Eupteryx stachydearum

A new leafhopper on the oregano plants this morning. I am still seeing lots of Eupteryx melissae and the occasional E. decemnotata on the asters but this one looks quite different! From the description on British Bugs, particularly regarding the pattern on the scutellum, I would say that this E. stachydearum.

Also spotted a Common Flower Bug on the asters.

Common Flower Bug

Eupteryx stachydearum query

Bute Park - fungus query

Walking in the sunshine in Bute Park this morning and noticed this patch of fungus on the edge of the path. Thinking it would be straightforward to identify I snapped a picture .... but I have failed miserably! Can anyone help please?

Is there a different type of fungus growing in the crack in the path at the bottom left of the picture?

fly blowing bubbles

What's this all about then?

Creigiau hedgehogs

Have been getting regular visits from an adult hedgehog during the summer, but it was nice to see two young hedgehogs in the garden last night. One on either side of the garden path. Hopefully this is a family group and I may be lucky enough to see them visit together.

Creigiau - recent garden visitors

Despite the recent changeable weather, a range of invertebrates are still visiting the garden. Common Carder Bumblebees and Honey Bees continue to be busy in the flower beds competing with the various hoverflies that are still around - these are mainly Eristalis sp. with a number of small unidentified sp. adding to the mix.

I don't usually bother with the large number of flies that all look very similar but a recent Cluster Fly  stood out because of the golden coloured thorax.

Cluster Fly

Also seeing a number of the tiny Moth/Drain Flies.

Moth Fly

As the flowers begin to die back, a number of leafhoppers are appearing on the leaves. The majority of these have been Eupterys melissae (I think), but there have been occasional sightings of, what I believe is, Eupteryx decemnotata. My problem with this is that E decemnotata does not appear to have any sightings logged on the LRC Wales DAT - is my ID wrong or is this species under-recorded?

Eupterys melissae

Eupteryx decomnotata ?

Having not seen a Harvestman for a couple of years, I have now seen three species in the garden this year. In addition to Dicranpalpus ramosus and Leiobunum rotundum, I have recently spotted Opilio canestrinii in the flower beds.

Opilio canestrinii

The garden continues to amaze, and it is very much a case of 'the more you look, the more you see'.

empty pupal case query

Found this empty pupal case poking out between two petals of Purple Coneflower. Amazing structure but I have no idea what was in it. (the grid is 2mm)