Bugsnapz

[bugsnapz]

Bugsnapz update, unknown Ichneumon wasp

This tiny Ichneumon wasp flew past me with its hind legs dangling underneath it. I thought it was an ichneumon but I had never seen one like this before. On equiring further I was advised by a friend from the 'animal toy forum' that there are approx. 2,400 species of ichneumonids in Great Britain. Hence the reason I can't name it but boy was I exicited on finding a new ichneumon I had never seen before. Enjoy and let me know if you know its name.



Check out the new sister site at http://fungisnapz.blogspot.co.uk/

Thanks, Bugsnapz

[brontodocus]

Yes, those parasitoid wasps are pretty but a nightmare to identify. In our courses in identifying animal species at our university we simply let our students identify these to family level because anything further than that isn't possible with the standard literature we are using.

[bugsnapz]

Another Bugsnapz picture.

I have put two pics of the Figwort sawfly on the Bugsnapz site so please check them both out. It gives this front view and a rear view. Enjoy.



Bugsnapz

[bugsnapz]

Hi to all for 2014. Here is a picture to remind us all that Spring is just around the corner. Enjoy.

Bee cleaning wing (Andrena haemorrhoa)



Bugsnapz

[bugsnapz]

Another update to cheer you up. Cute spiders! Love them. Here is a cute orb spider trying to hide on a flower head of bright yellow broom. Enjoy.



Bugsnapz.

[AnimalToyForum]

Another update to cheer you up. Cute spiders! Love them. Here is a cute orb spider trying to hide on a flower head of bright yellow broom. Enjoy.



Bugsnapz.

Very nice

[brontodocus]

Nice! This one belongs to the genus Araniella but I can't tell which species. It's either a male (but I can't see the pedipalps) or an immature specimen and even the adults would have to be identified by genital morphology to species level. But the pattern of black spots on the opisthosome is typical for e.g. Araniella cucurbitina. The opisthosome would turn greenish in adult specimens in spring.

[bugsnapz]

Thanks for the update Brontodocus. I will update the post in Bugsnapz.

Regards,

Bugsnapz

[bugsnapz]

Bugsnapz update,

I do not know the name of this spider but was very impressed with how well you can see the joint structure and connection to the body. Amazing and it looks quite chilled too.



Enjoy, Bugsnapz. PS don't forget to check out the Fungisnapz link on the main Bugsnapz page.

[AnimalToyForum]

Bugsnapz update,

I do not know the name of this spider but was very impressed with how well you can see the joint structure and connection to the body. Amazing and it looks quite chilled too.



Enjoy, Bugsnapz. PS don't forget to check out the Fungisnapz link on the main Bugsnapz page.

Oh dear, that gives me the creeps!

[brontodocus]

Nice one! It's a harvestman and apparently it's Dicranopalpus ramosus which originally comes from Morocco but which is know widespread all over Europe. I've seen them outside of our house, too.

[AnimalToyForum]

Nice one! It's a harvestman and apparently it's Dicranopalpus ramosus which originally comes from Morocco but which is know widespread all over Europe. I've seen them outside of our house, too.

Do you know if that spread out pose is unusual, or indicative of some sort if behaviour? It strikes me as slightly odd...

[brontodocus]

It looks odd but it's typical for the species. When I find one on a house wall the legs are always stretched out like that, unlike other harvestmen species.

[tyrantqueen]

Bugsnapz update,

I do not know the name of this spider but was very impressed with how well you can see the joint structure and connection to the body. Amazing and it looks quite chilled too.



Enjoy, Bugsnapz. PS don't forget to check out the Fungisnapz link on the main Bugsnapz page.

Oh dear, that gives me the creeps!

Your dad must have nerves of steel

[AnimalToyForum]

Bugsnapz update,

I do not know the name of this spider but was very impressed with how well you can see the joint structure and connection to the body. Amazing and it looks quite chilled too.



Enjoy, Bugsnapz. PS don't forget to check out the Fungisnapz link on the main Bugsnapz page.

Oh dear, that gives me the creeps!

Your dad must have nerves of steel

I think he just uses a good zoom lens to get so close 

[bugsnapz]

New Bugsnapz update, Millipede. Not sure which one but guessed at Cylinder millipede (Cylindroiulus punctatus) which is just one out of around 450 in the family Julidae.



I have been meaning to update my pictures for some time so here at last is the first of a few more from Bugsnapz.

Enjoy, Bugsnapz.

[Newt]

I registered just so I could tell you how much I enjoy your photos! 

It's especially interesting for me seeing all these European species- I'm from the eastern US, so everything looks very familiar, but not quite right.  I had the same feeling when I got to visit Japan a few years ago.  The patterns of faunal distribution in these wet north-temperate regions are fascinating.

It's a bit odd to me to hear you guys consider mantids rare (or were you just speaking of that particular species?). European and Chinese mantids are abundant over here, much more common than our native species.

[brontodocus]

I registered just so I could tell you how much I enjoy your photos! 

It's especially interesting for me seeing all these European species- I'm from the eastern US, so everything looks very familiar, but not quite right.  I had the same feeling when I got to visit Japan a few years ago.  The patterns of faunal distribution in these wet north-temperate regions are fascinating.

It's a bit odd to me to hear you guys consider mantids rare (or were you just speaking of that particular species?). European and Chinese mantids are abundant over here, much more common than our native species.

The European Mantis, Mantis religiosa, may be a common sight in Southern Europe (e.g. Spain, Italy, Southern France, Greece) but further northward (from 46° N on) it's much rarer. There are only very few warm spots in Germany where it occurs (and it isn't even sure if it's an autochthonous occurence or if they have been accidentally introduced by the ancient Romans with grapevine). They are adapted to continental climate with hot summers and cold winters, in Germany and Britain the climate is more oceanic with a lower amplitude of temperature over the year. Especially the cooler, often rainy summers are not good for mantids.

[bugsnapz]

Hi Newt, Thanks you for your kind comments. I am pleased you like my pictures and thanks to Brontodocus for his great explanation. I can't say I have seen a mantis in England where I live. It took me some time to find them in Menorca as they are the same colour as the brush grass they hide in.
Here is one of the cutest insects I know. It is the Bee Fly (Bombylius major) and they look like a ball of brown fluff. They look menacing but they are quite harmless.


You will find a couple of them on the Bugsnapz web page along with all my other insect photo's at http://bugsnapz.blogspot.co.uk/

Enjoy, Bugsnapz

[bugsnapz]

Bugsnapz update, a cute and cuddly tawny mining bee.



I love these critters and yes they do look cute. Enjoy

Bugsnapz