Invertebrate Galleries

The galleries below show a selection of the riches of invertebrate life to be found in Selsdon Wood - all listed by category in blue at the top of the page. Scroll down for details and images and hover over each image for information or click to see an enlarged version. We would be delighted to add your photographs to the galleries - please send them to selsdonwood@gmail.com.

See the Sightings page for lists of  all species of Invertebrates that have been seen or heard in Selsdon Wood. The lists will be updated when new species are seen.

Invertebrates 1 - Frequent fliers

Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera)

Flies (Diptera) 

Dragonflies & Damselflies (Odenata)

Ants, Bees, Sawflies and Wasps (Hymentoptera) (includes galls)



Butterflies & Moths - Lepidoptera

Ted Forsyth surveyed the butterflies in Selsdon Wood over many years. Some of his transects can be downloaded from here



It is obviously useful to know which species are likely to be on the wing at different times so Butterfly Conservation have produced a chart showing expected flight times for butterflies in Surrey available below. 
Also below is a full butterfly count for 2019.

Butterfly Flight Periods.pdf Butterfly Flight Periods.pdf
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Butterflies: Whites & Yellows

---- Brimstone, Nepteryx rhamni (3) ---- Clouded Yellow, Colias croceus ---- Green-Veined White, Pieris napi ----

---- Large White, Pieris brassicae (2) ---- Orange Tip, Anthocharis cardamines (6) ---- Small White (2) ----

Brush Foot Butterflies

This is a large group of over 6000 species worldwide, many of which are often very colourful. Some of the latter are informally known as the aristocrats, since their rich colours are like those on aristocratic robes.

---- Comma, Polygonia c-album (3) ---- Fritillary, Dark GreenSpeyeria aglaja (2) ----

---- Fritillary, Silver-washed , Argynnis paphia (2) ---- Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui (4) ----

---- Peacock, Inachis io (4) ---- Purple EmperorApatura iris (2) ---- Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta (3) ----

----  ---- Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae (5) ---- White Admiral, Limenitis camilla (2) ----

Butterflies: Browns & Ringlets

 ---- Gatekeeper, Pyronia tithonus (5) ---- Marbled White, Melanargia galathea (3) ----

---- Meadow Brown, Maniola jurtina (5) ---- Small Heath, Coenonympha pamphilus ----

---- Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria (3) ---- Ringlet, Aphantopus hyperantus (3) ----

Butterflies: Blues, Hairstreaks & Coppers

---- Brown Hairstreak, Thecla betulae ---- Brown Argus, Aricia agestis (3) ----

---- Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus (3) ---- Holly Blue, Celastrina argiolus (2) ----

---- Purple Hairstreak, Favonius quercus (2) ---- Small Copper, Lycaena phlaeas (3) ----

---- Small Blue Butterfly, Cupido minimus ---- White-letter Hairstreak, Satyrium w-album----

* Mark Shoesmith has a superb blog page all about shooting wildlife photography in Selsdon Wood. In particular take a look as his scary caterpillar video!

Butterflies: Skippers

---- Dingy Skipper, Erynnis tages ---- Large Skipper, Ochlodes sylvanus (2) ----

---- Small Skipper, Thymelicus sylvestris (2) ---- 

Moths
A number of these have been spotted at our moth Trap events from 2013 - 2017 - see list below.
Roughly 1500 of the moths are classed as micromoths and the vast majority are quite small. It is easy to dismiss a tiny insect disturbed from grasses but, if you can get a close look, you might be surprised at how colourful they can be. Many micro moths lay their eggs on leaves and the caterpillar burrows into the leaf and remains there until it pupates. The tiny caterpillar eats the material between the top and bottom surfaces of the leaf, producing leaf mines of characteristic shapes which can enable an identification to be made without ever seeing the moth itself.  Some of the mines are blotch-shaped while others form linear or gallery mines.
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Moths - Nepticulidae 

---- Black Headed Pigmy Moth, Stigmella atricapitella ---- Coarse Hazel Pigmy, Stigmella floslactella ----

---- Golden Pigmy, Stigmella aurella ---- Scarce Maple Pigmy, Stigmella aceris ----

---- Short-barred Pigmy, Stigmella luteela ---- White-banded Pigmy, Ectoedemia albifasciella ----

Moths - Adelidae

---- Brassy Long-horn, Nemophora metallica (2) ---- Degeers Longhorn Moth, Nemophora degeerella (2) ----

