July 2022

insectsandflight.com
all pictures © robin williams

July 2022: wildlife, from the Somerset Levels

July 29th 2022. For a variety of reasons, the previous day's invertebrate group meeting was cancelled. This morning my daughter Fiona and I decided to make up for it with our own mini-expedition into much the same area. Driving down Jack' Drove we came across the most extraordinary event. At the top of the drove, there are a couple of fields tucked under the hill on Tealham, but still on the flat. Both these had been cut and the great circular bales of hay left to dry out, scattered round as the machine left them. Nothing strange about that but it was extraordinary to see solitary buzzards standing on many of them. We pulled up behind a bush and leapt out for - inevitably - the camera was in the boot. One or two had left but many were still in position, standing like statues, not looking around but posed, and unmoving, almost as if they were digesting after a fine club breakfast. I managed to retrieve the camera, roll down the window and take some shots. They show what happened, but not the sight as we first came across it - at least ten of these fine birds on their hay bales.

Common buzzard, Buteo buteo

One last shot was of a dufferent, large bird of prey sitting on a gate opposite While it is not the greatest of shots, I am pretty sure it is a male Goshawk, really unusual. The sharp white stripe is far stronger than that of a a female Sparrowhawk, with which it might be confused, as is the white marking in front of the head/beak. I find it difficult to believe, but all the pictures I have seen of large birds of prey with barred brests come to the same conclusion

Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis m

We drove on and parked in front of the Youth Hostel at Marshall's Elm on the Poldens. It was a very hot, cloudless day and we did not know what to expect. Were there any insects around? We were not disappointed, spending the next hour or so watching and photographing as many insects as we could have hoped. It is even better than I remembered from previous visits. Masses of wild flowers, patches of shade, buzzing insects darting in and out. Centaurea nigra, Common knapweed, provided the most prominent colouring of the area behind the car park, though were many other species in among them. We were spoiled for choice, butterflies, grasshoppers, honeybees in numbers, bumblebees and a variety of flies.

Common blue, Polyommatus icarus

Small skipper, Thymelicus flavus

Meadow grasshopper, Chorthippus parallelus

Honeybee, Apis mellifera w, on Mellilot

We spent a while among these rich pickings, then decided to walk on eastwards towards the cross roads, remembered for other favoured bee-areas. The walk took us along the track, through some woodland and would have taken us out into the open again, but we turned round before that having exhausted ourselves with the great concentration need to follow our tiny prey on a such a hot, humid day. The most remarkable plants were found along the edge of the track, great sprawling, colourful burdocks (Arctium minus), all of which were in full flower and clearly exuding just the rich perfumes to attract a great many insects. I suspect the flowers last in this stage only for a comparatively short period, compounded by the extreme heat of the day (well over 30C). Whatever the reasons, they were like magnets, as well being so colourful in close-up. From a distance, the flowers are overwhelmed by the grey-green of the plant. Under the lens, they are like jewels, showing only the colours of the flowers and their stamens, so powerful.

bumblebee, Bombus pascuorum

Of the many creatures to catch our eyes, one was a quite distinctive picture wing fly. Tiny, basically yellow, with distinctively-patterned wings, I felt sure I would find them in a book on tephritids I had at home. But it took much more than that. Eventually, it turned out to be a species marked with a query against burdock in Britain. No wonder it did not turn up under normal criteria. At least we have proved it does indeed use this flower, as there were many of them hard at work here. Their normal plant-host is is Centaurea nigra, of which there were plenty present, as well as various thistles (Cirsium & Cardui). It was interesting to see the differences between the male and female. Picture wing flies tend to be specific to one species at a time, devoting the whole of their live, mating, feeding on the flower-heads, existing in the shelter of that plant. Perhaps these particular insects were fall-outs from the nearby C. nigra?

picture winged fly, Chaetostomella cylindrica f

picture winged fly, Chaetostomella cylindrica m

picture winged fly, Chaetostomella cylindrica f

picture winged fly, Chaetostomella cylindrica m & f

Other 'unusual' insects were numbers of male Bombus lucorum bumblebees, not normally characterised in this manner, as the species is said to one of the commonest. However, I have not come across them this year so far, while they were present in some numbers. The male is absolutely characteristic, with masses of yellow hairs, a teddy bear of an insect, smothered in its yellow coat They were only the second true bumblebees visible in this tiny piece of Somerset. There did not appear to be any workers or queens.

