Explore the diverse flora and fauna on the Downs from season to season through personal observations and photographs

Sunday, 17 Aug 2025

New insects added were the caterpillar of the Fox Moth (Macrothylacia rubi) and a female Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis). This the first species of damselfly recorded on the Downs and together with the Southern Hawker dragonfly only the second member of the Odontata.

I discovered an Apple Leaf Miner moth (Lyonetia clerkella) leaf mine on a Wild Cherry leaf and a Sycamore Aphid Parasitoid Wasp (Dyscritulus planiceps) pupa and aphid mummy. The wasp D. planiceps lays its egg inside a Drepanosiphum sp. aphid. The hatched larva then eats the aphid from the inside and when fully developed exits leaving the dry exoskeleton of the aphid and spins a disc-shaped cocoon beneath to pupate. Nature can be quite gruesome!

Also added was a Garden Hammock Spider (Linyphia hortensis).

New photos of already recorded species included a Hawthorn Shield Bug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale) on Dogwood, a mating pair of Forest Bug (Pentatoma rufipes) and a final instar nymph of the Brassica Bug (Eurydema oleracea).

 

 

Two new fungi were Tar Spot (Rhytisma acerinum) fungus on sycamore leaves and the powdery mildew Erysiphe heraclei on Hogweed leaves.

Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus latifolius) pods are beginning to develop and the last of the Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) flowers are transforming into berries. The Snowberry is a native of North America and undoubtedly a garden escapee.

 

 

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