The "What is this bug?" thread

[Androo]

And one more (for now!!) Sorry 'bout the crap photo again.
I'm guessing this is some kind of Sawfly? I initially thought some kind of gall wasp, but they're usually alot smaller than this is? This was approx 25mm from head to tail, but it didn't hang around for me to get good details.

 

[Mad Mike]

I am 'good' at different specimens are both these speckled woods?

1st one is though glass

2nd one avoiding the camera with great skill in a blackthorn

Mike

 

[Harvestman]

Two from my garden pond. I am fairly sure this is not were you are 'supposed' to see them

Mike

The caterpillar has been identified. So, the spiders.

Well, it's a Lycosid, a group usually referred to as Wolf Spiders.There are at least 3 genera within that with species that routinely walk on water, notably the genus Pirata, or pirate spiders. However Pirata species tend to have pairs of very white dots on their abdomen, which this pic lacks, so I think it is a true wolf spider, Pardosa sp. Unfortunately there is just no way to identify it to species from markings (Dick Jones, author of the photographic guide to spdiers would disagree, but he's in a minority of 1). I'd need the specimen and a microscope to be more definite.

 

[Harvestman]

So... What is this bug? Apologies for the appauling photo quality - I was on the move and so was s/he!

Most of my ID books are 'in the loft' as I'm still living outta boxes but in my Collins (Chinery's Complete guide to British Insects) there is no mention of it. Might it be a juvenile something?

Juvenile shield bug. Top right, page 75.

 

[Harvestman]

I am 'good' at different specimens are both these speckled woods?

1st one is though glass

2nd one avoiding the camera with great skill in a blackthorn

Mike

Yes, all those are speckled woods.

 

[Harvestman]

And one more (for now!!) Sorry 'bout the crap photo again.
I'm guessing this is some kind of Sawfly? I initially thought some kind of gall wasp, but they're usually alot smaller than this is? This was approx 25mm from head to tail, but it didn't hang around for me to get good details.

Looks like a sawfly to me (it has a head like a brick, or like a hammerhead shark), but I've no idea after that. A sawflies book is on my shopping list. Might need some googling.

 

[Harvestman]

In fact, try Tenthredo maculata. Looks possible to me after referring to google images

 

[Mad Mike]

Thanks Harvestman (edit the waterwalking spider) this thread moves fast

I got as far as Wolf spider & stopped. Lots of these in my garden often seen basking in large numbers. Here are couple on dry land.

Now I hope this is an easy one - not the nettle.

 

[Harvestman]

An EHM caterpillar is what I made it. Still waiting on the water walking spider.

I used to use http://www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/ to ID caterpillars anyone found another site?

Another one to have a go at

Mike

Another bl**dy caterpillar!

Vapourer moth, I think.

 

[Harvestman]

Thanks Harvestman

I got as far as Wolf spider & stopped. Lots of these in my garden often seen basking in large numbers. Here are couple on dry land.



Now I hope this is an easy one - not the nettle.

Harvestman, Mitopus morio.

 

[Harvestman]

Next up - is this (overexposed) a Buff Ermine?

I think so, yes.

 

[Harvestman]

Phew.

Did I miss any?

 

[Androo]

Cheers

Tenthredo spp. ? perhaps Tenthredo maculata ?

 

[Harvestman]

Cheers

Tenthredo spp. ? perhaps Tenthredo maculata ?

That's what I posted too.

Glad we agree.

It looks like it, but I don't know sawflies at all.

 

[Androo]

Juvenile shield bug. Top right, page 75.

Pg 75 in mine is Dragonflies, Sheild bugs on pg88. ISBN of my Collins is 9780007298990. First glances at the page of shield bugs had me stumped as the markings are not like any mature specimens. But if you're saying juvenile shield bug, then I'll plump for a juvenile Palomena prasina - Green Sheild Bug.

Infact, after finding the brilliant website: http://www.britishbugs.org.uk - it's probably a 4th instar nymph.

Do I sound like an entymologist now?


WOW! That site is great - here is one page alone of crib-cards for shield bugs in all their different stages.

 

[Harvestman]

Wow, that's a great link. Thank you.

You can call yourself an entymologist if you like, or even an entomologist

And yes, probably Green Shield Bug.

 

[Androo]

That's what I posted too.

Glad we agree.

It looks like it, but I don't know sawflies at all.

Ah, missed your post - was busy looking at british bugs - great site!

I suppose with a photographic Sawfly book there may be more that it looks like, with over 500 sawflys in the UK alone...

 

[Androo]

Wow, that's a great link. Thank you.

You can call yourself an entymologist if you like, or even an entomologist

And yes, probably Green Shield Bug.

You're welcome... I just stumbled on it just now and from my amateur fauna ID interest, that is gonna be a goldmine!

With genus/species specific books being sold at an understandably hefty prices sites like that are invaluable to the amateur.

 

[Harvestman]

Probably worth posting it to the Good Flora and Fauna Links sticky thread too.

I'll let you have the glory

 

[Androo]

Will do, squire.