---- Meadow Long-horn, Cauchas rufimitrella (2) ---- 

Moths - Gracillariidae

---- Brown Oak Slender Acrocercops brongniardella ----

---- Firethorn Moth leaf miner, Phillonorychter leucographella (2) ----

---- Gold-bent Midget, Phyllonorycter roboris (2) ---- Golden Apple Slender, Callisto denticulella ----

---- Hazel Slender, Paronix devoniella (2---- Nut Leaf Blister Moth, Phyllonorycter coryli (2) ----

---- Western Midget, Phyllonorycter muelleriella ----

Moths - Pterophoridae 

---- Beautiful Plume, Amblyptilia acanthadactyla ---- Common Plume Moth, Emmelina monodactyla ----

---- Large White Plume Moth, Pterophorus pentadactyla ---- Spotted White Plume Moth, Pterophorus galactodactyla ---

Moths - Tortricidae

---- Dark Gorse Piercer, Grapholita internana ---- Flax Tortrix moth, Cnephasia asseclana ----

---- Green Oak Tortrix Moth, Tortrix viridana ---- Large Fruit Tree Tortrix Moth, Archips podana  (2) ----

 ---- Long-winged Shade, Cnephasia longana (female) ---- Maple Button, Acleris forsskaleana ---- 

---- Orange Spot Piercer, Pammene aurana ---- Small Spruce Bell, Epinotia nanana----

----Triangle-marked Piercer, Pammene spiniana ---- White Cloaked Shoot, Gypsonoma sociana ---- 

Moths - Zygaenidae 

---- Six-Spot Burnet Moth,  Zygaena filipendulae (7) ----

---- Narrow Bordered Five Spot Burnet Moth, Zygaena lonicerae ----


Moths - Crambidae

 ---- Box Tree Moth, Cydalima perspectalis ---- Common Grey, Scoparia ambigualis ----

---- Dark-inlaid Grass Veneer, Crambus lathoniellus ----

---- Dusky Pearl moth, Udea prunalis (2) ---- Elbow-stripe Grass-veneer, Agriphila geniculea ----

---- Garden Grass Veneer, Chrysoteuchia culmella ---- Grass Moth, Agriphila straminella ----

---- Grass Veneer Moth, Agriphila tristella ---- 

---- Hook-streak Grass-veneer, Crambus lathoniellus, var. lathoniellus ----

---- Inlaid Grass Veneer Moth, Crambus pascuella ----

---- Little Grass-veneer, Platytes cerussella ---- Long-winged Pearl, Anania lancealis ----

----  Small Magpie, Anania hortulata (4) ---- 

----Straw Grass Veneer moth, Agriphila straminella ----Yellow Satin Grass Veneer, Crambus periella ----

Moths - Geometridae

---- August Thorn Moth, Ennomos quercinana - caterpillar ----- Blue-bordered Carpet Moth, Plemyria rubiginata ----

----  Brimstone Moth, Opisthograptis luteolata (2) ---- Brown Silver Line Moth, Petrophora chlorosata ----

---- Common Carpet Moth ---- Common Marbled Carpet, Dysstroma truncata ----

----Common White Wave,  Cabera pusaria ---- Cream Wave, Scopula floslactat ----

---- Dwarf Cream Wave, Idaea fuscovenosa ---- Engrailed Moth, Ectropis crepuscularia  ----

---- Garden Carpet Moth, Xanthorhoe fluctuata - caterpillar ---- Grass Rivulet, Perizoma albulata ----

---- July HighflyerHydriomena furcata (2) ---- Lace Border MothScopula ornata ----

---- Large Emerald Moth (2),  Geometra papilionaria ----

----Least Carpet Moth, Idaea rusticata ---- Little Emerald, Jodis lactearia ----

---- Mottled Grey, Colostygia multistrigaria (larva) ---- Mottled Umber, Erannis defoliaria (larva) (2) ----

---- Northern Winter Moth, Operophtera fagata (male) ---- November Moth, Epirrita dilutata ----

---- Old Lady, Mormo maura ---- Orange UnderwingArchiearis parthenias ----

---- Pale Brindled Beauty, Phigalia pilosaria (larva)----

----  Pale Oak Beauty, Hypomecis punctinalis ---- Phoenix Moth - Eulithis prunata ----

---- Riband Wave, Idaea aversata ---- Scalloped Oak Moth, Crocallis elinguaria -- --

