Since the arrival of the new forum (November 2018), could all users of this thread please only reply to this post or the last couple of posts, as your comments could be buried & never see the light of day! LOL
This is the link to last years thread https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/community/wildlife/f/13609/p/193745/1156439.aspx#1156439
There aren't many insects around at the moment apart from the Harlequin ladybirds which keep coming the house. Although a couple of days ago I saw a bee & 2 flies on a dandelion flower. Who has got the first insect photos for 2018 then. That's a challenge!
This is a Southern Green Shield bug shield bug from 18th december, I only seem to see them at this time of year, it came to the moth trap
Look forward to seeing all your photos.
Best wishes
Hazel in the Gironde estuary, France
I've had a couple of Red Admirals & Peacocks but this Comma in the garden this morning was a real treat, not to mention the lovely sunshine that must have encouraged it to poke it's nose out!
For the gardeners amongst you it's sitting on the broad bean plants which have overwintered nicely.
In reply to Noisette:
It won't be long before the insects start becoming active.
Mike
Flickr Peak Rambler
In reply to Mike B:
So lovely H, thanks for sharing!
Something which bugged me (sorry) all last year was seeing these pretty things all mixed in with weird & wonderful critters ... would anyone object to me starting 'Beautiful Butterflies 2018' thread in their honour?
It could open with your capture H & hopefully soon be joined by others!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
In reply to WendyBartter:
Although butterflies are obviously insects I think they deserve their own thread, so go for it Wendy.
We might need another new thread for Dazzling Dragonflies in a few months.
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Regards,Tony
My Flickr Photostream
In reply to TeeJay:
'Tis done ... ww2.rspb.org.uk/.../196195.aspx
Will let you start other thread TJ as you're likely to get plenty of dazzling pics!
First Ladybird of the year, sadly it's a painted one lol
My Flickr photos
In reply to Alan:
LOL Here's a real one, we have a game of chucking them out of the house & then they come straight back in again! Foreign imports unfortunately,
It's also the time of year we get invaded by little red beetles that come out of the firewood
We keep putting them out too!
Is this a Wasp Beetle? I've got it in a small container with some pieces of rotting wood.
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)
In reply to monkeycheese:
Interesting find MC especially as they mostly die off at end of summer!
Definitely an interesting find for this time of year, so had a bit of a browse myself and perhaps Plagionotus arcuatus is a better match than Wasp Beetle
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Nige Flickr