Male Speckled Bush Cricket
Speckled Bush-Cricket (Leptophyes punctatissima)
Female Speckled Bush Cricket
Oak Bush Cricket (Meconema thalassinum)
A completely arboreal small pale green Bush Cricket, growing to a length of 13-17mm. Found on trees in Oak woodland, as well as hedgerows and garden shrubs, but feeding mainly carnivorously on other insects. Both sexes are fully winged. Seen from July - October. Eggs are laid in tree bark at the end of the summer and the young emerge the following June.
Male Southern Oak Bush Cricket in residential garden in Kent.
Female Long-winged Conehead Cricket
Long-winged Conehead Cricket (Conocephalus discolor)
The Long-winged Conehead Cricket is a green bush cricket found in grassland and woodland areas as well as damp habitats of the South and East of England. Growing up tp 17-19mm in length, they are one of the smaller bush crickets. They are identified by their green colour, brown-striped pointed head, and long brown wings. The Short-winged Conehead Cricket is very similar but its wings are barely half the length of its body.
It feeds largely on grasses but will also eat small insects as well. Nymphs emerge in May and adults can be found from the end of July. They are almost silent to human ears and produce only a feint hissing or buzzing sound. Eggs are laid in grass stems at the end of the summer.
LINK 1
Female Long-winged Conehead Cricket
Female Short-winged Cone-head Cricket
Short-winged Cone-head Cricket (Conocephalus dorsalis)
The Short-winged Cone-head Cricket has a body-length of 11-18mm. Usually, as its name suggests, the wings are short and undeveloped. Occasionally in long hot summers some specimens can develop fully functional wings allowing them to disperse further. This species is mainly found in the south of England but there are populations on coastal sites in northern England too. This species can be found on coastal saltmarshes, sand dunes, where it feeds on seeds heads, buds and flowers of maritime rushes and grasses. Inland it is found on lowland bogs, fens, reedbeds, river floodplains and by lakes and pools. Usually this species has a brown stripe running the length of its back but this stripe can also be black.
8mm male Welsh Chafer, found on Cow Parsley in a grass meadow in Kent, 24th June 2021.
Welsh Chafer (Hoplia philanthus)
The Welsh Chafer is one of smaller sized chafer beetles growing to a length of just 8-11mm. It is considered a locally common species with a scattered distribution across England and Wales and is more common in the West of the UK. Welsh Chafers have a black head and thorax and dark reddish brown wing cases. The underside is a dark metallic blue. After mating the female will bury her eggs in loose soil about 10-15cm beneath the surface. The larvae look similar to other chafer species and feed on a variety of plant roots. As with the Garden Chafer the larvae can cause considerable damage to grass roots. As the larvae grow they feed closer to the surface and birds and mammals can often be seen digging in lawns to prey upon the larvae. Habitat can include coastal areas, parks, gardens, shrubland, woodland edges and grassland. Adult beetles are diurnal and can be seen feeding from nectar on flowerheads as well as the leaves of plants, with a preference for birch, beech and hornbeam, from late May until the end of July.
The Welsh Chafer is similar in size to the Garden Chafer (Phyllopertha horticola) and the two can be confused. The Garden Chafer has a shiny green / black pronotum (head and thorax) and lighter orange wing-cases, with a more glossy finish, than the satin-finished, dark reddish-brown wing cases, and matt black pronotum, of the Welsh Chafer. The key identifying feature of the Welsh Chafer is the single long and curved meta-tarsal claw at the end of each leg. Males can be distinguished by the three leaves on the end of the clubbed antennae that aren't present on the antennae of the female.
20mm female Summer Chafer found in my garden in SE London 15th July 2016
One of three Rose Chafer Beetles found feeding on the white flowers of Cow Parsley at the edge of a grass meadow in Bexley, SE London, 3rd June 2021.
One of three Rose Chafer Beetles found feeding on the white flowers of Cow Parsley at the edge of a grass meadow in Bexley, SE London, 3rd June 2021.
One of three Rose Chafer Beetles found feeding on the white flowers of Cow Parsley at the edge of a grass meadow in Bexley, SE London, 3rd June 2021.
One of three Rose Chafer Beetles found feeding on the white flowers of Cow Parsley at the edge of a grass meadow in Bexley, SE London, 3rd June 2021.
