NatureWatch

This blog has come to an end....

2009-08-03T17:25:00.002+01:00

YES, I'm afraid the Colin Stainton NatureWatch blog will receive no new posts, but the Loughborough Echo will continue to feature NatureWatch photos regularly, so if you have any photos you wish to appear in the paper, please email them to David_Godsall@mrn.co.uk

Beetle of the Month by Bill Phillips

2009-07-28T15:02:00.003+01:00

August

Longhorn Beetles – Wasp Mimics

Longhorn beetles (Family Cerambycidae) are named because of their long antennae that are always at least two thirds as long as the body (sometimes four times as long!) The bodies of these beetles are long, narrow and with parallel sides, and development usually occurs in deciduous trees or conifers, where the grub-like larvae live under bark or bore into wood.

The strikingly marked Wasp Beetle, Clytus arietis, (Photo 1, Stonebow Washlands, late May 2009) mimics wasps in colour and shape, and also in behaviour.

It runs quickly with jerky movements and is wasp-like in flight. Found in or around woodlands throughout Britain from May to July, adults feed on the nectar and pollen of flowers which are often also visited by wasps. The beetle (20 mm in length) is harmless (without a sting) but gains a survival advantage from resembling a wasp, as birds avoid eating it, or at least hesitate long enough for the wasp beetle to escape! Females search out dead or decaying timber in the Spring, where they lay their eggs. The larvae take two years to develop fully because of the low nutritional value of dead wood. Predators of the beetle include birds which dig out the larvae

and pupae, and parasitic wasps which bore into the wood and lay their eggs inside the beetle larvae.

One of the commonest and most widespread of longhorn species is the Spotted Longhorn, Strangalia maculata, which also has wasp–like black and yellow markings, of highly variable patterns, on its characteristically tapered elytra (wing cases)

(Photo 2, Stonebow Washlands, July 2008). Adult beetles (14 – 20 mm in length) are found feeding on the pollen of flowers, especially umbellifers, from June to August. The larvae develop in moist, rotting wood of various deciduous trees such as oak, beech, willow and poplar.

Photograph by Colin Barsby

2009-07-09T16:20:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Samuel Marshall

2009-07-09T16:15:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Susan Guy

2009-07-09T16:14:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Joan Bloodworth

2009-07-09T16:12:00.000+01:00

Beetle of the Month by Bill Phillips

2009-07-09T15:49:00.013+01:00

July

Harlequin Ladybird

Before 2007, residents of Loughborough and surrounding districts would not have come across the Harlequin Ladybird (Photo 1) in the wild but since then, many of you may have seen this species in your garden.

The Harlequin ladybird is described as an alien species. It is a native of eastern Asia but has been introduced into many countries as a biological control agent against aphid and scale insect infestations in green

houses, crops and gardens. It was accidentally introduced into the UK in 2004 probably by a variety of routes. Some have flown across the channel, others have been found on imported flowers and vegetables. The habitat range of this species is very diverse. Adults have excellent dispersal capabilities (flight) and can be found in many localities. They are most commonly found on deciduous trees, e.g. lime, sycamore and maple, and on low growing plants e.g. nettles (look for evidence of aphid infestation, e.g. ‘sticky’ leaves).

The Harlequin ladybird is large, typically 6 – 8 mm in length, comparable to the well known 7 spot ladybird. It is however extremely variable in appearance. The elytra (wing case) colouration can be pale yellow –orange, orange- red, red or black. There can be between 0 – 21 orange-red or black spots or a grid pattern, particularly for adults developing in the autumn. The most common forms in the UK are orange with 15 – 21 black spots (Photo 1, an example of the form succinea), black with 2 red/orange spots (form conspicua) or 4 orange/red spots (form spectabilis). These black (melanic) forms are shown in Photo 2 on a senescent Sycamore leaf.

The pronotum (top of the section behind the head) of the Harlequin ladybird has a white or cream area, usually with up to 5 spots or M shaped mark. The wing cases turn outwards at the base (wide keel) and legs are

almost always brown.

Hibernating adults emerge in the spring, mate and lay groups of yellow eggs on the leaves of a wide variety of plants. The predatory larvae (Photo 3) are black and spiky, with characteristic orange tufts and are easily distinguished from the larvae of the 7 spot ladybird (Photo 4) which often occurs in the same habitat e.g. a nettle patch.

