Beetle, Caterpillar & Spidey for ID please!

SilverW0lf · #1 (**permalink**) 15-09-2008, 09:17 AM

The beetle & spider pics were taken at Pennington Flash on Friday (12th Sept)

#1 small black beetle (about fingernail size)

#2 Both pics are of the same spider, the colour on the second photo is more representative

The fly & caterpillar pics were taken on farmland near blackburn on Friday (12th Sept)

#3

#4 Does anyone know of a good online resource for caterpillars? (especially moth ones)

Lance Morgan · #2 (**permalink**) 15-09-2008, 10:01 AM

Catty is a Knot Grass Moth. UK moths is a good resource
UKMoths - Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis
or
http://www.ukleps.org/CommNamesAlphabetical.html

Paul mabbott · #3 (**permalink**) 15-09-2008, 11:26 AM

The beetle is a leaf-beetle (Chrysomelidae) - eating willow? That's a good clue! How large was it?

Kia · #4 (**permalink**) 15-09-2008, 12:07 PM

The spider is a female Araneus Diadematus I believe, or Garden Spider.

KeenTeen17 · #5 (**permalink**) 15-09-2008, 12:12 PM

not sure what species but great photos!

SilverW0lf · #6 (**permalink**) 15-09-2008, 12:24 PM

My guess (I really have to start carrying a small ruler about!) would be 7mm nose to tail (not counting antennae)

A picture of the tree they were feasting on... sorry my knowledge of plantlife is even worse than my knowledge of insects!

Paul mabbott · #7 (**permalink**) 15-09-2008, 03:24 PM

Alder, Alnus glutinosa; we don't have to look far to find Agelastica alni

maggot at toad hall · #8 (**permalink**) 15-09-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kia

The spider is a female Araneus Diadematus I believe, or Garden Spider.

I agree with Kia. This spider naturally has a few variations in the colours from light brown with ginger to mid brown and yellowish to blackish brown and cream.

At the moment, in my garden, you can easily find males of the species courting the females...very carefully.