bumblebee, Bombus lucoruma m

Cuckoo bumblebees were there in some numbers. Their life-cycle depends on taking over nests of true bumblebees, so it is likely the latter were there, even if we saw no signs. If not, they will be in bad trouble. Nature is full of the needs of synergy for success. The various cuckoo bumbles can be tricky to recognize until the realisation comes that you can do it. There is a definite specific 'jizz' for each.

cuckoo bumblebee, Bombus barbutellus m

One thing did surprise; where were the masses of tiny Lasioglossum and Halictus mining bees expected at this time of year, in this habitat? The only one I came across was this one below, a common species normally. Has the hot weather had an effect? Is the time-span for their flight affected, so they only coincide partially with their particular flower-pollen and nectar? Time will tell. Whatever, it will pay to keep an eye on this area with its wonderful herbage.

mining bee, Lasioglossum leucozonium f

I was fortunate to come across one little drama which was captured below. Ichneumons, parasitic wasps, are predators of a great many species of insects, often specific to one. Unfortunately, there are a very large number of members of this family and no-one has presented us with any means of distinguishing them, with the exception of a few very common species. They are fascinating to watch, often colourful and extremely athletic. I have been unable to find out anything about this one other than it is a typical ichneumon, a female with characteristic long ovipositor sheaths. These sheaths are paired and wrap round an incredibly slender ovipositor designed to search out prey, drill down and lay eggs. It is impossible to imagine the strength of the ovipositor walls as the insect pushes down into the target, holding it straight and absolutely rigid. The pictures show a sequence of one such action in detail - approaching the prey deep in the plant-host, chemically sniffing out the exact position of the target, holding the ovipositor sheaths back, while the ovipositor searches below, then thrusting down to lay the egg either in or on the larvae below.

ichneumon, Parasitica f

There were plenty of flies interested in the plants, particularly hoverflies. Somehow there did not seem to be time to concentrate on these with all the other distractions, but a couple caught my eye. I hope all the pictures reflect the sheer enjoyment of this remarkable visit.

hoverfly, Rhingia campestris f

hoverfly, Syrphus ribesii f

July 25th 2022. Passing by Catcott, journeying elsewhere, this picture of egrets in a dark sky fitted the mood of the moment. How nature can amaze you yet again.

Cattle egrets, Bubulcus ibis

July 21st 2022. Romey and I had a most interesting visit to Catcott Lows towards the end of the afternoon. The reason for this was apparent the moment we entered the drove leading to the hide. A great mass of white tucked in one corner turned out to be composed of many Cattle egrets. Someone who saw the main body fly in and photographed them with a drone, said there were over 120. As we arrived, more were filing in from the edge of the reserve, while others left. The attraction for them was a herd of black cattle feeding on the near- side of the water. One large bunch of egrets slept and preened themselves opposite, on the other side of the open water, The rest were to one side of the bullocks, leaning forward and picking off flies as they appeared - all without apparently disturbing these excitable young cattle.

Cattle egrets, Bubulcus ibis

July 18th 2022. A period spent during the morning watching the leafcutters at work on the logs. The majority were of one species, larger, hairier and extremely busy constructing their nests. Numerous cut leaves were brought in and the most interesting were worked close to the surface, where all the twists and turns could be seen.

leafcutter bee, Megachile willughbiella f

At the end of all the construction phase they left a variety of closures. The example below is unusual. involving parts of a flower, but the consistent note is of a perfect finish inside being capped with some very flimsy covers, often shrivelled leaves hanging half out of the hole. Is this supposed to be camouflage or just something to help protect from the rain - at which it seems ineffective? Mason bees offer a much smoother finish than these leafcutters.

leafcutter bee nest, Megachile spp.

Amidst all the activity a couple of ichneumons arrived to test out various nest holes for activity. She parasitizes Osmia mason bee species and one or two solitary wasps, being able to probe the very deepest of nest chambers with her long ovipositor.

ichneumon, Ephialtes manifestator f

July 15th 2022. I spent another fascinating morning perched on my chair overlooking the log-flats and surrounding Hedge woundwort (Stachys sylvatica)and the huge plant of Vipers' bugloss (Echium vulgare) with its unbelievable blue flowers. Most surprising was to find a tiny black insect dwarfed by the stamen of the bugloss, a matter of just over 4mm in length. I caught a glimpse of movement catching the light, rather than actually spotting that it was a bee, a female Hylaeus brevicornis, one of the yellow-faced solitary bees. The camera did an amazing job in separating the bee from its background.