---- Scorched Carpet Moth, Ligdia adustata ---- Single-dotted Wave Moth, Idaea dimidiata ----

---- Small Fan-footed Wave, Idaea biselata, var. fimbriolata ----

---- Small Grass Emerald, Chlorissa viridata ---- Small White WaveAsthena albulata ----

---- The Seraphim, Lobophora halterata ---- The Streamer, Anticlea derivata ----

---- Treble Brown Spot Moth, Idaea trigeminata ---- White-spotted Pug, Eupithecia tripunctaria (2) ----

---- White Pinion Spotted Moth, Lomographa bimaculata (2) ---- Willow Beauty, Peribatodes rhomboidaria ----

 ---- Winter Moth, Operophtera brumata (2) ---- Yellow Shell, Camptogramma bilineata ----

Moths - Erebidae

---- Black Arches MothLymantria monacha (2) ----  Blackneck MothLygephila pastinum ----

---- Buff Ermine mothSpilosoma lutea ---- Buff Footman, Eilema depressa ----

---- Burnet Companion MothEuclidia glyphica (2) ---- Cinnabar Moth,  Tyria jacobaeae (2) ---

---- Common Footman Moth, Eilema lurideola ---- Jersey Tiger Moth,  Euplagia quadripunctaria (3) ----

---- Mother Shipton Moth, Euclidia mi ---- Pale Tussock Moth Larva, Calliteara pudibunda ----

---- Rosy Footman, Miltochrista miniata ---- Ruby Tiger, Phragmatobia fuliginosa ----

---- The Snout, Hypena proboscidalis ---- White Ermine mothSpilosoma lubricipeda (larva) ----

Moths - Noctuidae

---- Antler Moth, Cerapteryx graminis ---- The Clay Moth, Mythimna ferrago ----

---- Coronet Moth, Craniophora ligustri ---- Double Square Spot Moth, Xestia triangularum ----

---- Dun-Bar Moth, Cosmia Trapezina ---- Dusky Brocade Moth, Apamea remissa, var. obtusa ----

---- Flame Shoulder Moth, Ochropleura plecta ---- Green Brindled Crescent, Allophyes oxyacanthae ----

---- Hebrew Character Moth, Orthosia gothica ---- Knot Grass Moth, Acronicta rumicis ----

---- Large Yellow Underwing Moth, Noctua pronuba ---- Lunar-spotted Pinion moth, Cosmia pyralina ----

---- Marbled Minor Moth, Oligia strigilis agg ----

---- Mottled Rustic, Caradrina morpheus ---- Small Quaker Moth, Orthosia cruda ----

---- Southern Brindled Moth, Dryobotodes roboris ---- Silver Y Moth, Autographa gamma ----

---- Small Square-spot, Diarsia rubi ---- Small Yellow Underwing, Panemeria tenebrata ----

---- Square-spotted Clay Xestia stigmatica ---- Square-spot Rustic,  Xestia xanthographa ----

---- The Rustic - Hoplodrina blanda ---- 

Other Moths

---- Ash Bud Moth, Prays fraxinella, (Larva) ---- Bagworm Moth Larval Case ---- Bee Moth, Aphomia sociella ---- 

---- Common Oak Purple Moth, Dyseriocrania subpurpurella, (2) ---- Common Tubic, Alabonia geoffrella  ----

----  Elephant Hawk Moth, Deilephila elpenor ---- Four Spotted Obscure, Oegoconia quadripuncta agg. ---- 

---- Garden Lance Wing, Epermenia chaerophyllella ---- Ghost Moth, Hepialus humuli (larva) ---- 

---- Green Silver-lines Moth, Pseudoips prasinana (larva) ---- 

---- Hummingbird Hawk Moth, Macroglossum stellatarum ---- March dagger moth, Diurnea fagella -----

--- Nettle Tap Moth, Anthophila fabriciana (2) ---- November Tubic, Diurnea lipsiella - caterpillar ----

---- Oak Carl, Tischeria ekebladella ---- Orchard Ermine Moth, Yponomeuta padella ----

---- Parsnip Moth, Depressaria radiella (larva) ---- Pointed Groundling Moth, Scrobipalpa acuminatella ----

---- Rose Flounced Tabby, Endotricha flammealis ---- Spruce argent, Argyresthia glabratella ----

---- Sulphur Tubic, Esperia sulphurella ---- Yellow-headed Tubic, Pseudatemelia flavifrontella ----

----Woundwort Case Bearer, Coleophora lineole---- 

Flies - Diptera

Blow Flies - Calliphoridae

Blow Flies lay their eggs on rotten meat and carcases for their larvae to feed on the meat. The name blow fly comes from an older English term for meat that had eggs laid on it, which was said to be fly blown.

