Marbled White (Melanargia galathea) butterflies are starting to appear, while it was yet another good day for other insects. New sightings were 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), Common Marble moth (Celypha lacunana), a leaf-curling sac spider (Clubiona lutescens), Variable Tenthredo (Tenthredo livida) and a Lauxaniid fly (Minettia inusta).

On a large stand of as yet non-flowering Hemp-agrimony, Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) larvae were seen together with an adult of the form ‘spectabilis’ and a pupal case.

A small Goat Willow (Salix caprea) sapling hosted Small Willow Aphid (Aphis farinosa) with attendant Myrmica sp. red ants. On the same Goat Willow sapling I discovered a leaf with a gall caused by a larva of the Sallow Bean-gall Sawfly (Euura bridgmanii).

Tiger Cranfely (Nephrotoma flavescens) are still very common in long grass areas on the woodland fringes.

Newly flowering were Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus latifolius) and Large Bindweed (Calystegia silvatica), both at multiple locations. One small area was favoured by several dozen newly opened Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis).

An oddity and undoubted garden escapee was Lewis’s Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii) a member of the hydrangea family.

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