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

Friday, 17 Oct 2025

Another new insect this morning with a Banded Winter Gnat (Trichocera annulata). It belongs to the Diptera family Trichoceridae, the winter crane flies. However, it is neither a true crane fly nor a true gnat, the names given simply because of a superficial resemblance to members of the other two families.

Otherwise it was a very quiet day with just a few photos of species already seen. It was only the second sighting of an Alder Spittlebug (Aphrophora alni). I did find more Common Dogwood-grass Aphid (Anoecia corni) in a different area to those seen previously and it is very difficult not to take a few shots of the very photogenic Hairy Beech Gall Midge (Hartigiola annulipes) galls.

 

One tree showing its autumn colours well is the Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia).

 

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