---- Caliphora erythrocephala, Bluebottle ---- Calliphora vicina, Common Bluebottle ----

---- Caliphora vomitoria, Bluebottle (2) ---- Lucilia caesar, Blow Fly---Lucilia sericata, Blow Fly ----

---- Pollenia sp, Cluster Fly ---- Pollenia pediculata, Tufted Clusterfly ----

---- Pollenia rudis, Cluster Fly ----

Crane Flies - Tipulidae & Limonids

---- Ctenophora elegans ---- Ctenophora ornata ---- Dicranomyia chorea, Limonid Cranefly ---- Epiphragma ocellare, Limonid Cranefly ----

---- Euphylidorea dispar, Limonid Crane Fly ---- Limonia nubeculosa, Limonid Crane Fly ---- 

---- Nephrotoma flavescens, Tiger Cranefly ----  Nephrotoma flavipalpis, Tiger Cranefly ---- Nigrotipula nigra Cranefly ----

---- Rhipidia maculata ---- Symplecta stictica, Limonid Cranefly ---- Tipula confusa ---- Tipula fascipennis ----

----- Tipula fulvipennis ---- Tipula livida ---- Tipula lunata ---- Tipula luteipennis  ---- Tipula paludosa ---- Tipula varipennis ---- Tipula vernalis ----

Fruit Flies - Drosophilidae and Tephritidae

The Drosophilidae are 2 to 4 mm tiny flies using decaying fruit and fungi for nutrient and larvae. They are widely used for genetic research due to their very short lifespan. The Tephritidae are the true fruit flies, laying their eggs on unripe or ripe fruit, their maggots being a serious agricultural pest.  A distinctive feature is their "picture wings", adorned with ornate patterns of black markings.


---- Drosophila hydei (5) --- 
Drosophila melanogaster, Common Fruit Fly ---- Tephritis hyoscyami ---- 

 House Flies - Muscidae

House Flies are called that due to their frequent presence around our homes, but they are in fact all woodland species. The various wastes we produce, from rotting food to fecal matter, are often their foodstuff, hence the attraction.

---- Eudasyphora cyanicolor ---- Graphomyia maculata ---- Hebecnema sp. ---- Helina abdominalis ---- Helina evecta ---- Helina pertusa --

---- Helina reversio ---- Hydrotaea dentipes ---- Lispe fuscipalpis ---- Morellia aenescens ---- Musca autumnalis, Face Fly ----

---- Mydaea setifemur/humeralis (2) ---- Neomyia cornicina ---- Neomya indica ---- Neomya viridescens (2) ---- Phaonia angelicae ----

---- Phaonia bitincta ---- Phaonia errans ---- Phaonia gobertii  (2) ---- Phaonia pallida ---- Phaonia rufiventris ---- Phaonia subventa ---- 

 ---- Polietes dormitor ---- Polietes lardarius ---- Thricops diaphanus ----

 Hoverflies - Syrphidae (80 species seen)

There are 276 British species of Hoverfly. All but one of the following have been identified by Tony Flecchia. Many of the species are very variable and overlapping in appearance, so can be difficult to identify. In the notes with each photo the main points of identification are given. Click on the first image showing wing structures to find how to identify whether a particular insect is a hoverfly or another insect. 

  ---- Baccha elongata ---- Chamaesyrphus sp ---- Cheilosia bergenstammi ---- Cheilosa illustrata ---- Cheilosia mutabilis ----

---- Cheilosia nigripes ---- Cheilosia variabilis ----Cheilosia vulpina (2) ----

---- Chrysotoxum bicinctum --- Chrysotoxum festivum ---- Criorhina berberina ---- Dasysyrphus venustus ----

---- Epistrophe diaphana ---- Epistrophe eligans ---- Epistrophe grossulariae (2) ---- Epistrophe nitidicollis ----

---- Episyrphus balteatus, Marmalade Hoverfly (4) ---- Eriozona syrphoides (2) ---- Eristalis arbustorum ---- Eristalis horticola ---- 