These are a blue-grey when mature with 8 yellow spots (arranged in two pairs on each side of the abdomen). Both feed on aphids and other small insects. When fully grown Harlequin larvae become inactive and then moult to form conspicuously coloured pupae which are easily spotted on leaves or stems (Photo 5). The next generation of

ladybirds emerge in late June/early July and unlike native ladybirds, soon mate and lay eggs again, to produce at least two generations per year. Large numbers of this species may be seen

until late October, as was the case in

Loughborough in 2007.

Adult Harlequin beetles are voracious predators of aphids (Photo 6), scale insects and a large number of other native insects, including the larvae of many native ladybirds.

The accidental introduction of this species to the UK and its rapid spread across the country, may have a devastating impact on the natural balance within the ecosystem. Dr Helen Roy, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and co-ordinator of the Harlequin Survey, recently told the BBC “The Harlequin is a top predator and we know it sits within a web of many other insects that it interacts with, and other organisms as well. Because there is nothing very much that attacks it, we believe that 1,000 species all have the potential to be impacted”.

NatureWatch blog readers finding a Harlequin ladybird can send in their observation to www.harlequin-survey.org which will provide more information on this interesting beetle. Sightings of native ladybirds can be reported to www.ladybird-survey.org which provides excellent information on ladybird identification.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker by Peter Berry

2009-07-09T15:34:00.008+01:00

A distinctive black, white and red bird. It’s Britain’s most widespread woodpecker – and can be encountered wherever there are trees.

It can be a regular visitor to gardens to feed on peanuts and fat. Most of its food is obtained by pecking at dead and decaying wood to extract insects and larvae, and crevices and decayed spots are attacked with rapid blows of the beak.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker also uses drumming in territorial displays – and is the most evocative early morning woodland sound in the spring.

Both male and female produce the sound by striking a series of rapid blows at dead tree trunks/branches. Each drum consists of about 16 blows delivered in less than a second.

A new nest cavity is usually excavated each year. Dead birch stumps and oaks are preferred – and this activity can take the birds one or two weeks – depending on the hardness of the chosen tree.

Between three and seven eggs are laid. The nest is always kept clean by adults removing chicks’ droppings.

Adults and immature birds both have bright red under tail feathers. But only the male has the brilliant red patch on its nape.

On fledging, immature birds have red on the top of their head. This disappears after moulting in autumn.

Photograph by Angela Taylor

2009-07-09T14:28:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Peter Berry

2009-07-09T14:26:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Angela Taylor

2009-07-09T14:22:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Eric Dryden

2009-07-09T14:20:00.002+01:00

Photograph by Peter Berry

2009-07-09T14:20:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Mark Birkin

2009-07-09T14:19:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Gill Amatt

2009-07-09T14:18:00.002+01:00

Photograph by Bill Phillips

2009-07-09T14:18:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Angela Taylor

2009-07-09T14:17:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Tina Cooper

2009-07-09T14:16:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Susan Guy

2009-07-09T14:15:00.002+01:00

Photograph by Mick Key

2009-07-09T14:15:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Lynne Marshall

2009-07-09T14:14:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Bill Phillips

2009-07-09T14:13:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Angela Taylor

2009-07-09T14:12:00.002+01:00

Photograph by Susan Guy

2009-07-09T14:12:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Ray Briddon

2009-07-09T14:11:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Peter Berry

2009-07-09T14:10:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Jacqueline Thorpe

2009-07-09T14:09:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Eric Dryden

2009-07-09T14:08:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Ellen Troop

2009-07-09T14:07:00.000+01:00

Beetle of the Month by Bill Phillips

2009-06-17T17:36:00.008+01:00

(June)

Soldier Beetles

Cantharis nigra (Photos 1 and 2, May 2009)) is generally found in damp habitats. It is a relatively large soldier beetle (11 – 15 mm in length), abundant from mid May to early August in hedges e.g. Hazel and on ground vegetation, including nettle patches in the Stonebow Washlands area of Loughborough.

Soldier beetles derive their name from the red, yellow and black colouring of many species, reminiscent of old military uniforms

. They are a family of beetles with relatively soft, sometimes

very short elytra (wing cases). Their bodies are elongate with parallel sides and the head has distinctive curved mandibles (jaws) (

Photo 2),

reflecting a predatory feeding habit, and long, filiform ,11 segmented, antennae (longer in males than in fem

ales but not longer than the body).

Soldier beetles are common from spring to summer (May – July)

on flowers of herbaceous plants e.g. Hedge Parsley or Thistle heads and can also be found on flowering bushes and trees. They feed on various small insects and their larvae but some will also feed on pollen grains and nectar. The flat bodied larvae have a distinctive velv

ety appearance and live underground, hunting for insect prey in soil, decayi

ng wood leaf litter and under bark.