One of three Rose Chafer Beetles found feeding on the white flowers of Cow Parsley at the edge of a grass meadow in Bexley, SE London, 3rd June 2021.
Common Pill Woodlouse (Armadillidium Vulgare)
There are 30 species of Woodlouse in the UK. Woodlice are omniscids, a suborder of terrestrial isopod crustaceans. They play an important role in their habitats by breaking down decaying matter. They help to decontaminate the soil and groundwater by eliminating harmful heavy metals including mercury, cadmium and lead, all of which are poisonous to humans and many other forms of wildlife.
Growing up to 18mm and found across the UK, the Common Pill Woodlouse is more frequently encountered in the south and east of England. Usually they are grey in colour but sometimes pink / orange specimens are found like the one pictured above. When disturbed these woodlouse can roll into a perfect ball to protect themselves from predators, hence the name "Armadillidium". The Common Pill Woodlouse lives for up to 3 years and feeds on decaying matter. The Common Pill Woodlouse is able to withstand much drier conditions than other woodlice.
LINK 1 LINK 2 LINK 3
Pill Millipede, Glomeris marginata, found under a rotting log in SE London, 20th April 2021
Pill Millipede - (Glomeris marginata)
The Pill Millipede can look very similar to the Pill Woodlouse. The easiest ways to separate the two species are to look at the number of legs on each segment of the body and to llok closely at the last segment of the body, or tergite. The Pill Millipede has one large terminal tergite, but the Pill Woodlouse has several smaller terminal tergites. The Pill Millipede has two pairs of legs per body-segment but the Pill Woodlouse has just one pair per segment.
The Pill Millipede grows to around 8-20mm for females and 7-15mm for males. They can often be found amongst leaf litter and under logs and stones in woodland, fields and hedgerows. It's not unusual to find them living alongside woodlice, where both species feed on decaying organic matter. Pill Millipedes, much like the Pill Woodlouse, can roll themselves into a ball when threatened. However the Pill Millipede can't curl itself up into quite the perfect tight sphere that the Pill Woodlouse can.
30mm Brown Centipede found under driftwood on Swanscombe Marshes, 24th July 2021
Common Brown Centipede - Lithobius forficatus
An 18-30mm Centipede with stocky build and 15 pairs of legs. The back pair of legs are extra long. The Brown Centipede is usually found in damp places under logs, stones and leaf litter. There are several identical looking centipedes in the UK so microscopic examination is necessary for confirmation.
A larger 60mm Millipede
A few species of Millipede in the UK can be considered as pests by gardeners because they don't confine themselves to eating decaying matter. Some will also eat seedlings, roots and bulbs as well.
20mm Flat-backed Millipede, found on Surrey heathland, March 2022.
Flat-backed Millipede (Polydesmus angustus)
Polydesmidae is a family of Flat-backed Millipedes. This family contains several identical looking species in the UK that are very difficult to tell apart, and can only be accurately identified by close examination of the reproductive organs of mature specimens. Due to their flat profile, and their legs that protrude sideways from their body, these harmless millipedes are often mistaken for carnivorous centipedes. As with all other millipedes they can be distinguished from centipedes by their two pairs of legs per body-segment in comparison to the single pair of legs on each segment of a centipede.
Like most species of millipede Polydesmus angustus are herbivores, and feed on decaying vegetation found at ground level. The flat body shape of this species allows it to move around the soil and leaf litter with ease as it searches for food. This shape is ideal for squeezing under logs and getting behind loose bark on fallen logs. Adult females lay their eggs in the soil and these hatch to reveal pale juvenile millipedes with a small number of body-segments and legs. These increase in number as the millipedes grow. Some species of millipede, including Polydesmus sp., use toxic secretions, including hydrogen cyanide, as a defense strategy to deter predators.
Polydesmus angustus is identical in appearance to the other members of the genus, Polydesmus coriaceus, Polydesmus denticulatus and Polydesmus inconstans.
