The most notable specimens that I recently found were two Stag Beetles (on two different occasions). As one of them was in front of a store, I took it to a grass patch nearby, as otherwise he would've been stepped over. I have registered their sightings at stagbeetles.ptes.org.
Thank you for reading my post - i take most of my common names from a couple of books, however where I don’t feel they work I change them to something that does - so Humming Flowerfly is my own construct I hope it catches on. It would be wonderful if someone saw Helophilus pendulus and then said to the person next to them it is also known as the footballer and then go on to explain why. So I will keep searching for their names that tell a story.
Thank you - I often forget to take pictures when i am doing an activity, whether it’s leading a session or doing moths so I hope they work and are of good enough quality.
Yes Acleris forsskaleana is a lovely little moth isn't it. It's named after Peter (or Pehr) Forsskål whom I wrote a bit about here: https://dennischanter.substack.com/p/moth-report-41 (last paragraph). That text includes a link to an earlier post where I mentioned the moth itself.
Thank you Dennis - i was so excited to get this micro moth as they are such a distinctive group. Appreciate the link to this moth from one of your articles and to the tragic story of Peter.
Well, I was reading recently that hoverflies are overall in significant decline, which probably has something to do with it. Admittedly part of it is because 6 years ago, was lockdown and we walked through two local cemeteries every day for our daily exercise and they were full of hoverflies. We don't visit those cemeteries as much now (but when we do, there are rarely so many hoverflies).
The most notable specimens that I recently found were two Stag Beetles (on two different occasions). As one of them was in front of a store, I took it to a grass patch nearby, as otherwise he would've been stepped over. I have registered their sightings at stagbeetles.ptes.org.
A really interesting read - thanks! Some of the hoverflies have wonderful names.
Thank you you support is appreciated
Thank you for reading my post - i take most of my common names from a couple of books, however where I don’t feel they work I change them to something that does - so Humming Flowerfly is my own construct I hope it catches on. It would be wonderful if someone saw Helophilus pendulus and then said to the person next to them it is also known as the footballer and then go on to explain why. So I will keep searching for their names that tell a story.
All common names were created once, whether by a community, an individual or in folklore, however long ago. You are following a great tradition! 💚
Interesting read on the nature reserve and some splendid moths caught
Thank you - I often forget to take pictures when i am doing an activity, whether it’s leading a session or doing moths so I hope they work and are of good enough quality.
Yes Acleris forsskaleana is a lovely little moth isn't it. It's named after Peter (or Pehr) Forsskål whom I wrote a bit about here: https://dennischanter.substack.com/p/moth-report-41 (last paragraph). That text includes a link to an earlier post where I mentioned the moth itself.
Thank you Dennis - i was so excited to get this micro moth as they are such a distinctive group. Appreciate the link to this moth from one of your articles and to the tragic story of Peter.
Excellent sightings there. I'm sadly seeing so few hoverflies these days compared to five years ago.
Thank you for reading my article - sorry you are spotting less hoverflies - is this a case of shifting baselines or some other cause?
Well, I was reading recently that hoverflies are overall in significant decline, which probably has something to do with it. Admittedly part of it is because 6 years ago, was lockdown and we walked through two local cemeteries every day for our daily exercise and they were full of hoverflies. We don't visit those cemeteries as much now (but when we do, there are rarely so many hoverflies).
here's a link to the article: https://www.ceh.ac.uk/press/new-data-insect-pollinators-shows-dramatic-decline-hoverflies