BLOTCH WINGED HOVERFLY (Leucozoba lucorum) male at Ardgillan Demense, Balbriggan, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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Click external link here to see a Beginners Guide to Hoverflies 

 

The Blotch winged Hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus) is of the family Syrphidae which is in the genus Helophilus. This is a very distinctive species that mimics the Common Carder Bumblebee (Bombus pascuorum). Orange hairs on the thorax and an orange yellow scutellum are among the features that help separate it from Volucella hoverflies. In Ireland the normal flight season extends from May to August.

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

 

Reference and highly recommended reading:

Britain's Hoverflies A field guide 2nd edition Stuart Ball and Roger Morris

SCARLET LILLY BEETLE (Lilioceris lilii) at Ardgillan Demense, Balbriggan, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland

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  The Scarlet Lilly Beetle (Lilioceris lilii) is of the family Chrysomelidae which is in the genus Lilioceris. It is native to parts of mainland Europe as well as Asia and occurs as an invasive species/ horticultural pest in many other countries. This leaf beetle overwinters as an adult and in late spring emerges to lay its eggs, in small clusters, on lillies and fritillaries. Subsequently both adults and larvae can cause extensive damage feeding on all parts of these plants. In Britain it was first recorded in 1839 and is now widespread. There were no reports from Ireland until 2001 and it has since been reported from a number of counties.

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FOUR BANDED LONGHORN BEETLE (Leptura quadrifasciata) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Four Banded Longhorn Beetle (Leptura quadrifasciata) is of the family Cerambycidae which is in the genus Leptura. It occurs throughout the northern and central Palearctic region. In Britain it has a wide spread but local distribution. Based on published reports, it is an uncommon and very local species in Ireland and has only been recorded from fifteen locations.
The wood boring larvae feed on dead and decaying trees. The pollen eating adults feed on a variety of plants including umbellifers. The life cycle lasts 2 or 3 years but the adults are short lived which might account for the lack of records.

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 Reference:  https://maps.biodiversityireland.ie/Species/75569

DOWNLOOKER SNIPEFLY (Rhagio scolopaceus) male typically found resting facing downwards on tree trunks, fence posts or walls Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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Click external link here for details of Snipefly species found in Britain and Ireland

 

The Downlooker Snipefly (Rhagio scolopaceus) or Downlooker Snipe Fly is of the family Rhagionidae which is in the genus Rhagio.
Length 8 to 16 mm. This common species preys upon a wide variety of flies caught on the wing. Pollen is also eaten. Hedgerows, woodland rides and clearings with associated damp meadows are its typical habitats. The flight season is from early May to mid August. The larval stage, which occurs in soil and woodland detritus, feeds on earthworms as well as beetle larvae.

 

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GREEN TIGER BEETLE (Cicindela campestris) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris)  is of the family Carabidae which is in the genus Cicindela.

SIX SPOT BURNET MOTH (Zygaena filipendulae) pair mating and a third individual struggling to emerge from its pupal casing, Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

 

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The Six Spot Burnet Moth (Zygaena filipendulae) is of the family Zygaenidae which is in the genus Zygaena.

COMMON FIELD GRASSHOPPER (Chorthippus brunneus) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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 The Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus) is of the family Acrididae which is in the genus Chorthippus.

COMMON FIELD GRASSHOPPER (Chorthippus brunneus) [4th instar nymph] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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 The Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus) is of the family Acrididae which is in the genus Chorthippus. Like all species of grasshopper, it goes through five instar stages before becoming an adult.

HAIRY SHIELDBUG (Dolycoris baccarumm) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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Click here to see identification guide to British and Irish Shieldbugs 

 

The Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum) or Sloe Bug, is of the family Pentatomidae which is in the genus Dolycoris. Shieldbugs go through five instar stages before becoming adults.

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COMMON FIELD GRASSHOPPER (Chorthippus brunneus) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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 The Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus) is of the family Acrididae which is in the genus Chorthippus.

GREEN TIGER BEETLE (Cicindela campestris) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

  

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The Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris)  is of the family Carabidae which is in the genus Cicindela.

BRIMSTONE BUTTERFLY (Gonepteryx rhamni) male at Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Brimstone Butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni) is of the family Pieridae which is in genus Gonepteryx. It occurs in Europe, Asia and parts of northern Africa. The presence of its larval host plants, Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) and Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus carthartica) influences its geographic range and distribution. This butterfly can live for up to a year and the flight season is from April to August. It then overwinters as an adult and emerges, after seven months, from hibernation.

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PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY (Palomena prasina) on DEVIL'S BIT SCABIOUS WILDFLOWER (Succisa pratensis) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa cardui) is of the family Nymphalidae which is in the genus Vanessa.

COMMON CARDER BUMBLEBEE (Bombus pascuorum) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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  Click here to see identification guide to Irish Bumblesbees

 

The Common Carder Bumblebee (Bombus pascuorum) or Common Carder Bee is of the family Apidae which is in the genus Bombus.

BRIMSTONE BUTTERFLY (Gonepteryx rhamni) [Female] Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Brimstone Butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni) is of the family Pieridae which is in genus Gonepteryx. It occurs in Europe, Asia and parts of northern Africa. The presence of its larval host plants, Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) and Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus carthartica) influences its geographic range and distribution. This butterfly can live for up to a year and the flight season is from April to August. It then overwinters as an adult and emerges, after seven months, from hibernation.

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HAIRY SHIELDBUG (Dolycoris baccarumm) Lullymore West Bog, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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Click here to see identification guide to British and Irish Shieldbugs

 

The Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum) or Sloe Bug, is of the family Pentatomidae which is in the genus Dolycoris. Shieldbugs go through five instar stages before becoming adults.

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GARDEN BUMBLEBEE (Bombus hortorum) Lullymore West Bog, I.P.C.C. Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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Click external link here to see identification guide to Irish Bumblebees 

 

The Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) is of the family Apidae which is in the genus Bombus.

MEADOW FROGHOPPER (Phyllobius pomaceus) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Meadow Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius) also known as Meadow Spittlebug, Common Froghopper or simply Froghopper is of the family Aphrophoridae which is in the genus Philaenus. It has a widespread distribution throughout the Palearctic region and is also found as an invasive species in parts of North America. 

When the larva hatches out, it self-generates a foam nest which is commonly known as Cuckoo spit that can be found on a variety of plant species. After 50 days and a series of instar stages, the adult emerges from the now dried casing. 

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COMMON POND SKATER [Nymph] (Gerris lacustris) Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Common Pond Skater (Gerris lacustris), also known as Common Water Strider, is of the family Garridae which is in the genus Gerris. This predatory insect occurs throughout Europe including Britain and Ireland. 

The middle and rear legs are covered in sensitive hairs which detect movement of prey items and the front legs are used to capture victims. After overwintering as adults, they emerge in late April to commence mating and then egg laying. When the eggs hatch, there are five instar or nymph stages before becoming brown coloured adults. Hibernation away from water commences in late October.

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COMMON DARTER DRAGONFLY (Sympetrum striolatum) [Female] Lullymore West Bog, IPCC Nature Reserve, Lullymore, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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The Common Darter Dragonfly (Sympetrum striolatum) is of the family Libellulidae which is in the genus Sympetrum. This is the commonest dragonfly that occurs throughout Eurasia. In the southern part of its range the flight season is year round. In Britain and Ireland it is on the wing from June to late October. Separate with care from the very similar Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) which has all black legs and a slightly tapered mid abdomen.

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