Bugsnapz

[AnimalToyForum]

I'm sure you are glad that spring is here and the insects will soon be coming out in force 

[brontodocus]

Nice shot! These mining bees can be horribly difficult to identify (there are approx. 130 Andrena species within Central Europe) but this one is an exception because there is no other species from that genus with the same colouration (I've just checked Bellmann 2010 "Bienen, Wespen, Ameisen" and yes, that's Andrena fulva).

[bugsnapz]

Thanks Brontodocus, I'm glad I got the name right. I hope you like this weevil, they are yet another favourite of mine.



I saw this out the corner of my eye and went to check as they are so small but with a pronotum like that they do tend to stand out a bit. It was very polite and let me take a few pics before it turned and walked back down the grass. Other smaller weevils usually just let go and drop to the floor and are difficult to see after that.

Enjoy, Bugsnapz

[AnimalToyForum]

The weevil is nice, such a funny looking creature!

[bugsnapz]

Bugsnapz update, two for one day today. Enjoy two beautiful damsel flies.





Bugsnapz

[widukind]

Great pics 

[Newt]

Ooh, nice!  Is that a Calopteryx up top?

[AnimalToyForum]

Ooh, nice!  Is that a Calopteryx up top?

I believe so...but which species!?

[Newt]

Not a clue. I don't know y'all's crazy Palearctic bugs!

[bugsnapz]

Hi both, it is a Banded Damoiselle, Calopteryx splendens as far as I am aware.

Here is the latest Bugsnapz update, turn away now if you are a gardener!!

Winged aphid (Periphyllus acericola)


Enjoy, Bugsnapz

[bugsnapz]

This is just one of three updates to the Bugsnapz web site, please check the others out. There is a frog and a lizard from Ibiza to look at. Enjoy



Bugsnapz

[brontodocus]

A beautiful bug! I've never seen it in the wild (it's a mediterranean species) but there is a closely related species from the same genus (Graphosoma) that occurs in Germany, too, the Italian Striped Bug Graphosoma lineatum. I'm not sure but I guess you may have it in Britain, too. Like some other insects that prefer warmer habitats, this one is currently expanding its geographical range northward. And this year is the first time we have it in our garden!

Here's Graphosoma lineatum from our home garden for comparison:

[bugsnapz]

Hi Brontodocus, you are quite right about the other variation and I did relate this on the Bugsnapz site. I have not seen them in Britain myself. They are a beautiful colour for a bug, I like your picture too.
Regards, Bugsnapz.

[bugsnapz]

Bugsnapz update for Weevils. I just love weevils as you may know. The smaller ones can be difficult to find if you do not know where to look. Some are only as big as a pin head so you need to look hard to see them. A regular place you will find them are on the heads of stinging nettles. Although small they can move fast enough to get on the other side of a leaf and hide till your gone. The acorn weevil will be found close to Oak trees of course where the acorns are. If you check around the base of the tree the ones I have found are on grass stems but you need a keen eye to spot them.



Good luck,

Bugsnapz.

[bugsnapz]

I forgot to mention that my last posted picture is of a Figwort weevil (Cionus scrophulariae) I found in my back garden in England.

Check the Bugsnapz website to see the other weevils I have posted on there today.

Bugsnapz.

[bugsnapz]

Hi y'all, here is a picture of a Poplar Hawk Moth (Laotho populae)



Check out the Bugsnapz website for more info on this beast of a moth that I found recently.

Bugsnapz

[bugsnapz]

Here is the caterpillar of an Elephant hawk moth. It changes into a moth similar to my last post. They are huge and slow moving but this is the first I have seen.



Check out my Bugsnapz page to see the full size of this giant.

Enjoy, Bugsnapz.

[bugsnapz]

Latest Bugsnapz update, Burnished Brass moth (Diachrysia chrysitis). I thought it was a rolled up leaf until I looked closer. What a lovely disguise.



Other pictures to come. Enjoy, Bugsnapz.

[bugsnapz]

And yet another Bugsnapz update. I hope you like this picture as much as I do. It has to be one of my favourites.



Enjoy, Bugsnapz

[Newt]

Very pretty! I think that's one of the Vespula species that's established over here as well; it looks awfully familiar, anyway.