrew]

Originally Posted by the young hunter

Visited a Spiranthes site in Worcestershire yesterday and found plenty of plants (~600) on what would initially appear to be unsuitable rough grassland. Observed a fly species probing one of the plants, visiting each flower individually but it didn't remove any pollinia.

Mike.

Looks like Eriothrix rufomaculata, a tachinidae species.

[the young hunter]

Originally Posted by rmielcarek

In 2010 Alan found a plant in the Cotswolds that had a green hypochile but narrow purple edges to the petals, and a faint wash of colour to the epichile.

Rich M

An extreme example of this colouring is E. cardina which seems to nearly always show a very green hypochile and reddish petals and sepals. Have a look at this beauty - http://www.flickr.com/photos/9645441...7631111197658/

Originally Posted by heakl

I'd be interested to hear how widespread it is, comments from your areas wherever you are folks, please.

Alan

I've personally seen viridiflora in Leicestershire and seen photos of a plant from North Wales this year so yes, pretty widespread.

Originally Posted by Andrew

Looks like Eriothrix rufomaculata, a tachinidae species.

Thankyou very much Andrew! I was dimly hoping someone could identify it for me. Do you know if it's a carrion species or would it be attracted to nectar?

Mike.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by the young hunter

Thankyou very much Andrew! I was dimly hoping someone could identify it for me. Do you know if it's a carrion species or would it be attracted to nectar?

Mike.

They are flower feeders but reproduce by laying eggs inside the larvae of lepidoptera.

Regards,
Andrew.

[the young hunter]

Originally Posted by Andrew

They are flower feeders but reproduce by laying eggs inside the larvae of lepidoptera.

Regards,
Andrew.

Ah excellent, so a potential Spiranthes pollinator, though not their primary pollinators which I believe are bumblebees.

Mike

[Ghostly Vision]

On Wednesday (12th) I spent some time looking for Ghost orchid at the 2009 location and the original location.

No luck at either site: despite efforts to prevent felling (or "thinning" as the Forestry Commission calls it) adjacent to the spot of the 2009 record, the site would appear to be ruined due to clearance and sunlight ingression, causing a near-full ground cover of bramble and other plants.

Luckily, there are some very suitable spots near to this, so it may be that the place is still worth checking. Certainly it will be looked at until the end of this month.

Sapey Brook, the original location, is such a wonderful place I have to go anyway. The habitat and spot are very unlike any other Ghost location I know of, but since it has occurred here, and has been unaltered in the 158 years since the records there, it is a long shot worth taking. Nothing seen, but to spend time here is such a pleasure, the lack of Ghostly activity is irrelevant.

Sean

[Ghostly Vision]

Hi all

The 2009 Herefords location was checked for Ghosts on Sunday 23rd and Tuesday 25th September, by myself and Heakl respectively, without luck.

Sean

[Leitrimlives]

Hi,

We live in Leitrim, Ireland, and study a population of Irish Lady's Tresses, Spiranthes romanzoffiana, (and other species) each year. They are rare and protected here, and their numbers vary depending on the weather and/or disturbance. Would be very interested in hearing from people in other parts of Ireland or in Scotland to see how they are faring in other areas?
Best wishes, Fran
www.loughallenbasin.com