beetles – Suzy Blue

January 7, 2017January 15, 2017

I like to give things names …

I like to find the names of things. I’m not usually satisfied to title a photo ‘blue flower’ or ‘some kind of insect’. I like names. Sometimes it takes me ages to figure out what something is called, scouring various websites trying to match my plant or creature to one described.

Here are some of the things I’ve had to find names for over the last year. Most of them are things that were new to me this year, or if I’d seem them before I hadn’t found out what they were called. It’s always surprising that even though I generally stick to visiting the same areas again and again, I can still find something new!

By the way if you think any of my IDs are incorrect, please let me know – I’m always learning 🙂

img_9466-edit — Honey Fungus (Armillaria mellea)

img_9385-edit — Candlesnuff Fungus (Xylaria hypoxylon)

img_7515-edit — Black Darter dragonfly (female)

img_7476-edit — Black Darter dragonfly (male)

img_7484-edit — Emerald Damselfly (male)

img_7391-edit — Pale Toadflax (Linaria repens)

IMG_6558-Edit — Silver Y Moth (brown colour form) – Autographa gamma

img_4989-edit — Silver-ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata)

IMG_4928-Edit — Bumblebee-mimicking Hoverfly (Volucella bombylans)

Green Hairstreak butterfly - Callophrys rubi — Green Hairstreak butterfly – Callophrys rubi

Thistle Tortoise Beetle - Cassida rubiginosa — Thistle Tortoise Beetle – Cassida rubiginosa

If you find yourself trying to identify a plant or creature, here are some really useful websites to help you. These are only relevant if you’re in the UK. I’m sure there are equivalent websites elsewhere though.

This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Names. I went a little off topic as it said:

This week, share a photo that includes a name… Whatever you choose, make sure we can read the name!

No actual names visible in my photos I’m afraid, but they do have names 🙂

Beetle Lovin’

Yesterday in a walk around the village, it became apparent that this is a time of love and affection in the insect world. Wherever we looked there were beetles of various sorts ‘getting it on’! It was quite fascinating.

These 24-spot Ladybirds chose a lovely romantic location on a Bluebell bud

These Dock Leaf Beetles were of course on a Dock leaf. These are one of the strangest beetles I've come across - the female swells up like this full of eggs which makes her look very odd! — These Dock Leaf Beetles were of course on a Dock leaf. These are one of the strangest beetles I’ve come across – the female swells up like this full of eggs which makes her look very odd!

This little Weevil was passing while I was taking photos, and he looked curious and a little confused. In my mind he's saying "Mummy, what are the big beetles doing?!!" — This little Weevil was passing while I was taking photos, and he looked curious and a little confused. In my mind he’s saying “Mummy, what are the big beetles doing?!!”

Poor Weevil was so confused he tried to look at things from a different angle! :) — Poor Weevil was so confused he tried to look at things from a different angle! 🙂

Another pair of 24-spot Ladybirds chose a simple blade of grass for their romantic interlude

And finally, these 7-spot Ladybirds were also in an amorous mood back in the garden

Spring-fever is definitely in full flow at the moment, and we have lots of babies to look forward to. Not just insects – there are birds nesting too, and we are often seeing baby rabbits when driving out of the village too.

April 21, 2014

Early arrivals in the pond

Our pond, though not full, is already attracting lots of life. I’m not convinced some of it really intended to be in there, but even so, it is already a very interesting place to visit.

Different coloured Ground Beetles considering a future together on their rock island — These beetles were living on a temporary island made from a rock. Their island wasn’t going to survive for long, as we had the sudden realisation that there was a water-butt full of rain water just waiting for us to top up the pond with it.

Pond Skater who has moved in from his temporary home in the wheelbarrow — The Pond Skater has now moved in from his temporary home in the wheelbarrow, and seems quite content in the pond

Spider who seems quite at home messing about in the pond — This Spider seems quite at home messing about in the pond and despite my first thought that he was unable to get out, he seemed to be able to come and go as he pleased … and just liked it in there 🙂

Peculiar thing waving its tail at me — I’ve no idea what this peculiar thing waving its tail at me might be. Some kind of larva maybe? He seemed happy sitting on a rock in the pond.

Non-specific beetle beating a hasty retreat up my helpfully placed twig — This unknown beetle decided to beat a hasty retreat up my helpfully placed twig, as it realised the water level was rising, and the rock island was shrinking.

Ground Beetle contemplating the future — The shiny Ground Beetle stayed on the rock island until the bitter end, contemplating the future, until it was assisted out of harm’s way. The island is now under water.

Weevil observing the pond water from a rock — A tiny weevil observed the rising pond water from another rock, before making himself scarce before he came into any danger

July 12, 2013

Wasp Beetle with Attitude

This tough-looking creature was spotted in the garden yesterday evening. He wasn’t phased at all that Bruce tried to catch him in a plastic pot, and just looked up at me with this “what you looking at?” kind of attitude! He is a very nice specimen of a Wasp Beetle – very striking and colourful, with long legs. After a few photos he was returned to his bit of wood, where he proceeded to clean the human off him with great care! 🙂

June 30, 2013

Dog Roses

There’s a little clearing down the road where there are often bugs to be seen, but there are also some lovely Dog Roses. This photo is looking closely into the heart of the flower at the stamens. In this case the flower was unoccupied, but often you’ll find they have beetles on board. Is it me, or do those beetles look strangely strokable and furry!?

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