---- Eristalis intricarius ---- Eristalis nemorum ---- Eristalis pertinax (f & m) ---- Eristalis rupium ---- Eristalis similis ---- Eristalis tenax (m & f) ---- 

---- Eupeodes latifasciatus ---- Eupeodes luniger ---- Eupeodes nitens ---- Ferdinandia cuprea ----

---- Helophilus groenlandicus ---- Helophilus pendulus ---- Helophilus trivittatus ----Lejops vittatus ---- Leucozona glaucia ----

---- Leucozona laternaria --- Leucozona lucorum (2) ---- Melangyna cincta ---- Melangyna quadrimaculata ----

---- Melangyna umbellatarum (2) ----

---- Melanostoma mellinum (2) ---- Melanostoma scalare ---- Meligramma euchromum ---- Meligramma guttatum ----

---- Meligramma trianguliferum ----- Meliscaeva auricollis  ---- Meliscaeva cinctella ---- Meliscaeva maculicornis -----

---- Merodon equestris, Narcissus Bulb Fly ---- Myathropa florea (2) ---- Orthronevra nobilis ---- Parasyrphus annulatus ----

---- Parasyrphus punctulatus ---- Parhelophilus consimilis ----

---- Platycheirus albimanus ---- Platycheirus ambiguous ---- Platycheirus angustatus ---- Platycheirus clypeatus ----

 ---- Platycheirus discimanus (2) ----  Platycheirus nielseni ---- Platycheirus podagratus ----

Platycheirus rosarum ---- Platycheirus scutatus ---- Platycheirus sticticus ---- Platycheirus tarsalis -----

---- Pyrophaena granditarsa ---- Rhingia campestris ---- Rhingia rostrata ---- Sphaerophoria interrupta ----  Sphaerophoria philanthus ----

---- Sphaerophoria scripta (2) ---- Syritta pipiens, Thick-legged Hoverfly ---- Syrphus ribesii (3) ---- Syrphus vitripennis ----

---- Volucella inanis ---- Volucella inflata ---- Volucella pellucens --- Volucella zonaria ---- Xylota segnis ---- Xylota tarda ----

Tachinid Flies - Tachinidae

Tachinid flies are parasitic flies, laying their eggs on caterpillars and the like. The larvae then hatch and burrow into the host to eat it while it is alive. The technical name for the nature of these flies is endoparasitic.

 ---- Compsilura concinnata ---- Dexiosoma caninum ---- Eriothrix rufomaculata ---- Eumea linearicornis ---- 

---- Exorista rustica ---- Gonia divisa ---- Gymnosoma clavatum (2) ---- Gymnocheta viridis (2) ----

---- Hemyda vittata  ---- Lypha dubia ---- Macquartia grisea ---- 

---- Nowickia ferox ---- Pales Pavida ---- Phania funesta ---- Techina fera ---- Thelaria nigripes ----Voria ruralis ----


Other flies A-F

---  Anthomyia procellaris (2) ---- Asteia amoena ---- Aulagromyza hendeliana, Honeysuckle Leaf Miner ---- 

----Beris chalybata, Murky-legged Black Legionnaire fly ---- Bibio clavipes ---- Bibio johannis ---- 

---- Bibio lanigeris ---- Bibio marci, St Mark's Fly (2) ----  Bombylius major, Bee Fly (3) ----

---- Bombylius minor, Heath Bee Fly ---- Botanophila fugax ---- Callomyia speciosa ----

---- Calycomyza flavinotum, Leaf Miner Fly ---- Chloromyia formosa, Broad Centurion Soldier Fly ----

---- Culex pipiens (possible ID), Gnat (2) ---- Delia radicum ----

---- Dilophilus febrilis, Fever Fly ---- Dioctria hyalipennis Robber Fly ---- 

---- Doctria linearis, Robber Fly ---- Dolichopus griseipennis Fly ---- Dolichopus nigricornis ---- Dolichopus plumipes -----

---- Dryomyza anilis Fly ---- Empis femorata, Dagger Fly ---- Empis livida, Dagger Fly ---- Empis opaca ----

---- Empis stercorea, Dance Fly ---- Empis tessellata, Dagger Fly ---- Fannia mollissima fly ----


Other flies H-P

 ---- Haematoma crassicornis, Notch Horned Cleg Fly (2) ---- Haematopota pluvialis, Notch Horned Cleg Fly ----

---- Herina lugubris, Picture Wing Fly ----

---- Hilara cornicula Dagger Fly ---- Hilara maura, Balloon Fly (2) ---- Hydrophoria lancifer ----