Common Flesh Fly (Sarcophaga carnaria) in my garden in SE London, 6th July 2020
Common Flesh Fly - (Sarcophaga carnaria)
The Common Flesh Fly is a fairly large species of fly with a body-length of around 15mm. Flesh Flies lay their larvae in carrion, dung and rotting vegetation. Some species of Flesh Fly also lay their eggs / larvae in open wounds of mammals, hence their name. The maggot larvae reach full size in just a matter of days and then pupate under soil. They will not emerge until the following summer as adult flies. The adults will feed on most liquid foods whether from animals or plants. There are several Sarcophaga species that can only be distinguished by microscopic examination.
Bluebottle Blow Fly
The Bluebottle is a large fly growing up to 12mm in length. They are often found flying around the house making an irritating buzzing sound. These flies can lay up to 600 eggs which can hatch in just 48 hours in hot weather. The eggs will produce maggots that feed on decaying flesh. The adult flies however, feed on nectar. These flies are attracted to food, garbage and faeces as a potential egg-laying site. Once food is detected adult flies release a pheromone which alerts and attracts other flies.
Violet Ground Beetle - (Carabus violaceous)
Violet Ground Beetle - (Carabus violaceous and Carabus problematicus)
There are two types of Violet Ground Beetle in the UK, Carabus violaceous and Carabus problematicus. Both are very similar in appearance and both grow to around 30mm in length, making them some of our largest beetles. They can be distinguished by close inspection of their elytra (wing-cases). C. violaceous are smoother whereas C. problematicus have more defined ridges and dimples. Both types of Violet Ground Beetle are woodland or heathland species, but both can also be found in gardens too. These beetles are nocturnal hunters, feeding on unwanted garden pests such as fly larvae, slugs and other insects. They will also on occasion feed on over-ripe fruit. During the day these beetles usually hide away under logs and stones. Some specimens are arboreal and will spend their time in trees feeding on tree slugs and sap-runs from trees.
Violet Ground Beetle - (Carabus violaceous)
Violet Ground Beetle (Carabus problematicus) found under a log in woodland adjacent to Surrey heathland, 24th July 2020.
Violet Ground Beetle (Carabus problematicus) found under a log in woodland adjacent to Surrey heathland, 24th July 2020.
8mm Broad-Shouldered Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina oricalcia) found on Cow Parsley at a grass meadow site in SE London, 3rd June 2021
Broad-Shouldered Leaf Beetle - Chrysolina oricalcia
This Broad-Shouldered Leaf Beetle is found throughout England, Wales and southern Scotland in hedgerows, open woodland, and grassland, but is generally considered as widespread but moderately scarce. The nocturnal adult beetle grows to around 7-9mm in length and feeds on a variety of of leaves and pollen from umbellifer flowers, such as Cow Parsley and Hogweed. The larvae feed only on the leaves of the host plants. The overall appearance of the beetle is uniformly glossy black in colour, with a slightly blue metallic sheen. Specimens exhibiting a copper or violet sheen can also be found. Adult beetles overwinter and peak in numbers around mid-summer. After over-wintering they resume feeding in April and May and start laying eggs on the host plant, which hatch quickly. The larvae also develop quickly and reach full size in 3-5 weeks before climbing down to the grown and pupating in the soil. They emerge after 3 weeks as adult beetles and join the previous generation of adult beetles around June in feeding on the host plants. Chrysolina oricalcia is sometimes mistaken for Chrysolina haemoptera, but Chrysolina haemoptera has a far duller appearance than the glossy Chrysolina oricalcia.
Leaf Beetle - (Chrysolina banksi)
2.5mm Rangwort Flea Beetle - photographed in my garden in SE London in July, on and around Ragwort plants.
Ragwort Flea Beetle / Tansy Flea Beetle - (Longitarsus jacobaeae)
These tiny beetles are just 2 - 4mm in length and are light golden brown in colour. They feed on the leaves of Ragwort plants and can usually be found from June to September.
This beetle has been used in conjunction with the Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae) as a biological pest control for the spread of Ragwort.
Cabbage-stem Flea Beetle - (Psylliodes chrysocephala)
These tiny beetles are just 3 - 4.5mm in length and are variable in colour. Like fleas in adult form they have very powerful hind legs that they use to jump great distances for their size to evade potential predators. Unlike fleas though these beetles feed on the leaves of cabbage and other plants in the Brassica family, leaving tiny unsightly holes. The larvae feed on the stems. The larvae can be treated with parasitic nematodes.
