Dragonflies along the Woodland Edge

 Dragonflies are one of the top predators in the insect world. When you watch them flying along the woodland edge hunting for prey, it is easy to see why they have names like Hawker, Chaser and Darter.

Here are some images of these stunning creatures taken during the last few weeks.

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) (male)

Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva) (male)

Scarce Chaser (L. fulva) (immature male)

Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) (male)

Black-tailed Skimmer (O. cancellatum) (immature male)

Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) (male)

Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles)

In the UK, the Norfolk Hawker populations were only to be found in the Norfolk Broads and have seemingly been stuck there for many decades. However, within the last decade or so, isosceles has been breeding in north Kent and in 2018, I myself witnessed how numerous this species has become along the Suffolk coast around Aldeburgh. In recent years, isosceles has been recorded in Sussex and this year I have seen several flying around in my local East Sussex woods. 

To me, it seems highly unlikely that isosceles has started to spread out from its Norfolk haunts. It is a common species in Europe and it is much more likely that it has followed several other species across the channel to set up home in south-east England.

Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles)

(male)

(female)

Some Moths during June

 With the arrival of June, temperatures overnight have regularly been in double figures and conditions have generally been less blustery for putting out the moth trap.

Here are some of the moths that were attracted to the light during the month.

Lime Hawkmoth (Mimas tiliae)

Elephant Hawkmoth (Deilephila elpenor)

Swallow Prominent (Pheosia tremula)

Iron Prominent (Notodonta dromedarius)

Pebble Prominent (Notodonta ziczac)

Lobster Moth (Stauropus fagi)

Light Brocade (Lacanobia w-latinum)

Great Oak Beauty (Hypomecis roboraria)

Lychnis (Hadena bicruris)

Treble Brown Spot (Idaea trigeminata)

Scorched Wing (Plagodis dolabraria)

Oak Hook-tip (Watsonalla binaria) (male)

Green Oak Tortrix (Tortrix viridana)

White Plume Moth (Pterophorus pentadactyla)

Along the Woodland Edge

 The woodland edge is made up of several different growth layers. Most woodland tracks are bordered by verges of grass and flowers which are backed by a scrub layer of plants such as bramble and bracken. Deciduous saplings such as birch, aspen and willow grow though the scrub and these are backed by mature trees such as oak, beech and pine. The aspect of these track-sides dictates whether they face the sun or are left in shade. Together, all these features provide many different niche habitats for wildlife, especially invertebrates.

Here are some images of what can be found during May and June.

Peacock (Aglais io)

Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines)

The male is courting this female who is showing her reluctance to mate by holding up

her abdomen.

Satellite (Eupsilis transversa) (larva on bramble)

This moth larva is a nocturnal feeder but constructs a shelter in which to rest during daylight hours.

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) (female)

Although dragonflies need water for breeding, they utilise the woodland edge to hunt for insect prey.

Four-spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) (female)

This immature female is developing the wing markings of form praenubila.

Black-headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa coccinea)

Red-headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis)

Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris)

This species is regularly seen on woodland tracks. 

The images show a mating pair and an ovipositing female.

Sabre Wasp (Rhyssa persuasoria) (female)

This species is the largest Ichneumon Wasp to be found in Britain. The female has an ovipositor that makes up half of her total length. 

 I came across this female busily preening herself. She measured about 8 cms.

Oak Sawfly (Periclista lineolata) (larva)

Its foodplant is oak but I found this one resting on a nettle leaf.

 

Tenthredo livida (Sawfly sp.)

Tenthredo mesomela (Sawfly sp.)

Rhogogaster viridis (Sawfly sp.)

Some Moths during May

 Although there has been plenty of sunshine during May, overnight conditions have been rather borderline for moth-trapping. Temperatures have remained stubbornly cool and clear blustery nights have kept moth numbers disappointingly low.

The following images are mostly from the trap but a couple were found during daytime walks.

Lobster Moth (Stauropus fagi)

Lesser Swallow Prominent (Pheosia gnoma)

Great Prominent (Peridea anceps)

Treble Lines (Charanyca trigrammica)

Peppered Moth (Biston betularia) (male)

Scalloped Hook-tip (Falcaria lacertinaria) (male)

Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)

Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)

Grey Pine Carpet (Thera obeliscata)

Spruce Carpet (Thera britannica)

Yellow-barred Brindle (Acasis viretata)

Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)

Least Black Arches (Nola confusalis)

Grass Rivulet (Perizoma albulata) 

Nemophora degeerella (Longhorn sp.) (male)

Tachystola acroxantha