yellow-faced bee, Hylaeus brevicornis f

A flower bee was busy darting from one nectar source to another on the woundworts, travelling fast and furiously with a high-pitched hum from its wings - the sound that first alerted me to its presence. They are here for a rather short period but so good to see. They exude energy consistent with the sound of the wings.

flower bee, Anthophora furcata f

Thankfully, many leafcutter bees were hard at work, crossing and criss-crossing over their nest holes, carrying loads of pollen or leaf-sections beneath their abdomens. Although we have not seen a single Osmia mason bee this year, leafcutters are definitely on the increase once more. At one stage, I despaired about them also.

leafcutter bee, Megachile centuncularis f

leafcutter bee, Megachile versicolor f

leafcutter bee, Megachile versicolor f

leafcutter bee, Megachile willughbiella f

July 8th 2022. In the morning, a peaceful, really hot hour or so was spent bent over the camera on its monopod. It is not as uncomfortable as it sounds, sitting on a garden chair in front of the log flats is fine, while the monopod may be adjusted to the most comfortable angle. Nevertheless, at the end I was stiff as well as exhausted from extreme concentration on small insects in violent motion. It was all worthwhile, a series of pictures of leafcutter bees bringing in materiel and building their nests - there were several species engaged in this activity. While some people can hold a camera completely steady, I am not in this category but a monopod, adding a third arm to my legs, pressed down firmly, together with flash, produces perfectly sharp results. The camera is set on autofocus, then focussed briefly on a either the actual creature, or in the case of an insect bringing in leaves, where it is expected to appear.. Then it is a case of waiting. This morning was extremely active. There are many leafcutter bees flying round, some males hoping still to mate, females carrying pollen or leaves, crossing and crisscrossing. Often there were queues waiting to get into a particular hole. All this brings with it an air of excitement, the culmination of their lives.

A late visit to Catcott Lows did not promise much, more an attempt at fresh air after a hot, muggy day but there was an unexpected drama as more than forty Cattle egrets took to the air, as well as scrapping birds of prey.

Cattle egrets, Bubulcus ibis

Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus, attacking Common buzzard, Buteo buteo

Common buzzaed, Buteo buteo

Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus, mobbing Common buzzard, Buteo buteo

Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus

July 6th 2022. The first meeting of the Invertebrates group that I have been able to attend this year. A fine day, though hotter than I had imagined when I set off for Shapwick Heath. I parked at the entrance by the South Drain, to find the others already there; John M. the organiser, Úna G, Ron W, Chris H. and Margaretha, all bursting to go. We stopped to look at the various bushes of Broad-leaved everlasting peas (Lathyrus latifolius) that have been there for years. They are heavily overgrown by grass, nowhere like the days of glory when the truly rare Bombus sylvarum was to be found from year to year - believed now long absent. Most of the bushes were near-hidden among course grasses, while there was no sign of inssects making for them on this hot, humid day.

Broad-leaved everlasting pea, Lathyrus latifolius

Almost the first insect we saw was a damselfly being consumed by a harvestman, such vivid blue eyes.

harvestman, Phalangium opilio, & Common blue damselfly, Enallagma cyathigerum m

Spider-skin, following periodic moult

Our walk took us in to the Sweet Track, usually a great source of insect life. but it was disappointing, the problem being terrific plant growth this year, confining the view to the first few inches of growth, rather than deep into the herbage. The first place we thought we might have some luck, was an area with Yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris) growing on the western bank of the ditch. The growth of this plant used to be in a series of plants in the open, at the right time of the year - now- would have been buzzing with tiny bees with really odd-looking legs. Macropis europaea relied on these strange leg shapes and hairs to collect oil from the loosestrife to build their nests, upon which they were totally reliant, a perfect example of symbiosis. On this occasion, there was no sign of the bees and the few loosestrife were hidden in the green growth all round. It was known previously as the only site in Somerset. Whetter they are still present is unknown. When the track reached the main cross track, the others went straight on to cross a field and back onto the area by the huge old pollard oak known so well to locals. I knew I would find this difficult and turned left to take me down to the main track skirting the water. The huge reed-bed had grown so strongly that the ditch alongside had totally vanished and with it the dragonflies for which I had been hoping. It had always been the area to go to look out for the various sizes of dragon flu, darter and damselfly. Is this the reduction we have been seeing with so many insects or are they dispersed more widely and unseen? Eventually the heat and my legs defeated me and I turned back after realising that somehow I had to get back along the same distance! I came across a fair cross-section of insect life during the walk but in tiny numbers, or singly, instead of the quantities for which the area has been known in the past. Here are the remainder of the finds. The shield bug shown below is a good example, I have seen few of these amazing-looking creatures in recent years, where they used to be really abundant, particularly in damper areas.

