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.
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
Agrilus olivicolor is Carpinus specialist. 1st recorded in UK in 2016, colonised Hornbeams here in Bengeo garden in 2018.
October 15, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Agrilus olivicolor is Carpinus specialist. 1st recorded in UK in 2016, colonised Hornbeams here in Bengeo garden in 2018.
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.
Warm weather can produce some good wall records. Had 5 species of Hemiptera here on wall yesterday including Rhopalus parumpunctatus, Leptoglossus occidentalis & this pine leafhopper, Grypotes puncticollis.
October 7, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Warm weather can produce some good wall records. Had 5 species of Hemiptera here on wall yesterday including Rhopalus parumpunctatus, Leptoglossus occidentalis & this pine leafhopper, Grypotes puncticollis.
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
Its host is unknown but its dramatic range expansion coinciding with Ivy season is very similar to that of Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae). Perhaps there is a connection?
September 29, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Its host is unknown but its dramatic range expansion coinciding with Ivy season is very similar to that of Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae). Perhaps there is a connection?
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
Species range expansion appears to have slowed. 1st Herts record in garden in 2018, significant mating numbers present in 2019 & no records here since 2020. Suspect it may be vulnerable to spring/summer droughts which have been feature of recent years.
September 2, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Species range expansion appears to have slowed. 1st Herts record in garden in 2018, significant mating numbers present in 2019 & no records here since 2020. Suspect it may be vulnerable to spring/summer droughts which have been feature of recent years.
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?
They are widespread in wild in Lee Valley. Here is 3rd instar on rosehip in August 2024 near Turnford.
August 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
They are widespread in wild in Lee Valley. Here is 3rd instar on rosehip in August 2024 near Turnford.