Pond Watcher
@watcherpond.bsky.social
Interested in natural history, particularly ponds. Yorkshire based.
Anyone know what this is? Found on underside of Sycamore leaf at Cayton Wood, a National Trust site just south of Scarborough, on 11th October during a visit by Hull Nats.I One proposal has been the moulted cuticle of a hoverfly larva. @ynuorg.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Anyone know what this is? Found on underside of Sycamore leaf at Cayton Wood, a National Trust site just south of Scarborough, on 11th October during a visit by Hull Nats.I One proposal has been the moulted cuticle of a hoverfly larva. @ynuorg.bsky.social
Another Water Beetle. Noterus clavicornis. Leconfield DST 21 Sept. c. 6mm long. Prosternum with ridge and narrow neck
October 4, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Another Water Beetle. Noterus clavicornis. Leconfield DST 21 Sept. c. 6mm long. Prosternum with ridge and narrow neck
c.12 mm Water Beetle from Leconfield DST 21 Sept. Keyed out using Friday to Ilybius fenestratus. Very narrow lateral part of metasternum. @palustris.bsky.social
October 4, 2025 at 8:11 PM
c.12 mm Water Beetle from Leconfield DST 21 Sept. Keyed out using Friday to Ilybius fenestratus. Very narrow lateral part of metasternum. @palustris.bsky.social
I think the Birch was Himalayan Birch B. utilis (had peeling bark). If that helps narrow down the Euura sp.
September 26, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I think the Birch was Himalayan Birch B. utilis (had peeling bark). If that helps narrow down the Euura sp.
Locust Blowfly, Stomorhina lunata, Fen Bog, N Yorkshire 24Sept @ynuorg.bsky.social @suillia.bsky.social
September 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Locust Blowfly, Stomorhina lunata, Fen Bog, N Yorkshire 24Sept @ynuorg.bsky.social @suillia.bsky.social
Bronze Shieldbug, Troilus luridus, has used its long rostrum to stab a sawfly larva. Disturbed from a Birch (ornamental?) Castle Howard, N Yorkshire today. @suillia.bsky.social @rockwolf74.bsky.social
September 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Bronze Shieldbug, Troilus luridus, has used its long rostrum to stab a sawfly larva. Disturbed from a Birch (ornamental?) Castle Howard, N Yorkshire today. @suillia.bsky.social @rockwolf74.bsky.social
This is the second time this year I have Parent Bugs breeding on Silver Birch locally in East Yorkshire. Is this just a chance finding or a known association @rockwolf74.bsky.social ?
September 19, 2025 at 10:16 PM
This is the second time this year I have Parent Bugs breeding on Silver Birch locally in East Yorkshire. Is this just a chance finding or a known association @rockwolf74.bsky.social ?
Extensive bed of Fringed Water Lily Nymphoides peltata iin dried up part of lake near Hayton, East Yorkshire. 2nd September @teamneyedc.bsky.social
September 19, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Extensive bed of Fringed Water Lily Nymphoides peltata iin dried up part of lake near Hayton, East Yorkshire. 2nd September @teamneyedc.bsky.social
Could this be a Stigmella lemniscella mine in Elm? @vc28wildlife.bsky.social East Yorkshire 8 September
September 18, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Could this be a Stigmella lemniscella mine in Elm? @vc28wildlife.bsky.social East Yorkshire 8 September
Burnished Brass, Roeslerstammia erxlebella, this am in Elloughton, East Yorkshire. Larva mines Lime leaves; lots of Limes close to this sighting. @doublekidney.bsky.social
August 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Burnished Brass, Roeslerstammia erxlebella, this am in Elloughton, East Yorkshire. Larva mines Lime leaves; lots of Limes close to this sighting. @doublekidney.bsky.social
A bit gruesome. Larva of parasitic wasp attached to 7-spot ladybird. Presume wasp is Dinocampus coccinellae; larva of this species emerges from inside ladybird, then spins cocoon & pupates under ladybird partially paralysed by wasp. This ladybird had been in same spot for several days.
August 19, 2025 at 10:38 PM
A bit gruesome. Larva of parasitic wasp attached to 7-spot ladybird. Presume wasp is Dinocampus coccinellae; larva of this species emerges from inside ladybird, then spins cocoon & pupates under ladybird partially paralysed by wasp. This ladybird had been in same spot for several days.
Thanks Rob. Here is a photo of underside view of 2nd mine. This mine looks rather different to P.rajella photos I have seen on the web, notably 'my' mine sits over side vein rather than between side veins.
August 16, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Thanks Rob. Here is a photo of underside view of 2nd mine. This mine looks rather different to P.rajella photos I have seen on the web, notably 'my' mine sits over side vein rather than between side veins.
Magnificent Alder on South Cliffe Common, SE Yorkshire. First blotch mine I think caused by Small Alder Midget. I dont know what caused the 2nd apparent blotch mine. Any thoughts welcome @vc28wildlife.bsky.social. Seen on recent @ynuorg.bsky.social excursion.
