Simon Knott
@sjbknott.bsky.social
Birds, Chess, Coleoptera, Flora, Moths, R&I, Syrphidae, Stratiomyidae et al.
Slowly rewilding Herts garden & trying to photograph its fauna & flora.
Slowly rewilding Herts garden & trying to photograph its fauna & flora.
Black-spotted Chestnut (Conistra rubiginosa) from Tuesday night in Bengeo. True winter noctuid that arrived in UK in 2011, colonised here in 2018. Population has slowly risen since but local area remains its only stronghold in Herts.
@bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social #teammoth
@bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social #teammoth
November 13, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Black-spotted Chestnut (Conistra rubiginosa) from Tuesday night in Bengeo. True winter noctuid that arrived in UK in 2011, colonised here in 2018. Population has slowly risen since but local area remains its only stronghold in Herts.
@bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social #teammoth
@bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social #teammoth
Povolnya leucapennella last Friday in Bengeo, associated with evergreen oaks such as Holm Oak (Quercus ilex). Very scarce species in Herts. @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social #teammoth
November 6, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Povolnya leucapennella last Friday in Bengeo, associated with evergreen oaks such as Holm Oak (Quercus ilex). Very scarce species in Herts. @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social #teammoth
Beetles found indoors:
Tasgius ater found last night by my wife, large (16mm) staphylinid predator of woodlice. Originally coastal species that has spread inland in last seventy years. Commonest Tasgius in garden. #Staphylinidae
Tasgius ater found last night by my wife, large (16mm) staphylinid predator of woodlice. Originally coastal species that has spread inland in last seventy years. Commonest Tasgius in garden. #Staphylinidae
October 25, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Beetles found indoors:
Tasgius ater found last night by my wife, large (16mm) staphylinid predator of woodlice. Originally coastal species that has spread inland in last seventy years. Commonest Tasgius in garden. #Staphylinidae
Tasgius ater found last night by my wife, large (16mm) staphylinid predator of woodlice. Originally coastal species that has spread inland in last seventy years. Commonest Tasgius in garden. #Staphylinidae
Soldierflies are much less well known than hoverflies but some species are highly colourful.
Sargus bipunctatus ♀ today in Bengeo garden, large attractive woodland species & last soldierfly to appear during year. @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #Stratiomyidae
Sargus bipunctatus ♀ today in Bengeo garden, large attractive woodland species & last soldierfly to appear during year. @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #Stratiomyidae
October 21, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Soldierflies are much less well known than hoverflies but some species are highly colourful.
Sargus bipunctatus ♀ today in Bengeo garden, large attractive woodland species & last soldierfly to appear during year. @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #Stratiomyidae
Sargus bipunctatus ♀ today in Bengeo garden, large attractive woodland species & last soldierfly to appear during year. @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #Stratiomyidae
Reposted by Simon Knott
Hard-hitting quote from RSPB nails it! markavery.info/2025/10/14/r...
Planning Bill amendments #poorprocess #legislativechaos #noclarity #cynical #planningshambles
Planning Bill amendments #poorprocess #legislativechaos #noclarity #cynical #planningshambles
October 14, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Hard-hitting quote from RSPB nails it! markavery.info/2025/10/14/r...
Planning Bill amendments #poorprocess #legislativechaos #noclarity #cynical #planningshambles
Planning Bill amendments #poorprocess #legislativechaos #noclarity #cynical #planningshambles
Every October without fail, hoverfly Myathropa florea ♂ start landing on my head on sunny days. Their buzz is very distinctive & with little coaxing they can be persuaded to stay long enough on my hat to be photographed. Today in Bengeo garden.
October 12, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Every October without fail, hoverfly Myathropa florea ♂ start landing on my head on sunny days. Their buzz is very distinctive & with little coaxing they can be persuaded to stay long enough on my hat to be photographed. Today in Bengeo garden.
Reposted by Simon Knott
One of the most incredible WTF!! moments I have witnessed in 41 years birding Belvide. 8 White-rumped Sandpiper on the north shore between 4pm-5.30pm. Just short of a British Record of 11 on the outer Hebrides. Thought I'd lost the plot when I saw them. Still pinching myself. #UKbirding
October 11, 2025 at 8:06 PM
One of the most incredible WTF!! moments I have witnessed in 41 years birding Belvide. 8 White-rumped Sandpiper on the north shore between 4pm-5.30pm. Just short of a British Record of 11 on the outer Hebrides. Thought I'd lost the plot when I saw them. Still pinching myself. #UKbirding
Adonis Ladybird (Hippodamia variegata) today in Bengeo garden. @ukladybirds.bsky.social @andrew-jewels.bsky.social
October 6, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Adonis Ladybird (Hippodamia variegata) today in Bengeo garden. @ukladybirds.bsky.social @andrew-jewels.bsky.social
Leopoldius calceatus ♀ today in Bengeo garden, dark wasp-mimic conopid parasitoid & very recent arrival in UK (2018).
