Two-banded Longhorn Beetle

Some good insecting on Thursday 22nd May began at Ryburgh where moths consisted of Meadow Long-horn Cauchas rufimitrella, 2 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana, 3 Cocksfoot Moths Glyphipterix simpliciella and Silver-ground Carpet. I didn't manage to catch a shiny colourful beetle but after finding a similar one at home the following day I identified it retrospectively as Garden Chafer, a new one for me though I'm pretty sure I have seen and not identified them before.  Other beetles were more obliging - there were lots of similar beetles feeding in buttercup flowers and the one I retained proved to be Oedemera lurida, the first time I have identified this species too.  A similar but larger and brighter example proved to be Swollen-thighed Beetle Odemera nobilis.

Oedemera lurida, Ryburgh, 22nd May

Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis, Ryburgh, 22nd May

Moving on to Thursford Wood another beetle was one of the highlights - another new species for me and a more distinctive one, Two-banded Longhorn Beetle.

Two-banded Longhorn Beetle, Thursford Wood, 22nd May

Another new beetle was probably Altica oleracea.  I think the relatively large size (compared to other members of the genus) point to this species, plus it seems to be one of the commoner ones (if not commonest), but it seems that the male genitalia ought to be checked when identifying individuals from this genus, and I think this one was a female.

Altica sp., probably Altica oleracea, Thursford Wood, 22nd May

As I didn't fancy taking this one's mites home with me I'm pleased it was identifiable from photos - another new one for me, Common Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides.

Common Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides, Thursford Wood, 22nd May

Another Malthodes marginatus was identified and 3 Dock Bugs were seen.  A pale green lacewing proved to be Chrysopidia ciliata and there were 15 Azure Damselfies.

Malthodes marginatus (male, gen det), Thursford Wood, 22nd May

Dock Bug, Thursford Wood, 22nd May

Chrysopidia ciliata, Thursford Wood, 22nd May

Some moths were seen too, of course, including Large Long-horn Nematopogon swammerdamella, Green Long-horn Adela reaumurella, Meadow Long-horn Cauchas rufimitrella, Oak Satin Lift Heliozela sericiella, Cork Moth Nemapogon cloacella, Nut Leaf Blister Moth Phyllonorycter coryli, 3 Sulphur Tubics Esperia sulphurella, 2 Bluebell Conches Hysterophora maculosana and 3 Silver-ground Carpets.

It was a good night for moths at home too with these new for the year: Triple-spot Dwarf Elachista maculicerusella, White-shouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella, Pointed Groundling Scrobipalpa acuminatella, Rush Marble Bactra lancealana, Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, Light Emerald, Shears, Common Wainscot and Brown Rustic.

Triple-spot Dwarf Elachista maculicerusella, North Elmham, 22nd May

White-shouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella, North Elmham, 22nd May

Pointed Groundling Scrobipalpa acuminatella (male, gen det), North Elmham, 22nd May

Rush Marble Bactra lancealana, North Elmham, 22nd May

Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiatata, North Elmham, 22nd May

Light Emerald, North Elmham, 22nd May

Shears, North Elmham, 22nd May

Common Wainscot, North Elmham, 22nd May

Brown Rustic, North Elmham, 22nd May

Other moths were Ribwort Slender Aspilapteryx tringipennella, 5 Yellow-faced Bells Notocelia cynosbatella, Bee Moth Aphomia sociella, Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla, 2 Silver-ground Carpets, 2 Green Carpets, 3 Common Pugs, Clouded Border, 2 Brimstone Moths, Waved Umber, Poplar Hawk-moth, Eyed Hawk-moth, 2 Pale Tussocks, 2 White Ermines, Cinnabar, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Nutmeg, 7 Treble Lines and Spectacle.

Eyed Hawk-moth, North Elmham, 22nd May

There were also two caddisflies - Cyrnus flavidus being new for the house and Limnephilus vittatus.

Cyrnus flavidus, North Elmham, 22nd May