Norfolk: other insects (1 Viewer)

[James Emerson]

Hopefully Hoverfly numbers will pick up as more Hogweed comes into flower. Plus when people come to photograph the Silver-washed Fritillaries there may well be some hoverflies in the background that can be ID'd with a bit of research.

I have been asked to assist with a hoverfly survey at Holt Country Park. The boundaries and topography of the Park are as shown on this map: https://www.northnorfolk.org/files/HCPOrienteering.pdf.

Please note that the Lowes (http://www.holtlowes.org.uk/Lowes location.html) are not included, as they are separate from the Park.

My efforts to date have been largely photographic- and of the larger, more attractive and easier (!) species. Recently, Volucella inflata (below) has been seen, for the second year in succession. This year, though, insects have not been exactly plentiful at this site, with the strange ‘summer’ that we’ve had so far.

Please email records, with photos, where possible, to the co-ordinating Ranger: [email protected]. NB: these may well take a few days to be acknowledged, as they 'filter through' the system.

Thank you.

 

[ben_lewis]

Here's a picture of the Egyptian Grasshopper - hope I've uploaded it ok - Since found out its the second Norfolk record - First was at Taverham in 2012 - Holkham one was removed from walled garden after initial 'fears' that it might be a Locust and it might chomp its way through all the plants there

Nice one, well done for following up the report. I will let my colleague know that she assisted with finding a second for Norfolk, even if she says she was repulsed by it!!

It was shortly after the Saharan dust came North so I suspect it rode the same winds, however it arrived its a great record. I suspect by 'removed' it is no longer in the land of the living.

 

[firstreesjohn]

Hoverfly survey at Holt Country Park #2

Attached is the beginning of a list- based on records from Holt Hall surveys and the location of the 'NR25'.

I've begun to fill in some species, but put it here as a guide to what needs to be done- almost everything !

Please see #120 for further.

 

[James Emerson]

Volucella hoverflies

For anyone wanting to develop an interest in hoverflies, now is a good time to see four of the five Volucella species, some of our biggest and easiest to identify species.

Volucella zonaria "Hornet-mimic hoverfly" -so called because of its large size and orangey-yellow colouration. Has a chestnut coloured thorax and upper abdomen markings.
Volucella inanis - similar to the above species but a bit smaller. The thorax is never chestnut-coloured, and the upper abdomen markings are rectangular and yellow.
Volucella inflata - A bit similar to V. pellucens, but instead of a pale band there are two big yellowy-orange semi-circles that almost meet in the middle on the upper half of the abdomen.
Volucella pellucens "Great Pied Hoverfly" - another large hoverfly, with a pale cream or white band across the abdomen and thick black marks on the wings


All of the photos here were taken in the past week, and these species can be found in gardens, parks, woodland etc. Buddleia, Bramble flowers and Hogweed are particular good plants to check.

The fifth Volucella (V. bombylans) has two forms and is quite a good bumblebee mimic, but I think earlier in the year is better for them.

 

[Daveb21]

Hoverfly Survey

Attached is the beginning of a list- based on records from Holt Hall surveys and the location of the 'NR25'.

I've begun to fill in some species, but put it here as a guide to what needs to be done- almost everything !

Please see #120 for further.

HRS list for NR21 shows 62 species too; I had about 95 last year so probably lots more in NR25 than shown here. Is the survey wanted just from photo's or are they happy for the odd specimen of little jobs to be taken for ID?

Cheers,
Dave

 

[firstreesjohn]

are they happy for the odd specimen of little jobs to be taken for ID?

Thanks for your interest in this, Daveb21.

Please contact the Ranger- details given in #120. The team has been both surprised and a little unhappy to see numbers of people wandering around with nets, without their being forewarned and such permission requested. (Considerations include the complaints of uninformed visitors and school parties.) It's mainly a matter of courtesy- and to avoid any conflict with existing activities within the Park. There should, then, be no problem.

As merely an interested outsider, with no official standing, I can only offer my advice.

 

[Graham63]

Identification please

Found this in the village is it a Volucella Pellucens please

 

[firstreesjohn]

is it a Volucella Pellucens

Yes: Volucella pellucens.

Looking particularly bug-eyed, from that angle. (Sorry, if I've hurt its feelings !)

 

[Daveb21]

Thanks for your interest in this, Daveb21.

Please contact the Ranger- details given in #120. The team has been both surprised and a little unhappy to see numbers of people wandering around with nets, without their being forewarned and such permission requested. (Considerations include the complaints of uninformed visitors and school parties.) It's mainly a matter of courtesy- and to avoid any conflict with existing activities within the Park. There should, then, be no problem.

As merely an interested outsider, with no official standing, I can only offer my advice.

Hi John,
Wouldn't do that at any site without prior permission anyway; don't get out that way much but will contact them if likely to be passing and see what they say.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[firstreesjohn]

Hi John,
Wouldn't do that at any site without prior permission anyway

Wish everyone was like you !

 

[Graham63]

Identification Please

Was wondering if this is what they call The Footballer

 

[James Emerson]

Yes you are right. I hadn't come across that name before, but this is Helophilus pendulus, and a quick google search brings up that it is sometimes called The Footballer.

Was wondering if this is what they call The Footballer

 

[firstreesjohn]

this is what they call The Footballer

It's wearing a Hull City A.F.C. shirt, too.

I'm not sure I agree with this (recent) fad for Anglicising hover-names; traditionally, their scientific names were used.

 

[Graham63]

A First

Found my first Turnip Sawfly (Athalia Rosae )

 

[Graham63]

Could someone help with identification of this please is it a long or short winged cone-head or something completely different.

 

[James Emerson]

Hi Graham.

It is certainly either Long-winged or Short-winged Conehead, but the nymphs both have black stripes, which make them hard to separate. It has been suggested that quite a few of the photos on google images are either incorrectly labelled or labelled with excessive confidence from what can be seen, which doesn't help either.

With those caveats, I would suggest it is more likely to be Long-winged, partly because that species is commoner, and partly because the ovipositor looks quite striaght, whereas in Short-winged it would probably look slightly more curved by now.

Could someone help with identification of this please is it a long or short winged cone-head or something completely different.

 

[Graham63]

Thanks James for your help much appreciated

 

[Graham63]

Any idea which Volucella this is please

 

[firstreesjohn]

Any idea which Volucella this is please

It isn't !

Tachinid fly: probably Tachina fera.

 

[Graham63]

Identification please

Any idea what this is please