All three species of Leopoldius have now been recorded here. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
All three species of Leopoldius have now been recorded here. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
September 29, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Leopoldius calceatus ♀ today in Bengeo garden, dark wasp-mimic conopid parasitoid & very recent arrival in UK (2018).
All three species of Leopoldius have now been recorded here. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
All three species of Leopoldius have now been recorded here. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
Mellinus arvensis ♀ today in Bengeo garden, common large late Summer solitary wasp that preys on flies. Associated with sandy places & 1st record here.
September 27, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Mellinus arvensis ♀ today in Bengeo garden, common large late Summer solitary wasp that preys on flies. Associated with sandy places & 1st record here.
Recorded 1st Plumed Fan-foot (Pechipogo plumigeralis) male in Bengeo recently. However tonight this almost pristine female turned up in sitting room. With Ivy (Hedera helix) as one of its hosts plants, species is likely to expand its range rapidly. @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social #teammoth
September 25, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Recorded 1st Plumed Fan-foot (Pechipogo plumigeralis) male in Bengeo recently. However tonight this almost pristine female turned up in sitting room. With Ivy (Hedera helix) as one of its hosts plants, species is likely to expand its range rapidly. @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social #teammoth
Warm nights lead to dispersal of scarce invertebrates.
Rhopalus parumpunctatus on Friday night in Bengeo garden, rhopalid bug associated with dry sandy soils. Curiously zone immediately north of Hertford already supports small range of Breckland species. @britishbugs.bsky.social #attractedtolight
Rhopalus parumpunctatus on Friday night in Bengeo garden, rhopalid bug associated with dry sandy soils. Curiously zone immediately north of Hertford already supports small range of Breckland species. @britishbugs.bsky.social #attractedtolight
September 23, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Warm nights lead to dispersal of scarce invertebrates.
Rhopalus parumpunctatus on Friday night in Bengeo garden, rhopalid bug associated with dry sandy soils. Curiously zone immediately north of Hertford already supports small range of Breckland species. @britishbugs.bsky.social #attractedtolight
Rhopalus parumpunctatus on Friday night in Bengeo garden, rhopalid bug associated with dry sandy soils. Curiously zone immediately north of Hertford already supports small range of Breckland species. @britishbugs.bsky.social #attractedtolight
Pipiza lugubris ♀ today on Ivy (Hedera helix) in Bengeo garden, nationally scarce with distinctive dark wing clouds.
109th species of hoverfly recorded here. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
109th species of hoverfly recorded here. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
September 19, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Pipiza lugubris ♀ today on Ivy (Hedera helix) in Bengeo garden, nationally scarce with distinctive dark wing clouds.
109th species of hoverfly recorded here. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
109th species of hoverfly recorded here. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
24-spot Ladybird (Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata) today in Bengeo garden. 22nd ladybird species recorded here. @ukladybirds.bsky.social @andrew-jewels.bsky.social
September 19, 2025 at 3:32 PM
24-spot Ladybird (Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata) today in Bengeo garden. 22nd ladybird species recorded here. @ukladybirds.bsky.social @andrew-jewels.bsky.social
Ivy (Hedera helix) in September (2):
Colletes hederae ♀, Comma (Polygonia c-album), Ectemnius sp. ♀ & Volucella inanis ♀ today in Bengeo garden.
Colletes hederae ♀, Comma (Polygonia c-album), Ectemnius sp. ♀ & Volucella inanis ♀ today in Bengeo garden.
September 16, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Ivy (Hedera helix) in September (2):
Colletes hederae ♀, Comma (Polygonia c-album), Ectemnius sp. ♀ & Volucella inanis ♀ today in Bengeo garden.
Colletes hederae ♀, Comma (Polygonia c-album), Ectemnius sp. ♀ & Volucella inanis ♀ today in Bengeo garden.
Epistrophe grossulariae ♀ on Ivy (Hedera helix) today in Bengeo garden. Species resembles large Syrphus with almost dead straight black bands on abdomen. Best distinguishing feature though is its behaviour of often hovering at flowers to feed rather than landing. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
September 15, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Epistrophe grossulariae ♀ on Ivy (Hedera helix) today in Bengeo garden. Species resembles large Syrphus with almost dead straight black bands on abdomen. Best distinguishing feature though is its behaviour of often hovering at flowers to feed rather than landing. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) ♂ today in Bengeo garden, Herts. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social
September 15, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) ♂ today in Bengeo garden, Herts. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social
Ivy (Hedera helix) now in full swing. Loads of Vespa crabro feeing on it today in Bengeo garden including 1st male of year. Males can be distinguished from workers by their much longer antennae. #EuropeanHornet
September 15, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Ivy (Hedera helix) now in full swing. Loads of Vespa crabro feeing on it today in Bengeo garden including 1st male of year. Males can be distinguished from workers by their much longer antennae. #EuropeanHornet
Lastly, Ivy (Hedera helix) can attracts rare species.