Black-Headed Cardinal Beetle taking flight
Black-Headed Cardinal Beetle - (Pyrochroa coccinea)
There are three types of Cardinal Beetle in the UK. The Black-Headed Cardinal Beetle can be distinguished by its size (14 to 20mm) and its black head. Common or Red-Headed Cardinal Beetles (Pyrochroa serraticornis) obviously have a red head, and the Scarce Cardinal Beetle (Schizotus pectinicornis) are smaller and only grow to 7-9mm, and also have a black spot in the middle of their pronotum. The Black-Headed Cardinal Beetle is not likely to confused with the Scarce Cardinal Beetle due to the big difference in size and the Scarce Cardinal Beetle is confined to Birch Woodland at a hanful of sites in Scotland and Wales. Cardinal Beetles are carnivores and live on smaller insects but will also feed on pollen too. Cardinal Beetles are sometimes confused with the smaller Lily Beetle, which is regarded as a pest by gardeners, but Cardinal Beetles can be distinguished by their distinctive comb-like antennae. Cardinal Beetles are most commonly seen on flower heads found at the edge of woodland, usually from May to the end June, but occasionally from April to July. These beetles are also sometimes referred to as the Scarlet Fire Beetles. These beetles often bask openly in sunlight perched on large leaves, flower heads or on tree bark, but they're never too far from decaying wood. The aposematic colouration serves as a warning that they are toxic to many predators. Cardinal Beetles are often associated with sites near water where there is always an abundance of other flying insect prey.
20mm Black-Headed Cardinal Beetle
Cardinal Beetle larvae (P. cf coccinea) found under loose tree bark in a wooded park in SE London 21st March 2021
The larvae of all three Cardinal Beetle species are long, flat and orange in colour and develop under loose bark of broad-leaved trees, particularly Oak and Beech. The larvae of Pyrochroa coccinea and Pyrochroa serraticornis are very similar in appearance but can be separated by a raised transverse line at the base of the eighth tergite (body segment) found on Pyrochroa serraticornis. The smaller Schizotus pectinicornis can be distinguished by its curved cerci (pincer-like appendages at the tail end) as opposed to the straight cerci of the other two species.
Cardinal Beetle larvae (P. cf coccinea) found under loose tree bark in a wooded park in SE London 21st March 2021
Cardinal Beetle larvae (P. cf coccinea) found under loose tree bark in a wooded park in SE London 23rd March 2021
14mm Red- Headed Cardinal Beetles found on grass and low vegetation growing under trees in a park in SE London, 5th June 2021
Red-Headed Cardinal Beetle - (Pyrochroa serraticornis)
The Red-Headed Cardinal Beetles (Pyrochroa serraticornis) is easily distinguished from the other two species of Cardinal Beetle and the Lily Beetle by its red head. The Red-Headed Cardinal Beetle is less impressive than the larger Black-Headed Cardinal Beetle and only reaches around 14-15mm in length. They are also a slightly duller and more velvety red. Both the adult and larvae of both species are similar in behaviour and habitat but the larvae of the two species are very difficult to separate.
Red-Headed Cardinal Beetles found on grass and low vegetation growing under trees in a park in SE London, 5th June 2021
One of several Red- Headed Cardinal Beetles found on grass and low vegetation growing under trees in a park in SE London, 5th June 2021
Black-Headed Cardinal Beetle and Scarlet Lily Beetle
Friend or Foe?
The Scarlet Lily Beetle and the Black-Headed Cardinal Beetle are both regular visitors to English gardens and they can easily be mistaken if you don't know how to tell them apart. The Scarlet Lily Beetle can be a pest in large numbers and can defoliate and damage lily plants. However, the Black-Headed Cardinal Beetle is a gardener's friend and a vivacious predator. They will readily hunt many of the insects considered to be garden pests.
So let's look at how to tell which is which. The first and most obvious difference between the two species is the size. The Black-Headed Cardinal Beetle grows to a substantial length of around 20mm, whilst the smaller Scarlet Lily Beetle rarely exceeds 8-9mm. If you can get close enough for a good look then the key feature to look for is the antennae. The antennae of the Black-Headed Cardinal Beetle have a feathery, comb-like appearance, unlike the knobbly appearance of the antennae belonging to the Scarlet Lily Beetle. Other differences include the overall rounded appearance of the Lily Beetle as opposed to the flatter profile of the Cardinal Beetle. The Scarlet Lily Beetle has tiny dimples on the elytra (wing-cases) that are not present on the Black-Headed Cardinal Beetle. The Scarlet Lily Beetle is also usually a bright, glossy, shiny red as opposed to the duller satin red of the Black-Headed Cardinal Beetle.