August 16, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Magnificent Alder on South Cliffe Common, SE Yorkshire. First blotch mine I think caused by Small Alder Midget. I dont know what caused the 2nd apparent blotch mine. Any thoughts welcome @vc28wildlife.bsky.social. Seen on recent @ynuorg.bsky.social excursion.
Could this Potamogeton be P. polygonifolius? Rather pointed leaves and in ditch bordering a sandy maize field (once heathland) and close to existing heathland (Hotham Carrs). 9 August @ astridbiddle.bsky.social. YNU VC61 excursion @ynuorg.bsky.social
August 16, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Could this Potamogeton be P. polygonifolius? Rather pointed leaves and in ditch bordering a sandy maize field (once heathland) and close to existing heathland (Hotham Carrs). 9 August @ astridbiddle.bsky.social. YNU VC61 excursion @ynuorg.bsky.social
Could this be leafminer damage in Buxus? East Yorkshire garden today @vc28wildlife.bsky.social
August 9, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Could this be leafminer damage in Buxus? East Yorkshire garden today @vc28wildlife.bsky.social
Four-barred Soldierfly, Oxycera rara. Found early yesterday morning on hedge only metres from a housing estate in East Yorkshire. It was not bothered by me moving the leaf to try to get a better photo (even so photos not that crisp, a pity).
July 26, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Four-barred Soldierfly, Oxycera rara. Found early yesterday morning on hedge only metres from a housing estate in East Yorkshire. It was not bothered by me moving the leaf to try to get a better photo (even so photos not that crisp, a pity).
Female Bog Bush-cricket, Metrioptera brachyptera, moulting, Strensall Common nr York 13 July. Spotted by sharp-eyed John K on Hull Nats field trip. @bladetail.bsky.social @ynuorg.bsky.social @teamneyedc.bsky.social
July 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Female Bog Bush-cricket, Metrioptera brachyptera, moulting, Strensall Common nr York 13 July. Spotted by sharp-eyed John K on Hull Nats field trip. @bladetail.bsky.social @ynuorg.bsky.social @teamneyedc.bsky.social
Surprised that iNaturalist proposed an ID for this single poor photo of a beetle larva: Broscus cephalotes. Found under log at bottom of dry valley in Yorkshire Wolds nr Londesborough 1st July. Could the ID be correct? @nottscoleoptera
July 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Surprised that iNaturalist proposed an ID for this single poor photo of a beetle larva: Broscus cephalotes. Found under log at bottom of dry valley in Yorkshire Wolds nr Londesborough 1st July. Could the ID be correct? @nottscoleoptera
Thanks for the wasp ID. Here are some more photos of the Sphecodes in case they help.
July 4, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Thanks for the wasp ID. Here are some more photos of the Sphecodes in case they help.
Exposed chalky bank at Cleaving Combe nr Londesborough, East Yorkshire, 1st July. Nesting site for Blood Bees (species?) and Digger Wasps (species?) , with an active handsome White-palped Jumping Spider
July 3, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Exposed chalky bank at Cleaving Combe nr Londesborough, East Yorkshire, 1st July. Nesting site for Blood Bees (species?) and Digger Wasps (species?) , with an active handsome White-palped Jumping Spider
Eriothrix rufomaculata with prominent eyes
June 28, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Eriothrix rufomaculata with prominent eyes
I think this could be Chloreutis pariana , the Apple Leaf Skeletonizer, whose larvae particularly like to eat upper surface of Crab Apple leaves. Not too common in Yorkshire apparently. Found in East Yorkshire garden, nr Brough today. @doublekidney.bsky.social
June 28, 2025 at 10:11 PM
I think this could be Chloreutis pariana , the Apple Leaf Skeletonizer, whose larvae particularly like to eat upper surface of Crab Apple leaves. Not too common in Yorkshire apparently. Found in East Yorkshire garden, nr Brough today. @doublekidney.bsky.social
Hogweed in Helmsley (Yorkshire) hedgerow 12 June had lots of shiny green nymphs. Assumed they were Grypocoris stysi as adults present. Are holes in umbel buds anything to do with them? @rockwolf74.bsky.social
June 14, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Hogweed in Helmsley (Yorkshire) hedgerow 12 June had lots of shiny green nymphs. Assumed they were Grypocoris stysi as adults present. Are holes in umbel buds anything to do with them? @rockwolf74.bsky.social
I have no idea what this is? 4 mm long, although it could be double this because it gave the appearance of being bent over . On Laurel hedge in East Yorkshire 9th June. Can anyone help with ID, please. @andydnunn.bsky.social
June 9, 2025 at 11:06 PM
I have no idea what this is? 4 mm long, although it could be double this because it gave the appearance of being bent over . On Laurel hedge in East Yorkshire 9th June. Can anyone help with ID, please. @andydnunn.bsky.social