---- Hylemya sp. ---- Inquiline Fly (see the section below The Story of Marble Galls) ----

-- Lonchaea fugax ---Lonchaea tarsata, Lance Fly ---- Leptarthrus brevirostris, Slender-footed Robberfly ----

---- Machimus atricapillus, Kite-tailed Robberfly ---- Macrocera vittata, Fungus Gnat ---- Meiosimyza decipiens ----

---- Microchrysa polita, Black-horned Gem --- Midge (3) ---- 

---- Mystacides longicornis, Caddis Fly ---- Neuroctena anilis ---- Norellia spinipes, Daffodil Fly ----

---- Panorpa communis, Scorpion Fly ---- Panorpa germanica, Scorpion Fly (3) ----

---- Pegomya solennis, larva leaf mine ---- Phaonia sp ---- Phorid spp., Scuttle Fly ----

---- Physocephala rufipes, Thick Headed Fly (2) ---- Phytomyza agromyzina, Dogwood Leaf Miner ----

---- Phytomyza clematadi Fly, Leaf mine on Clematis vitaalba ---- 

---- Phytomyza fulgens  Leaf mine on Clematis vitaalba ---- Phytomyza heracleana Leaf Mine on Hogweed ----

---- Phytomyza horticola Leaf Mining fly (2) ---- Phytomyza ilicis, Holly Leaf Miner ----

---- Phytomyza lappae Leaf Mine on Burdock ---- Phytomyza spondilyii ----

---- Platystoma seminationis, Signal Fly ---- Poecilobothrus nobilitatus (3) ----

---- Psila fimetaria ---Psychoda albipennis, Moth Fly ----

Other flies R-Z

 ---- Rhagio scolopaceus, Downlooker Snipe Fly ---- Rhagoletis alternate, Rose Hip Fly (larva) ----

---- Sarcophagia carnaria, Flesh Fly ---- Scathophaga stercoraria, Common Yellow Dung Fly ----

---- Sciaria hemerobiodes, Dark Winged Fungus Gnat ----

---- Sepsis fulgens, Lesser Dung Fly (2) ---- Sicus ferrugineus: Family conopidae, Thick Headed Fly (2) ----

---- Sphaerocerid Fly ---- Stratiomyidea sp. ---- Stratiomys potamida, Clubbed General ----

---- Suillia variegata ---- Sylvicola fenestralis, Wood Gnat ---- Sylvicola sp., Wood Gnat ---- 

---- Tabanus autumnalis, Large Marsh Horse Fly ---- Tachydromia umbrarum ---Taxomyia taxi, Fly Gall ----

 ---- Thaumatomyia notata, Grass Fly ---- Trichocera annulata, Winter Gnat ---- 

---- Trichosera sp. Winter Crane Fly ---- Xylota sylvarum ---- Unidentified Micro Flies (2 species) ----

Dragonflies & Damselflies - Odonata

---- Aeshna cyanea, Southern Hawker Dragonfly (6) ---- Aeshna grandis, Brown Hawker Dragonfly (2) ----

---- Anax imperator, Emperor Dragonfly ---- Orthetrum cancellatum, Black-tailed Skimmer Dragonfly --

----  Pyrrosoma nymphulaLarge Red Damselfly  ---- Sympetrum striolatum, Common Darter Dragonfly (female) ----
LacewingsNeuroptera

---- Chrysoperla carneaGreen Lacewing ---- Hemerobiidae spp. Lacewing Larva (2) --- 

 Ants, Bees, Sawflies & Wasps - Hymenoptera

Ants

---- Lasius alienus ---- Lasius niger, Common Black Ant (4) ----  Leptothorax acervorum, The Slender Ant ----

Monomorium pharaonis - Pharaoh Ant ---- Formica Rufa, Red Wood Ant ----

---- Myrmica rubra, Red Ant ---- Yellow Meadow Ant (5) ---- 

Bees - Bumblebees (Bombus)

---- Bombus distinguendus ---- Bombus hortorum ---Bombus humilis ---- Bombus hypnorum ---- Bombus jonellus (2) ---- Bombus lapidarius (3) ----

---- Bombus lucorum (2) ---- Bombus muscorum ---- Bombus pascuorum (3) ---- Bombus pratorum (3) ---- Bombus ruderarius ----

---- Bombus soroeensis ---- Bombus subterraneus worker ---- Bombus terrestris ---- 

Bombus terrestris - nest dig
This sequence shows a female bee digging a nest - possibly having lost her nest in a deluge a few days previously.
All photos by Tony Flecchia 4/6/17

Bees - Cuckoo Bumblebees (sub genus Psithyrus)

Cuckoo bees are so called because they are parasites on other bees taking over their nests.

