Some for id from today in Essex.

[Lesinlondon]

Today at Knighton Wood, Buckhurst Hill, Essex. Any id's appreciated. Thanks, Les. Canon EOS 500D, Sigma 105mm and Sigma macro ring flash (which needs a bit of diffusion).

1. One of the most stunning creatures I have seen, appearance wise. Pictures don't do it justice, it was a shimmering selection of sparkling greens, glittering in the sunshine.





2. Several of these tiny flies about.



3. Found this under some dead wood, which I carefully replaced. Returned and hour later and it was gone.



4. Some sort of centipede I assume, very colourful.



5. Several creatures eating other creatures today, which I don't usually see.



6. and this



7. Never seen these before, several of them about. Get too close and they just roll off the leaf.





8. A Soldier beetle, maybe?



9. Another beetle.

[Lesinlondon]

I think I got 8. from another thread id - Cantharis rustica.

[2dogs2000]

I think 1 is a sawfly and 7 is a click beetle. The saw fly looks like ...Tenthredo mesomelas - green legged sawfly but that is not a definite.

[Lesinlondon]

Thanks for that. I also think 1. is a sawfly, but never seen this green colour before. Seen similar but red colouring.

[Klaas Reißmann]

Click beetle for no.7 is right. Athous haemorrhoidalis to identify it exactly.

Congratulations to Lesinlondon, because Cantharis rustica (no.8) is right, too, but not to easy to identify, because of Cantharis fusca which is very similar. To make a goal in this one is real good work.

No.9 is a groundbeetle of the genus Nebria. This time it is Nebria brevicollis. I even don't know if the very similar Nebria salina occurs in GB.

Regards
Klaas

[Rambling Rob]

Hello Les,

I'm a bit out of touch with insects but reckon 6 might be a digger wasp - looks like it has caught a fly too!

All the best, Rob

[Lesinlondon]

Thanks Klaas, for these id's. I checked against finds for previous years for 8. (one I got possible id from other thread) and it looked most like Cantharis rustica.

Thanks Rob (Hello mate!) I didn't notice the fly I'ts got hold of till I got home, same for 5.

Les.

[Jason Green]

Evening Les,

2 is an Empoid, could be an Empid. I'll give 6 some thought. It's a Sphecid which generally aren't always do-able photographically, but John may have a suggestion or two here.

Originally Posted by Klaas Reißmann

This time it is Nebria brevicollis. I even don't know if the very similar Nebria salina occurs in GB.

Hi Klaas! Yes, it does - but less commonly than brevicollis. For a quick way of checking, try the NBN: National Biodiversity Network Gateway, put the name in the box on the top-right. I find it to be pretty accurate checklist-wise.

Take care,

Jason

[Lesinlondon]

Evening Jason. Thanks for these. And here's another of that Nebria brevicollis. Amazing mouthparts.

[Klaas Reißmann]

Hi Jason,

nice pages. Thanks for these informations.

Regards
Klaas