Assorted Insects for ID Please

LoveT · #1 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 06:34 PM

Hi all

Can I impose on your very good natures for one last time and ask if you can help me ID the following insects please? I'll try and give you as many clues as I can (which might be more hinderance than help!!)

All photos were taken around the same location - in a countryside setting, chalk downland and farmland surrounding the site where I was.

No.1:
I'm assuming this is one of the shield bug nymphs, but which one? Taken in late August

No.2:
This thing was tiny (no more than 3mm in length maximum) and moving around on a wooden handrail. Taken late August.

No.3:
Another very small insect - a fly, no more than 5mm in size. Again sitting on a wooden hand rail. Taken same time as photo above

No.4:
Again, another very small insect - I'm presuming a wasp/ichneumon of some sort, probably no more than 1cm in size maximum and very skittish. Sorry, not a very good image! Taken in July.

No.5:
Taken in a chalk downland meadow. Can't remember the exact size of this one, but it wasn't that small. Taken in June.

No.6:
Obviously ladybirds, but are these the dreaded Harlequins?

No.7:
Taken in chalk downland meadow in June. Approximate size was 1cm.

No.8:
Quite a large beetle (approximately 1 - 1 1/2cm). Chalk downland meadow again. Taken at the end of May.

Thanks very much for your patience - you deserve a medal if you can get any of these

.

Thea

Paul mabbott · #2 (**permalink**) 01-12-2009, 06:56 PM

Never worry about sending things for id! You're not guaranteed anything but it keeps us awake over the Winter! Having said that, I'm just off to hibernate for the night so just skimming the surface here.
Yes the ladybirds (#6) are Harmonia axyridis, the 'harlequin'.
Your #2 is a staphylinid of Tachinus spp, I think - I'll try to key it out tomorrow.
Your #8 looks like a chafer - more tomorrow.
Goodnight all .......