Callicera aurata ♀ today in Bengeo garden, magnificent large wasp-mimic hoverfly. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #saproxylic
Callicera aurata ♀ today in Bengeo garden, magnificent large wasp-mimic hoverfly. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #saproxylic
September 12, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Lastly, Ivy (Hedera helix) can attracts rare species.
Callicera aurata ♀ today in Bengeo garden, magnificent large wasp-mimic hoverfly. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #saproxylic
Callicera aurata ♀ today in Bengeo garden, magnificent large wasp-mimic hoverfly. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #saproxylic
Ivy (Hedera helix) attracts unusual migrant species.
Stomorhina lunata ♂ today in Bengeo garden, blowfly that is parasitoid of Locust. Every year, vast numbers migrate N from North Africa into Europe. It may be breeding in UK but, if it is, its host is unknown. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #LocustFly
Stomorhina lunata ♂ today in Bengeo garden, blowfly that is parasitoid of Locust. Every year, vast numbers migrate N from North Africa into Europe. It may be breeding in UK but, if it is, its host is unknown. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #LocustFly
September 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Ivy (Hedera helix) attracts unusual migrant species.
Stomorhina lunata ♂ today in Bengeo garden, blowfly that is parasitoid of Locust. Every year, vast numbers migrate N from North Africa into Europe. It may be breeding in UK but, if it is, its host is unknown. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #LocustFly
Stomorhina lunata ♂ today in Bengeo garden, blowfly that is parasitoid of Locust. Every year, vast numbers migrate N from North Africa into Europe. It may be breeding in UK but, if it is, its host is unknown. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #LocustFly
Ivy (Hedera helix) is wonderful resource for invertebrates in September.
7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), Didea fasciata ♀, Volucella zonaria ♀ & Graphomya maculata ♀ today in Bengeo garden. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), Didea fasciata ♀, Volucella zonaria ♀ & Graphomya maculata ♀ today in Bengeo garden. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
September 12, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Ivy (Hedera helix) is wonderful resource for invertebrates in September.
7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), Didea fasciata ♀, Volucella zonaria ♀ & Graphomya maculata ♀ today in Bengeo garden. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), Didea fasciata ♀, Volucella zonaria ♀ & Graphomya maculata ♀ today in Bengeo garden. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Knott
Callicera spinolae, the Ivy Hoverfly, is one of the UK's rarest hoverflies, as well as one of the most spectacular.
This morning, I recorded a female on the Ivy in my S. Cambridgeshire. This is the 5th consecutive year that I have seen this wonderful fly in my garden, four days earlier than before.
This morning, I recorded a female on the Ivy in my S. Cambridgeshire. This is the 5th consecutive year that I have seen this wonderful fly in my garden, four days earlier than before.
September 5, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Callicera spinolae, the Ivy Hoverfly, is one of the UK's rarest hoverflies, as well as one of the most spectacular.
This morning, I recorded a female on the Ivy in my S. Cambridgeshire. This is the 5th consecutive year that I have seen this wonderful fly in my garden, four days earlier than before.
This morning, I recorded a female on the Ivy in my S. Cambridgeshire. This is the 5th consecutive year that I have seen this wonderful fly in my garden, four days earlier than before.
Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) ♀ & Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) ♀ today in Bengeo garden, Herts. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social
September 1, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Willow Emerald Damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis) ♀ & Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) ♀ today in Bengeo garden, Herts. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social
@ashwhiffin.bsky.social 3rd silphid larva found on lawn in garden this year. With curved spines on final tergite, is it ok for Ablattaria laevigata larva?
August 28, 2025 at 10:32 PM
@ashwhiffin.bsky.social 3rd silphid larva found on lawn in garden this year. With curved spines on final tergite, is it ok for Ablattaria laevigata larva?
Ferdinandea cuprea ♀ today in Bengeo garden, common attractive woodland hoverfly that likes to bask on sunny tree trunks. This was one of two females ovipositing at base of dead Oak. #saproxylic
August 24, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Ferdinandea cuprea ♀ today in Bengeo garden, common attractive woodland hoverfly that likes to bask on sunny tree trunks. This was one of two females ovipositing at base of dead Oak. #saproxylic