---- Bombus barbatellus ---- Bombus bohemicus (2) ---- Bombus campestris (2) ---- Bombus rupestris ---- Bombus sylvestris  ---- Bombus vestalis ----


Mining Bees

---- Andrena agilissima ---- Andrena barbilabris (3) ----Andrena bicolor ---- Andrena carantonica ---- Andrena chrysosceles (3) -----

---- Andrena cineraria (2) --- Andrena fulva, Tawny Mining Bee ---- Andrena haemorrhoa, Early Mining Bee ---- Andrena hattorfiana ----

---- Andrena humilis  ---- Andrena labiata ----

---- Andrena marginata ---- Andrena proxima ---- Andrena subopaca ---- Mining Bee Nestholes (2) ----

Nomad Cuckoo Bees

These are all kleptoparasitic on Andrena Mining Bees, laying eggs in their nests.

---- Nomada armata ---- Nomada flava ---- Nomada fulvicornis ---- Nomada lathburianaCuckoo Bee ----

---- Nomada marshamella, Marsham's Nomad Bee ---- Nomada ruficornis, Fork-Jawed Nomad Bee (2) ----

---- Nomada sexfasciata ---- 

Halictidae

All quite small and also known as Sweat Bees from the habit of some of the smaller ones seeking to drink from perspiration, these are the second largest family of bees.  Most species are solitary, mainly nesting in the ground but occasionally in wood.  The females can sting but only if seriously threatened and the sting is mild.

--- Halictus confususConfused Sweat Bee --- Halictus rubicundus, Orange Legged Furrow Bee ---- Halictus scabiosae ----

---- Haliictus tumulorumHalictus Bee ----

 ---- Lasioglossum albipes ---- Lasioglossum calceatum ---- Lasioglossum laevigatum ---- Lasioglossum leucozonium ---- Lasioglossum malachurum (2) ----

---- Lasioglossum minutissimum ---- Lasioglossum punctatisssimum ---- Lasioglossum puncticolle ---- Lasioglossum villosulum, Shaggy Furrow Bee ----

---- Lasioglossum xanthopusYellow Footed Solitary Bee ---- Sphecodes geoffrella ---- Sphecodes hyalinatus ---- 

---- Sphecodes niger, Dark Blood Bee ----

 Other Bees

---- Anthophora plumipes, Hairy-Foot Flower Bee  ---- Apis melifera (3), Honey Bee ---- Colletes floralis bee ---- Hylaeus annularis Bee ---- 

---- Megachile brevis, Leaf Cutter Bee ---- Megachile centuncularis, Leaf Cutter Bee ----  Megachile circumcincta, Leaf Cutter Bee  ----

---- Megachile ligniseca ---- Osmia caerulescens, Blue Mason Bee ---- Osmia spinulosa ---- Sphecodes longulus ----


British bees are in trouble - find out more, including how you can help, at www.foe.co.uk/bees

Sawflies

The sawflies are named after the sawtoothed two bladed ovipositor of the females, which is used to lay eggs by slitting  into the plant stems or leaves in which their larvae will feed. Most sawfly larvae are exclusively vegetarian.

 ---- Arge cyanocrocea, Bramble Sawfly ---- Arge melanochra ---- Arge pagana ---- Arge ustulata ---- Athalia cordata ---- 

---- Cladius brullei, Blackberry Sawfly larva ---- Dolerus fumosus ----

----  Endelomyia aethiops, Rose Sawfly (larva) ---- Eriocampa ovata, Alder Sawfly --- Macrophya annulata  ---- Nematus myosotidis ----

---- Pamphilius balteatus ---- Periclista albida ---- Rhogogaster chlorosoma ---- Selandria serva ---- Tenthredo arcuata ----

---- Tenthredo brevicornis ---- Tenthredo ferruginea ---- Tenthredo maculata ---- Tenthredo marginella (2) ----

---- Tenthredo mesomela (2) ---- Tenthredo scrophulariae ---- Tenthredo temula ----  Xiphydria camelus ----

Wasps - Ichneumon Wasps

The ichneumons are a huge group with less than one quarter of their estimated 100,000 species described and named, making identification not always possible.  Informally called wasps, they are all parasitic on larvae of other insects, either injecting eggs directly or laying them on the ground in the vicinity of the intended victims, which the hatched larvae can then reach.