The Black-tipped Soldier beetle, Rhagonycha fulva

(Photo 3, Stonebow Washlands, July 2008)) is an extremely common and widespread species, which is the most likely species to be seen on a country walk in June and July. 7 – 10 mm in length, it can easily be recognised from its straw

-coloured to brownish body, with a brownish black spot on the tip of its elytra (wing cases). It occurs mainly in sunny localities on the outskirts of woods, in gardens and meadows. The beetles can be found, sometimes in large numbers,

feeding on small insects and polle

n, (and often mating!) on the flowers of umbelliferous species (e.g. Hedge Parsley), Thistles and other herbaceous plants. Females lay eggs just below the soil surface.

The soldier beetle Podabrus alpinus ( Photo 4, top of Beacon Hill, June 2008)

resembles some Cantharis species in general colouration but it has a distinctive head shape and eye position, with a relatively long ‘neck’. It is associated with woodland, particularly where Pine trees are present.

The distinct black markings on the thorax of Cantharis

decipiens

(Photo 5, Gorse Covert wood, May 2009) help identify this smaller species (length 7 – 11 mm), which also has a brownish –yellow body colour. It favours trees and shrubs, particularly if Hawthorn blossom is present.

Cantharis rustica (Photo 6, Gorse Covert wood, May 2009)

is another common larger soldier beetle. It is similar to Catharis nigra but has mainly red femora (‘thighs’) and the red pronotum (covering the thorax) has a small central dark ‘spot’. Beetles hunt small insects, including aphids, on flowers in grasslands and woods.

A useful site to help with some ‘bug’ identifications is www.naturespot.co.uk

Photograph by Peter Berry

2009-06-17T17:31:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Philip Thorne

2009-06-17T17:30:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Bill Phillips

2009-06-17T17:28:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Angela Taylor

2009-06-17T17:27:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Mike Murray

2009-06-17T17:26:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Steve Williams

2009-06-17T17:24:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Robert Parnell

2009-06-17T17:23:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Pam Wilson

2009-06-17T17:21:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Mark Stewart

2009-05-15T17:00:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Bill Phillips

2009-05-15T11:42:00.000+01:00

Photograph of a Song Thrush by Peter Berry.

2009-05-15T11:41:00.002+01:00

Photograph by Margaret Wall

2009-05-13T17:20:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Peter Berry

2009-05-13T17:19:00.003+01:00

Photograph by Peter Berry

2009-05-13T17:18:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Phil Thorne

2009-05-13T17:17:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Bill Phillips

2009-05-13T17:16:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Mark Ramsell

2009-05-08T09:07:00.001+01:00

Beetle of the Month by Bill Phillips

2009-05-08T09:06:00.000+01:00

CARDINAL BEETLE

(May)

Cardinal beetles or Fire-coloured beetles (Pyrochroidae) are a small family, with 150 species, three of which are European. Adult beetles are usually 14–18mm in length, flattened and soft bodied, with elytra (wing cases) that broaden noticeably towards the rear of the body.

Elytra are red or reddish orange, hence the scientific name (in Greek, pyr = fire and chros = body). The head narrows at the rear, giving the appearance of a broad ‘neck’. Photograph 1 shows a female Pyrochroa Serraticornis on a nettle leaf at the edge of Gorse Covert wood in late May 2008. This species is rarer and slightly smaller than Pyrochroa Coccinea, which has a black head.

Sexes are similar but have different antennae – the female has more

slender, serrate (combed) antennae whereas the male has feathery antennae.

Cardinal beetles fly in May and June on sunny days, mainly in clearings, near footpaths, usually at the edge of vegetation. They feed on sweet fluids so can be found on fresh birch stumps discharging sap or on leaves with aphid honey-dew on the surface. They visit flowers of various shrubs e.g. hawthorn or herbaceous plants such as Umbillifers e.g. Hedge Parsley.

The larvae (Photograph 2) develop under the bark of old, dry deciduous trees, old stumps and trunks felled some time previously (plenty of these habitats in Gorse Covert!).

The flattened body of the larva enables it to crawl in tunnels under the bark where it is a predator on various insects including the larvae of bark beetles. It can also feed on fungal threads and can display cannibalism when food is in short supply.

The larva pupates in spring in an excavated chamber.

Toads by Peter Berry

2009-05-08T09:05:00.000+01:00

NATUREWATCH contributor Peter Berry has been busy with his camera taking photographs of toads. Here he has written a little about their habitat.

Peter said he counted at least 70 at a pond in Loughborough.

