Three insects from Whisby Nature Reserve

[jdoherty]

I took these three images at Whisby Nature Reserve, near Lincoln in July 2008. I'd appreciate help with IDs. I'd also like to know if the insect in the third pic just laid two red eggs?

Thanks, John

[Dogghound]

1. Merodon equestris
2.Apis mellifera
3.Lagria hirta

[Paul mabbott]

The beetle is Lagria hirta - plenty of comments on it elsewhere in the fora. Good view of the mites attached to its nether regions: not nice!

[GuyF]

Originally Posted by jdoherty

I'd also like to know if the insect in the third pic just laid two red eggs?

As Paul says above, these are actually mites attached to the beetle, sometimes very large numbers can build up which can cause serious problems for the insect!
Guy

[squishy]

the IDs have been resolved, but i love the photos!

[Pudding4brains]

Howdy,

Originally Posted by GuyF

sometimes very large numbers can build up which can cause serious problems for the insect!

Aren't you confusing the parasitic larvae/nymphs of the likes of the velvet mite on this Lagria with the basically non-parasitic phoretic mites that often occur in great numbers on Ground and Dung Beetles etcetera (below)?


I think we had a discussion on the Lagria before - yes here it is. The checklist for Britain Paul kindly linked there seems to suggest Lagria atripes is also listed for Britain. Paul looked it up elsewhere:

Hodge & Jones note: "Lagria atripes 10-12 mm, resembling a large L. hirta. East Kent and Hampshire, rare."

I'm too lazy to look up where the Whisby Nature Reserve is at right now so I'll leave it to you folks to decide if the species should be considered

Cheers! Arp

P.S. In this thread Paul had linked a nice side-by-side of the two species

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Pudding4brains

I'm too lazy to look up where the Whisby Nature Reserve is at right now so I'll leave it to you folks to decide if the species should be considered

In Northern Ireland, Lagria atripes isnt present there.

[tristanba]

the Syrphid is Cheilosia illustrata

[GuyF]

Originally Posted by Pudding4brains

Howdy,

Aren't you confusing the parasitic larvae/nymphs of the likes of the velvet mite on this Lagria with the basically non-parasitic phoretic mites that often occur in great numbers on Ground and Dung Beetles etcetera (below)?


I think we had a discussion on the Lagria before - yes here it is. The checklist for Britain Paul kindly linked there seems to suggest Lagria atripes is also listed for Britain. Paul looked it up elsewhere:
I'm too lazy to look up where the Whisby Nature Reserve is at right now so I'll leave it to you folks to decide if the species should be considered

Cheers! Arp

P.S. In this thread Paul had linked a nice side-by-side of the two species

Ah yes, I was getting those two confused (and it was actually that very picture that I was thinking of when I said it!), but comparing the two photos I can now see the difference between them.
Guy

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by tristanba

the Syrphid is Cheilosia illustrata

Oops good call.