One of two Scarlet Lily Beetles found on my garden lilies in SE London 1st June 2021
A mating pair of Scarlet Lily Beetles found on my garden lilies in SE London 2nd June 2021
This pair of mating Lily Beetles remained joined together for over 24hrs. During that time they continued to wander around both of my lily plants. After 24 hrs they laid 4 eggs in one batch on the underside of a leaf. Shortly after they moved to another leaf and laid a further 5 eggs in a second batch. After 9 eggs had bee laid the pair separated and one Lily Beetle flew away.
Scarlet Lily Beetle eggs laid in two batches on the underside of the leaves of my Lily plants, 3rd June 2021.
Scarlet Lily Beetle larvae feeding on lily plant, 12th June 2021
Within a week of the eggs being laid the larvae hatch and quickly join in the feeding frenzy on the lily leaves. Even just a couple of days old, and at just 2mm in length, the black-headed larvae are already leaving unsightly holes in the leaves.
5.5mm Scarlet Lily Beetle larvae feeding on lily plant, 29th June 2021
Rustic Sailor Beetle, found in a grass Meadow in SE London, 27th May 2021
Rustic Sailor Beetle (Cantharis rustica)
The Rustic Sailor Beetle is one of 41 British species of Soldier and Sailor Beetle spread across 7 different genera. These species get their name from the bright colours of the adult beetles and range from 2-15mm, depending on species.
The Rustic Sailor Beetle is a predator in both adult and larvae stage. Adults hunt mainly on flower heads and other vegetation in grassland and woodland clearings. They will also feed on vegetation too. This is one of our largest Cantharis species and grows from 9 - 13mm. They can look similar to the Grey Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans) and the Dark Sailor Beetle (Cantharis fusca), however Cantharis rustica can be identified by the dark mark in the centre of their orange / red pronotum that does not reach the top of the pronotum. The antennae are mainly black with the first 2 or more segments being orange. Rustic Sailor Beetles are common and widespread throughout England and Wales. Mating occurs in May and June and although generally considered a summer species this beetle can be active all year round on sunny days and is remarkably tolerant of cold weather. Eggs are laid in damp soil and the larvae feed on snails, worms and the larvae of other insects.
Rustic Sailor Beetle, found in a grass Meadow in SE London, 27th May 2021
Rustic Sailor Beetle, found in a grass Meadow in SE London, 8th June 2021
Scorpion Fly (Panorpa communis)
This is the most common of three species of Scorpion Fly (Panorpa Sp) found within the UK. All of which are very difficult to distinguish and can only be separated by close examination of the sexual organs under a microscope. These flies have a wing-span of around 35mm and they are mainly scavengers, feeding on dead insects, which they regularly steal from spider's webs. They will also feed on rotting fruit and even bird droppings. They are weak fliers and are often found in shady areas of hedgerows, nettle-beds and gardens. The larvae live in soil and leaf litter.
Male Scorpion Fly
The male Scorpion Fly presents the female with a gift of a dead insect or drops of saliva to placate the female and avoid being eaten by her before attempting to mate. These insects are harmless to humans and do not possess any form of sting. The scorpion-like tail on the male is in fact its genitalia. Females have a straight tail.
8mm Male and female Rough-Haired Lagria Beetles found on ivy in my SE London garden, 29th June 2021.
The harmless Dark-Edged Bee-Fly (Bombylius major)
One of a dozen specimens of Dark-Edged Bee-Fly (Bombylius major) seen at the woodlands edge in East Grinstead, 4th April 2021
One of a dozen specimens of Dark-Edged Bee-Fly (Bombylius major) seen at the woodlands edge in East Grinstead, 4th April 2021
Golden-Bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle (Agapanthia villosovirdescens)
These Longhorn Beetles have a body-length of around 22mm, but their black and white banded antennae grow even longer than the beetle's body. They are found in spring and summer in damp meadows and hedgerows. Adults feed mainly on Cow Parsley, Nettles and Hogweed, whilst the larvae can be found on various plants including thistles. After mating the female will bore into the stem of thistles and other herbaceous plants to lay her eggs. Despite their impressive size and distinctive markings, these beetles are completely harmless to humans. They are considered common across central, south and east of England. There are 60 species of Longhorn Beetle in the UK but this is one of the most easily recognised species.