“They had spawned – and it was the first time I had seen toad spawn up close. Very different to frog spawn, which is in clumps. Toad eggs are laid in long strings.”

The common toad is a widespread amphibian found throughout Britain. It’s generally brown or olive brown in colour – young specimens are often brick coloured. The skin is warty and often appears dry. Glands in the skin contain powerful toxins and predators quickly learn not to attempt to eat toads.

The common toad can be found in almost any habitat and is common in gardens. It prefers larger water bodies in which to breed, and because toxins are also present in the skin of the tadpoles, they are able to breed in ponds and lakes containing fish, which learn to avoid the distasteful tadpoles.

The toads congregate at breeding ponds in early April but for the rest of the year will wander well away from water as they are far more tolerant of dry conditions than the frogs.

Common Toads feed on any moving prey small enough for them to swallow, and they are most active at night.

Toadlets emerge in August usually after a heavy rain and in huge numbers. At this stage of their lives they are extremely small and speckled with gold, and toads can live up to 50 years.

Photograph by Angela Taylor

2009-05-06T17:45:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Peter Berry

2009-05-06T17:44:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Bill Phillips

2009-05-06T17:44:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Dan Norcott

2009-05-06T17:43:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Tony Blythe

2009-05-06T17:42:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Bob Marsh

2009-05-06T17:41:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Colin Barsby

2009-05-06T17:41:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Richard Plant

2009-05-06T17:40:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Angela Taylor

2009-05-06T17:38:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Bill Phillips

2009-04-08T15:48:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Dean Gale

2009-04-02T15:50:00.003+01:00

"JUST been looking at your blog. Very interesting and some good pictures.

Thought you might like one that I took this morning," said Dean.

"It is a picture of a group of “Apostle Birds” so called because they seem to hang about in groups of 12.

Up here in Far North Queensland the locals call them “Happy Jacks”.

Photograph by David Robinson

2009-04-02T15:47:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Kevin Pearson

2009-04-02T15:46:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Peter Berry

2009-04-02T15:45:00.000+01:00

The Common Frog by Peter Berry

2009-03-27T12:56:00.016Z

The Common Frog is the most widespread species in Europe. They prefer to be in cool, moist conditions under dense foliage where they prey on slugs, snails, worms and insects. They are found in gardens, fields and woods. They do not search for food in the water and do not feed during the mating period.
In their third year, frogs become sexually mature and in early spring they go to a suitable shallow pond or stream, which is usually where they were bred.
The males arrive first and attract females by emitting a low croaking sound. Taking to the water, the courtship is short as the male attaches himself to the female using the pads on the first digits of the fore legs. She begins to release up to 2,000 eggs and the male simultaneously releases his sperm over the eggs, which must fertilize them before the gelatinous coating swells to form a protective raft( frog spawn).

After 10-20 days, depending on the temperature, the black central egg develops into a tadpole with a yolk sac, which it digests for its initial nourishment.

After a few days, the mouth, external gills and eyes have formed and more normal feeding can begin on algae in the water.
At about five weeks old, the hind legs start to grow, as do the lungs, and the tadpole begins to swim to the surface of the water for air. Teeth have developed by now and it adds to its diet with insects and other tadpoles.
At around 10 weeks, the tail starts to be reduced and the fore legs start developing. Four weeks later the metamorphosis is almost complete and the froglet begins to spend time out of the water on rocks and plants. This time scale may be longer in cooler regions or if food is scarce.
From the large amount of eggs produced, only about one to two per cent make it through to adulthood. The total life span of a frog can be about seven to eight years.
Numbers of frogs have declined in recent years, mainly due to shrinking habitat due to drainage schemes and industrial farming methods. Frogs, as with most wildlife, are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Beetle of the Month by Bill Phillips

2009-03-26T12:54:00.019Z

LEAF BEETLES
(April)

