The 'Active winter invertebrates' thread!

[Jason Green]

That's fine Acher - you need a specimen under a microscope and study the genitals for certainty! Generically they may be Winter Gnats, from the Trichoceridae family.

Thanks for updating the thread!

[Dutchess]

Talking of gnats, I saw loads of them hovering in groups (as they do) over the large garden pond on xmas day! It seemed a strange sight - looking just like summer! And then, when I was seeing people to the door at 10pm, a large blow fly (albeit very dozy) buzzed in! It seemed acrazy thing, when only last week, our temps were below freezing and we had snow.

D.

[watsthat]

This turned up today even though it was drizzling and the temperature was zero to 1 deg. I think its a dung fly but not very certain?



Pete

[loripo]

From New Years day:





A small mirid(?) <2mm and a hairy fly. Thought the first might be Deraeocoris lutescens. Also saw a minute shieldbug.

[pressld2]

Had a mosquito chewing on my thumb today at Oare Marshes. I was busy photographing snipe so I let her get on with it.

Dave P.

[aeshna5]

Not exactly active, but on our trip to Pitsea today I was asked to go in the ladies + identify a moth. Near the ceiling was a Herald moth- my first insect of the year!

[tristanba]

Originally Posted by loripo

Thought the first might be Deraeocoris lutescens.

Quite right

[loripo]

Thanks to your erm website

[Paul mabbott]

We're well past the solstice now so perhaps shouldn't be surprised if insects are becoming active again. I've seen nothing outdoors (under the snow) but had a seven-spot ladybird coccinella septempunctata climbing up the stairs today. Also found one two days ago in the Midlands although that was not very active - someone had trodden on it ...

[Paul mabbott]

On a seriously cold day but with patches of bright sunshine saw only one insect - Harmonia axyridis, harlequin ladybird - basking. Incidentally lots of intact pupae (asme species) although I doubt if they're still viable.