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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 2d

Warm weather can produce some good wall records. Had 5 species of Hemiptera here on wall yesterday including Rhopalus parumpunctatus, Leptoglossus occidentalis & this pine leafhopper, Grypotes puncticollis.

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 2d

Adonis Ladybird (Hippodamia variegata) today in Bengeo garden. @ukladybirds.bsky.social @andrew-jewels.bsky.social

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 6d

Three records of Phaeostigma notata in garden including two this year. Xanthostigma xanthostigma is much commoner here & is recorded annually. Also single record of Atlantoraphidia maculicollis below Scots Pine. Nearly all records follow windy weather when snakeflies are displaced from canopy.

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 8d

Yes, but tall deep bushes are able to survive.

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 8d

In 2019, had one spend three weeks in garden on Box.

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 10d

Its host is unknown but its dramatic range expansion coinciding with Ivy season is very similar to that of Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae). Perhaps there is a connection?

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 10d

Leopoldius calceatus ♀ today in Bengeo garden, dark wasp-mimic conopid parasitoid & very recent arrival in UK (2018).

All three species of Leopoldius have now been recorded here. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 11d

Plenty of Ectemnius, Cerceris etc here. Local former quarry is full of Mellinus, garden despite sandy soil is perhaps too wooded for species.

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 11d

Mellinus arvensis ♀ today in Bengeo garden, common large late Summer solitary wasp that preys on flies. Associated with sandy places & 1st record here.

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 13d

Recorded 1st Plumed Fan-foot (Pechipogo plumigeralis) male in Bengeo recently. However tonight this almost pristine female turned up in sitting room. With Ivy (Hedera helix) as one of its hosts plants, species is likely to expand its range rapidly. @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social #teammoth

Plumed Fan-foot (Pechipogo plumigeralis) female

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 15d

Small range of plants locally more reminiscent of Breckland including Anthriscus caucalis, Filago minima & Potentilla argentea.

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 15d

Warm nights lead to dispersal of scarce invertebrates.

Rhopalus parumpunctatus on Friday night in Bengeo garden, rhopalid bug associated with dry sandy soils. Curiously zone immediately north of Hertford already supports small range of Breckland species. @britishbugs.bsky.social #attractedtolight

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 18d

Your find at Kimpton in 2014, of course, was 1st in Herts since 1940.

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 18d

Annual here to light since 2018, typically in August or late July. Coincided with their reappearance in Herts after 70 year absence.

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 19d

Pipiza lugubris ♀ today on Ivy (Hedera helix) in Bengeo garden, nationally scarce with distinctive dark wing clouds.

109th species of hoverfly recorded here. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 20d

24-spot Ladybird (Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata) today in Bengeo garden. 22nd ladybird species recorded here. @ukladybirds.bsky.social @andrew-jewels.bsky.social

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 23d

Ivy (Hedera helix) in September (2):

Colletes hederae ♀, Comma (Polygonia c-album), Ectemnius sp. ♀ & Volucella inanis ♀ today in Bengeo garden.

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 23d

Epistrophe grossulariae ♀ on Ivy (Hedera helix) today in Bengeo garden. Species resembles large Syrphus with almost dead straight black bands on abdomen. Best distinguishing feature though is its behaviour of often hovering at flowers to feed rather than landing. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 23d

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) ♂ today in Bengeo garden, Herts. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 23d

Ivy (Hedera helix) now in full swing. Loads of Vespa crabro feeing on it today in Bengeo garden including 1st male of year. Males can be distinguished from workers by their much longer antennae. #EuropeanHornet

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 26d

Impressive species, one was attracted to light here during June's heatwave.

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 26d

Lastly, Ivy (Hedera helix) can attracts rare species.

Callicera aurata ♀ today in Bengeo garden, magnificent large wasp-mimic hoverfly. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #saproxylic

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 26d

Ivy (Hedera helix) attracts unusual migrant species.

Stomorhina lunata ♂ today in Bengeo garden, blowfly that is parasitoid of Locust. Every year, vast numbers migrate N from North Africa into Europe. It may be breeding in UK but, if it is, its host is unknown. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #LocustFly

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 26d

Ivy (Hedera helix) is wonderful resource for invertebrates in September.

7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), Didea fasciata ♀, Volucella zonaria ♀ & Graphomya maculata ♀ today in Bengeo garden. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social

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Simon Knott @sjbknott.bsky.social · 27d

Could well be vittiventris which is well established in Herts & is spreading to neighbouring counties. Size is good distinguishing characteristic for adults as they around 50% larger than either lapponicus, montanus or pallidus.

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