Just to let you know that over the bank holiday weekend there have been several sightings of Large Red Damselflies emerging. Admittedly these are all from southern mostly coastal counties. But there is a strong possibility that some have emerged somewhere in Wiltshire. Likely spots are small, shallow, sheltered sunlit ponds where the water temperature will warm up more quickly than elsewhere.
As an aside, I had an interesting new insect garden tick yesterday in the form of the scarce Dotted Bee-fly [Bombylius discolor]
Great photo of the dotted bee-fly. I have never seen one of these before.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rob. I have found several sites in Wiltshire for them over the past 3 years. I don't think they are as scarce as was originally thought. Unless you see them land and stop vibrating their wings you could easily dismiss one for B. major. The main field character to look out for is that the abdomen of B. discolor is much darker than that of B. major. Like a lot of things, once you get your eye in you start seeing them all over the place!
ReplyDeleteMagnificent photo, Steve. I've spent a long time pursuing these hyperactive insects and still haven't managed to get a photograph of one at rest that's as good as this.......
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