  ---- Anomalonine sp. ---- Amblyjoppa fuscipennis ---- Amblyteles armatorius (2)  ---- Aoplus rubricosus ----

---- Campoplex sp. ---- Coelichneumon deliratorius ---- Coelichneumon vitalis ----

---- Cratichneumon culex ---- Cratichneumon flavifrons ---- Cryptus.sp. ---- Ctenichneumon panzeri ----

---- Diplazontinae sp ---- Echocus semirufus ---- Enicospilus combustus ---- Ichneumon albiger ----

---- Ichneumon extensorius ---- Ichneumon sarcitorius ---- Ichneumon stramentarius ----

---- Ichneumon suspiciosus ---- Ichneumon tuberculipes, ----

---- Ichneumon xanthorius --- Lissonota setosa ---- Mastrini spp. ---- Pimpla rufipes ----

---- Podoschistos vittifrons  ---- Protichneumon fusorius ---- Protichneumon similatorius ----

---- Pseudoamblyteles homocerus ---- Rhyssa persuasoria, Sabre Wasp (2) ---- 

---- Stenichneumon culpator ---- Syrphoctonus tarsatorius ---- Triptognathus fumigator ---

Wasps - Others

 ---- Andricus kollari, Marble Gall Wasp (see the section below - The Story of Marble Galls) ---- 
Cerceris rybyensis ---- Cerceris sabulosa ----

---- Ceropales maculataSpider Hunting Wasp (2)  ---- Ectemnius lituratus ---- Evagetes dubius, Spider Hunting Wasp ----

---- Gasteruption jaculator (3) ---- Mellinus arvensis, Field Digger Wasp ---- Mimumesa dahlbom ----

 ---- Nysson trimaculatus, Digger Wasp ----  Pompilidae spp. Spider Hunting Wasp ---- 

---- Sirex noctilio, Wood Wasp---- Synergus reinhardi, Chalcid Wasp ----

---- Vespa crabro, European Hornet (2)---- Vespula germanica, German Wasp (5) --- Vespula vulgaris, Common Wasp (2) ----

---- Wood Wasp ----  Zele deceptor, Brachonid Wasp ----

*The Hornet (1) was photographed by Mark Shoesmith as it emerged from its nest.

The Story of Marble Galls

Marble Galls on Oak created by the wasp, Andricus kollari, and their inhabitants

Other Galls

Galls are the distorted growths which occur on plants as a result of invasion by some organism such as an insect or fungus. All the galls listed on this page are caused by insects (mites or wasps) - which is why they are shown here, classed under Fauna. The are arranged in alphabetical order of the Latin name of the insect that causes them.

See http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/forest/ecological/plant_galls.html for an excellent explanation of the causes of galls.

---- Galls on Sycamore created by the mite, Aceria cephalonea  ---- Galls on Field Maple created by the mite, Aceria eriobia ----

---- Galls on Field Maple created by the mite, Aceria macrochela ---- Red Pustule Galls on Field Maple cretaed by the mite, Aceria myriadum ----

---- Oak Cynipid Gall caused by the wasp Andricus curvator ----

----  Gall created by the wasp Andricus grossulariae ---- Currant Galls on Oak created by the wasp, Andricus quercusbaccarum ----

---- Knopper Gall on Oak created by the wasp, Andricus quercuscalicis (4) ----  Oak Apple Gall on Oak created by the wasp, Biorhiza pallida (3) ----

---- Oak Leaf Gall (2) created by the wasp Callirhytis furva ---- Robin's Pincushion on Rose (3) created by the wasp, Diplolepis rosae ----

 ---- Galls on Blackthorn v created by the Gall Mite, Eriophyes similis ---- Hairy Beech Gall, Hartigiola annulipes ----

---- Iteomyia capreae Gall --- Spangle Galls on Oak created by the wasp, Neuropterus quercusbaccarum (2) ----

---- Red Pustule Galls and Eriopid galls on a Maple leaf created by the mite Phytoptus laevis  ----

---- Eriophid Mite galls on Wayfaring Tree Leaf created by the mite Phytoptus laevis --- Taxomyia taxi Fly Gall ----