I had a good half hour by the woodland this morning on the way back from my Breeding Bird Survey. A few insects have emerged (finally!) and in the cool of the morning, were slow enough to photograph - here are the day's images....
These are the larvae of Gastrophysa viridula - the green dock beetle. I was just thinking the other day that I hadn't seen an adult yet this spring, I must have missed them!
Panorpa germanica/communis - a scorpion fly, this is a female and so isn't identifiable to species level without microscopic examination.
The first red and black froghopper of the year, or Cercopis vulnerata to be scientific. One of the largest froghoppers in the UK and certainly one of the most colourful.
Anthophila fabriciana, the nettle-tap. Common and widespread day-flying micro moth.
This rather excellent looking creature is a weevil of the Genus Curculio - further examiniation needed to determine the species. The large rostrum is obvious in this specimen.
And finally a couple of soldier beetles (Cantharidae), the first of the year and starting with Cantharis nigricans
and Rhagonycha limbata
Also today were the first Athous haemorrhoidalis (Elateridae - click beetles), Phyllobius pomaceous/pyri (a weevil) and a stunning looking robberfly (Asilidae) and bird wise, a whimbrel was on the old silt lagoon 7, 28 reed warblers were singing, the two young oystercatchers on Phase 1 are still doing well and there are three cuckoos singing across the site.