Ectopsocus petersi maybe but the spots don't look dark enough, could be E. brigsii or not. I thought the antennae look longer than usual .. 26th December '11
We had sun for a while late this morning, but there wasn't any insects about as it was still quite cold. It only got to 9C, later there was a little more sun and a couple of bumbles landed on the door but weren't going to the Crocus. I checked my neighbour's Mahonia, they were turning up there off and on but eventually the sky clouded over and it became colder.
I got a honey bee, some of the same Bumbles, but today B. hypnorum turned up! I also got the male Anthophora plumipes, and this time I spotted the female but she was being secretive feeding from flowers at the back of the shrubs. I got some shots though!
Episyrphus balteatus female .. 27th December '11. Notice how there is a bronzy patch above the scutellum, it almost looked like damage but the stripes go around it.
Heleomyzidae, Heteromyza rotundicornis male seems to fit.. he was on the inside of the kitchen window so I squatted on the sink drainer for ages until I got enough good shots! 7th January '12 Only 5-6mm
Mycetophilidae, Greenomyia mongolica ... only the second record in the country for 2011, and only 7 previous known locations all further south of course. Luckily I had my camera with me, it landed briefly on the door, did a run then flew off! 26th December '11. It was around 5mm.
Sphaeroceridae ~5mm, could be Copromyza stercoraria. See the baby spider in the first pic, it's the same one I posted above. The fly stopped when it saw it! On the window again on 7th January, it looks like I get a lot of flies inside! Some must come in at night when I open the door, they are attracted to the outside light with moths.
No sun here the whole day and it is more chilly too, only 7C, this morning it was 2C.
Two day ago during a brief sunny spell I have seen my very first Eristalis tenax female, very shiny dark nearly black and fresh looking, she was warming herself on an Anemone blanda flower, of course when I returned with the camera she was gone
No bees yet, but I only had 10 Crocus open, they are so late this year.
I have seen a couple of 'ordinary' houseflies too and a Blue Bottle and a few 7- Spots.
Wow, your honeybees are early and I thought very early for Anthophora plumipes too, I usually see mine first when the Pulmonaria open up their first flowers..
Brave little Dicyrtomina saundersi! So cute!
You must have had sun on 27th December, Hylemya vagans female looks relaxed and enjoying on the sunny wall.
Aha, Greenomyia mongolica; your last 'not-allowed-to have' fly of last year!
Orchesella villosa looks better protected from the cold than Dicyrtomina saundersi with its furry coat.
The sky was clear blue at around 11am today, with only a haze around the horizon and it was still, but only 7C. I had high hopes, but within half an hour there was completely grey skies with a little breeze. The temp. was supposed to get to 9C but it didn't feel like it. It's supposed to be 13C tomorrow with some rain, no sun, I doubt we will get much rain if any, it just doesn't rain here any more. The next day should be 14C with some sun, I'm waiting to see.
My honey bees were earlier last year, on crocus on 16th February which was amazingly early! I have only seen one or two so far on Mahonia in my neighbour's garden, I still need Mahonia.
Yes there was sun on 27th December, the sky was blue, but I don't remember if it lasted for long, it might have been like today.
This Calliphora is a bit suspect, the tegula is more black than yellow. There are other species which are not so common, it resembles C. subalpina. The tail end has an unusual shape too! 16th January
Photography & appreciation of all living insects or invertebrates including frogs, bees, butterflies and moths etc. many of which can be found in your garden or pond.
6th January
I thought the antennae look longer than usual .. 26th December '11
