Insects from Snowdon area July 2010

poschiavanus · #1 (**permalink**) 23-09-2011, 02:13 PM

I've just been reviewing 'photos taken on a couple of days walking at the beginning of July last year. Most aren't very good: snatching photos as the rest of the party disappears into the distance has never worked very well for me.

1. A Fritillary, this sighting shot was the only photo I got. Damp grassland around 200-250m asl.

2. A bee (?) and (leaf ?) beetle on an Orchid flower. Same location.

3. A beetle caught on a moorland path N of summit of Moel Eilio, ~ 500 m asl. About 13 mm long. I initially thought this was a carabid, but the shape of the thorax, head and small eyes give me cause to doubt this.

4. Mating snipe flies, in Cwm Glas Mawr. Presume they are Rhagio spp.

Given quality of photos and limitations of views I don't expect positive IDs, but would be like to hear suggestions as to likely candidates.

Thanks,

Posch

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 23-09-2011, 08:22 PM

Second - not sure if the bee is a Halictid (Halictus) or Andrenid (Chrysosceles-type). Something about the abdomen's shine or something looks Halictid-like to me - but photos can be difficult. The beetle looks Donacia-like.

You're right to doubt Carabid - I'd say Silphid.

poschiavanus · #3 (**permalink**) 23-09-2011, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Second - not sure if the bee is a Halictid (Halictus) or Andrenid (Chrysosceles-type). Something about the abdomen's shine or something looks Halictid-like to me - but photos can be difficult. The beetle looks Donacia-like.

You're right to doubt Carabid - I'd say Silphid.

Thanks Jason.

I did think the first beetle had the jizz of a Donacia, so I'll need to check likely foodplants.

I had ruled out Silphidae for the second because the antennae didn't seem expanded. Taking a closer look at this family, it looks close to Silpha atrata.