Some insects for ID

PeterD · #1 (**permalink**) 25-09-2009, 09:04 PM

The first is, I think, a shieldbug. Can any one ID this for me please?

Thanks

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 25-09-2009, 09:11 PM

Evening Peter,

Do you have dorsals, more top-down shots of these? The first reminds me of a bug from the Rhopalidae family. The emphasis on 'Reminds'.

Take care,

Jason

Jason Claxton · #3 (**permalink**) 25-09-2009, 09:23 PM

Looks like a Rhopalid to me as well ,not Rhopalus maculatus,not any rows of dots underneath, I agree a dorsal view would be a lot better,but the side view will show the metapleuron very well if we need it.

Jason.

PeterD · #4 (**permalink**) 25-09-2009, 09:35 PM

Good Evening and thank you both. I hope I am not breaking any rules (apologies to the moderator if I am

). The full size images can be viewed here ; New Butterflies & other Insects uploads - Imageinuk Photography - Peter Drury- powered by SmugMug and New Butterflies & other Insects uploads - Imageinuk Photography - Peter Drury- powered by SmugMug. I was unable to get the full dorsal view but I hope that these links will help you view the insect in more detail.

To the moderator. The site I have linked to is my own site on SmugMug which is also linked in my signature.

PeterD · #5 (**permalink**) 25-09-2009, 09:45 PM

The next insect is a cranefly. What troubles me is that the illustrations show TWO pairs of antenna whilst those I have seen have only ONE pair. can someone help me by explaining why this should be please?

Thanks

PeterD · #6 (**permalink**) 27-09-2009, 10:09 PM

These were taken today at Waterlooville Hants.

And this one I think is a Stilt Bug (Neides tipularius),

Thanks

Peter

Jason Green · #7 (**permalink**) 27-09-2009, 10:19 PM

Evening Peter,

Your first is a pale, worn Common Carder Bee, Bombus pascuorum going by the barred tail. Your second looks too thick-set for a Stilt Bug Berytidae member, so I'll go for a Stenodema sp. from the Miridae family instead.

Take care,

Jason

PeterD · #8 (**permalink**) 27-09-2009, 10:56 PM

Thanks again Jason and good evening.

I have looked up your suggestion for#2 and agree. I matches quite nicely with Stenodema laevigatum

.

I shall change the image titles now. Not sure if you saw the quetsion I posed earlier regarding the Cranefly. The images in my guide are quite confusing.

Jason Green · #9 (**permalink**) 27-09-2009, 11:01 PM

Nope, I did see it - the one about two pairs of antennae? Not sure... maybe post it up as a new thread?

PeterD · #10 (**permalink**) 27-09-2009, 11:06 PM

Hi Jason. I guess I have not explained it too well

.

The illustrations in the Chinery guide seem to indicate their should be two pairs of antenna. My photo is typical of all those I have seen with only one pair of antenna. Thats the reason I posed the question.

PeterD · #11 (**permalink**) 28-09-2009, 07:43 PM

Seen yesterday in Waterlooville.
The closest I can get to it is a member of the Dolichopids. I usually get it wrong

but this is my best stab from the shape etc.

Jason Green · #12 (**permalink**) 28-09-2009, 07:50 PM

It's a Dung Fly, and likely Scathophaga stercoraria. It's not necessarily one you should be familiar with, though; I think I saw the female last year (who is largely hairless in comparison!) and not a single adult this year.

PeterD · #13 (**permalink**) 28-09-2009, 08:15 PM

Good evening and thanks for replying so promptly Jason (again

).

This fly is not in my Insect guide book but I have looked it up on the web. It looks like you are spot on again

.

Wikepedia entry states that these are very common but I do not think I have seen them before. Mind you, I am seeing a lot of new things now that I have my eyes open and camera ready

.

Dogghound · #14 (**permalink**) 28-09-2009, 08:19 PM

Any rough grazing land with horses, sheep or cattle should have these. There are still alot around here.

PeterD · #15 (**permalink**) 28-09-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Any rough grazing land with horses, sheep or cattle should have these. There are still alot around here.

Thanks for the info. As I said previously, it is only when you start to look more carefully around you that you discover such diverse beauty about. we have a habit of seeing things but dismissing them as 'more of the same'

. I am so glad I have started to do Macro work as there is so much to learn and appreciate.

PeterD · #16 (**permalink**) 28-09-2009, 11:46 PM

This, I think, is a clearwing moth.

Thanks

Jason Green · #17 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 12:02 AM

Lucky you! It's one of the UK's three Scorpion flies, a Panorpa sp.

Since I've really been looking/pgotographing invertebrates in mid-2007 I have as yet been unsuccessful in trying to track one down...

Admittedly pretty similar to a clearwing, Peter!

PeterD · #18 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 07:47 AM

Good morning Jason

Thanks for the ID. Once again, my guide does not include this species

. Without your help I would have been stuck. Cheers

PeterD · #19 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 02:45 PM

This one I believe to be a Honey Bee

This one is darker but I believe is also a Honey Bee.

This moth I cannot ID

Thanks for your help

tristanba · #20 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 05:17 PM

the Rhopalid bug (first image posted in thread) is Stictopleurus punctatonervosus

small mico is final post is a Nettle tap, Anthophila fabriciana

PeterD · #21 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tristanba

the Rhopalid bug (first image posted in thread) is Stictopleurus punctatonervosus

small mico is final post is a Nettle tap, Anthophila fabriciana

Thank you for your reply and ID

PeterD · #22 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 11:03 PM

I believe this fly is Tachina fera. Its larvae feed inside other insects.

Could someone confirm or correct this please

Jason Green · #23 (**permalink**) 29-09-2009, 11:31 PM

Evening Peter!

Yes, two Honey bees in post 19, and your fly is indeed Tachina fera in #22.

Well done!

PeterD · #24 (**permalink**) 30-09-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Evening Peter!

Yes, two Honey bees in post 19, and your fly is indeed Tachina fera in #22.

Well done!

Thanks Jason. The help you and the others have given me is building up my confidence in Macro ID (Much more difficult than Bird ID but I am finding it satisfying as a pursuit

)