Golden Bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle - (Agapanthia villosovirdescens)
A mating pair of Golden Bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetles - (Agapanthia villosovirdescens)
6mm well fed Lacewing larvae. Found on a Sycamore Tree in my garden in SE London, 10th May 2020.
Lacewing larvae are known as "Aphid Lions" because of their vivacious appetite for aphids, insect eggs and other soft-bodied invertebrates. They can consume garden pests at a rate of 200 per week. They are considered a gardener's friend and can be bought online to use as a biological pest controller in your garden. These Aphid Lions have sickle-shaped jaws which pierce their victims and inject a paralyzing venom. The aphid lions then suck out the partially digested body fluids. Some species of Lacewing larvae use debris and the remains of their prey to camouflage and disguise their bodies from predators. Unlike the larvae most adult Lacewings are not carnivorous and feed mainly on pollen, nectar and honeydew.
Brown Lacewing - Hemerobius Sp.
Small 5mm Lacewing larvae. Found on a Sycamore Tree in my garden in SE London, 10th June 2020.
Clubbed General Soldierfly, Stratiomys cf potamida, that entered my SE London home on 23rd June 2017.
Banded General Soldierfly - Stratiomys potamida
The Clubbed General is a species of Soldierfly, usually seen in July and August feeding on nectar from the flowers of Hogweed and other umbellifers. The largest of British soldierfly species are of the genus Stratiomys. In Britain we have four species of Stratiomys, and three of these have brilliant yellow and black markings on their abdomen, which makes mistaking them for Hoverflies quite easy. Stratiomys chamaeleon is very similar in appearance to the more common Stratiomys potamida. Soldierfly larvae, similar to those of the Stratiomys species, are regularly seen in my garden pond so this adult Stratiomys specimen is likely to have developed from a larvae within my pond.
Xanthogramma pedissequum Hoverfly photographed in my garden in SE London in June 2016 & 2019
Hoverfly - Xanthogramma pedissequum
A very striking hoverfly seen from May to September and peaking in late June and early July. They have a body-length of 10-13mm and a wing-length of 7-10mm. Xanthogramma pedissequum are found across England and Wales and can be common in southern England, preferring grassland and open fields close to deciduous forests. Little is known about the larval stage of these hoverflies but they have been found feeding on aphids in the nests of Black Garden Ants and Yellow Meadow Ants.
There are three species of Xanthogramma in the UK which can be very difficult to distinguish: X. pedissequum, X. stackelbergi & X. citrofasciatum
Ruby-Tailed Wasp - (Chrysis cf ignita)
Unlike many species of Solitary Wasp most species of Ruby-Tailed Wasp have no venom in their sting to defend themselves. Invading the nests of larger bees with powerful stings is a dangerous business for the defenceless Ruby-Tailed Wasp so they have developed an effective defence strategy. The Ruby-Tailed Wasp has a concave underside of its abdomen. When threatened the wasp will curl itself into a ball, carefully tucking its vulnerable legs out of reach. The upside of the Ruby-Tailed Wasp is extremely tough and impenetrable against the stings of bees. As a last resort the frustrated bee usually has to carry the invading wasp out of its burrow. But these wasps are persistent and they will return again once the bee leaves its burrow.
Ruby-Tailed Wasp (Chrysis cf ignita) feeding on pollen and nectar in my garden in SE London 13/07/2019.
There are a few species of Ruby-Tailed Wasps in the UK and they can only be distinguished and accurately identified by expert microscopic examination. Although wide-spread across the UK Ruby-Tailed Wasps are considered uncommon and some species are high priority for conservation.
Ruby-Tailed Wasp - (Chrysis cf ignita)
Ruby-Tailed Wasp - (Chrysis cf ignita)
Ruby-Tailed Wasp - (Chrysis cf ignita)