shield bug, Dolycorus baccarum

hoverfly, Helophilus pendulus f

hoverfly, Xylota sylvarum m

hoverfly, Xylota segnis f

It was good to come across another cuckoo bumblebee, the species I have been finding also elsewhere, tricky to identify, with variable and messy bands on the abdomen.

cuckoo bumblebee, Bombus barbutellus m

It was interesting to pick out this tiny yellow-face bee. I photographed her without thought, with no idea what I was seeing, except it was dark and very small. On the computer she became obvious, the commonest of the species, the sexes varyng from 4.5 to 7mm in length - definitely tiny. Males have a clearly-marked yellow face, whereas this female only has small yellow marks below the antennae, as well on the thorax and back legs, quite distinctive. Other than this, I have only seen them at the drilled logs at home where they have nested in the past.

solitary, or yellow-face bee, Hylaeus communis f

Skullcap, Scutellaria galericulata - the most beautiful mauve

July 4th 2022. A superb morning spent by the log flats, and watching nsects feeding on nearby plants. Great favourites are the brilliant blue Viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare) and the more subtle flowers of Hedge woundwort (stachys sylvatica), both attracting bees and bumblebees. One of my favourites is the flower bee, Anthophora furcata, enjoying both.

flower bee, Anthophora furcata f

cuckoo bumblebee, Bombus barbutellus f

leafcutter bee, Megachile ligniseca f

The logs produced a particularly varied and interesting crop of opportunities, jewel wasps, cukoo bees and tiny, thread-like digger wasps (what they look like with through bare eyes, appearing much more shaped under the close-up lens though). The Coelioxys is a cuckoo on Megachile willughbiella, though it cannot know whether these are present until she explores more deeply

cuckoo bee, Coelioxys elongata f

What astonishing colours! Why are some groups blessed with such glory, while others are camouflaged? I have identified four species on our logs over the years.

Chrysura radians, 8-11mm long, preys on Osmia spp. (rarer, but regular here); red & green; rounded, hairy end to gaster

Chrysis angustula, 6-9mm long, red & green; toothed end of gaster; preys on Symmorphus bifasciatus

Chrysis mediata, 6-10mm long, red & green; toothed end to gaster; preys on Odynerus spinipes,

Trichrysis cyanea, 4-8mm long, all blue-green, preys on Trypoxylon & Pemphredon spp. & Chelostoma florisomne

jewel wasp, Chrysis mediata

digger wasp, Crossocerus annulipes f

Gradually, I am becoming more familiar with the photographic images of the various tiny, black, Crossocerus and other related digger wasps. Most of the ones likely to turn up in our logs can eventually be separated out with the help of sharp pictures. If not visible on the screen, an A4 print will show more detail. The various points to look for include colour on the gaster, legs, and scape; rings of white or ple colour on black legs or leg joints; hairiness, size and flight periods. I have built up tables of these characteristics, but solely for those species likely to be found in this area on log-nests, avoiding packing in too many features that do not apply, as I have also with other local bee and wasp species.

digger wasp, Crossocerus annulipes f

digger wasp, Crossocerus styrius f

digger wasp, Ectemnius continuus f

July 1st 2022. A fine day, with a short session spent observing activity on the drilled logs in front of the house. Two unexpected insects surprised me, the leafcutter bee the most. I suspect I may have missed other appearances of this bee, confusing it with a fresh specimen of another species. It is known as breeding and living on the cast, not so far away, also on inland heaths - normal nesting is in sand, but wood has been reported previously. I must go through likely pictures and see if they have been missed in the past. (It turned out that I have indeed misidentified a few of these in the past. Males are more difficult than the females with their obvious en brosse haircut).

leafcutter bee, Megachile circumcincta f

It turned out to be a mixed bag but worth the effort. A female M. centuncularis flew in, to offer a good comparison with M. circumcincta. I was particularly pleased to find Bombus hortorum; last year saw few, here they are in relative profusion once again. Much the same can be said about the honeybee (Apis mellifera). Last year was notable for their absence. The little black Crossocerus styrius was a species I have not seen for a while.

leafcutter bee, Megachile centuncularis f

bumblebee, Bombus hortorum m

Honeybee, Apis mellifera w

digger wasp, Crossocerus styrius f