LEAF beetles are a very large family of beetles with much diversity of form, size and colour. Typically they are hairless, broadly oval when seen from above and rounded when seen from the side. Some species are cylindrical and elongate whereas others resemble ladybirds – they can be distinguished by the fact that ladybirds have three clearly visible tarsal (‘foot’) segments whereas leaf beetles appear to have four.
Many are brightly coloured or have a metallic sheen – conspicuous colouration, which often warns predators that the beetles are unpalatable (producing noxious compounds or using plant toxins from their diet).
Adults and larvae of all species are herbivorous and the evidence of a damaged food plant can often enable you to spot a leaf beetle! The adults mainly graze or chew flowers or foliage while the grub-like, short legged larvae either feed externally or mine and bore through leaves, stems and roots.
Many species are serious pests e.g. the notorious Colorado Potato Beetle. Two species that can be found in the Loughborough area are the Dock Leaf Beetle Gastrophysa viridula (e.g. on the edge of Gorse Covert wood) and the Viburnum Leaf Beetle ( Mount Grace Road, near the bridge, on the edge of Stonebow Washlands).
The Dock Leaf Beetle (photo 1) is found in damp meadows or wastelands and also along field tracks or in gardens. The beetle, 4 – 6 mm in length, has metallic colouring – its elytra (wing cases) are usually green, although coppery and golden-green shades can be found, with the underside of its body a metallic black. Adults emerge from hibernation in the spring and locate their host plants – larvae and adults feed on Docks and related species (Rumex) – both bite holes in the leaves, whose blades are quickly reduced in size and riddled with perforations so that their presence is obvious even from a distance.
Fertilised females become gravid (photo 2) – the abdomen is swollen with several hundred yellow eggs, which are laid in batches (20 – 45 eggs) on the underside of Dock leaves. The black larvae emerge within a week, feeding in small groups on the underside of leaves (photo 3) and when fully grown descend to the ground to pupate. There is more than one generation per year and adults can be found until the autumn.

The Viburnum Leaf Beetle (photo 4) is 5–6 mm in length, greyish- brown in colour and surprisingly difficult to see on its food plant. It can be a serious pest of Viburnum or Guelder Rose, often having a devastating effect on this shrub, reducing foliage to a lacework of damaged leaves (photo 5, late May 2008 in Mount Grace Road – how many larvae can you spot?).
The species over-winters, as eggs placed in small pits in the bark of the Viburnum stems, which hatch in May to release greenish-yellow larvae, which start to skeletonize foliage, usually starting with lower leaves and leaving only midribs and major veins intact.
As larvae mature, they darken and develop a series of dark spots (photo 6), before pupating in the soil. Adults emerge in late summer and evidence of their feeding damage is irregular and circular (photo 4, October 2007). When disturbed the beetles usually drop quickly to the ground. There is one generation per year.

Photograph by Angela Taylor

2009-03-24T15:08:00.001Z

The Life Cycle of a Dragonfly by Peter Berry

2009-03-12T15:33:00.000Z

These insects have a very unique system of mating, involving secondary reproductive organs at the front of the male's abdomen.

At the end of the male abdomen area there is a pair of pincer like claws called claspers.

Before courtship, the male transfers sperm from the true reproductive opening at his hind end, to the secondary organs. Finding an agreeable female, he then grasps her by the neck or back of the head with his claspers. The insects can fly in this tandem position (see photo). They soon settle and then the female curves the tip of her abdomen round to collect the sperm from the male's secondary organ. This position is known as the "copulation wheel". When sperm transfer is complete, the insects may separate, but many species (Damselflies or the smaller Dragonflies) remain in the tandem position until the female has laid her eggs. These may be simply dropped into the water or washed off as the female dips her abdomen into it in flight. Some eggs are laid in silt, or placed in slits cut into plant stems.
The nymphs grow up in water. They eat a wide-range of aquatic creature, which they impale on an extension to their lower jaw - known as the mask.
When fully grown, the nymph crawls out of the water, usually climbing up a plant stem, and the adult soon emerges.

Empty skins are commonly found on the vegetatation beside ponds and streams in the summer.

Freshly emerged Dragonflies are very pale and are called Tenerals. The full colours do not develop for several days or even weeks, and it can take up to five years for the larger Dragonflies to complete their life cycle.
Amazing stuff. Dragonflies and Damselflies are beautiful insects. There are many types - but all are beautifully coloured - and present a lovely sight whilst walking beside most lakes, rivers and ponds in the warmer months.

Photograph by Bill Phillips

2009-03-12T15:32:00.001Z

First Hoverfly (Erisalis) of the year 'soaking' up the sunshine in Bill Phillips' front garden.

Bill said: "This attractive species is one of several related species that mimic bees (although they have no sting!). A single pair of membranous wings and minute antennae distinquish Hoverflies from bees (two pairs of wings and obvious antennae). Flight behaviour is also different.

Photograph by Bill Phillips

2009-03-12T15:12:00.002Z

Photograph by John Bentham

2009-02-27T10:55:00.001Z

Regular contributor to NatureWatch, Peter Berry, has been trying to see a Waxwing for many years.
He said: "Fantastic photo of a Waxwing by John Bentham. This winter visitor is rarely seen in the Midlands - normally only spotted along the east coast of England. This is on my ' Top 5' birds to see list - and I've been trying to see one for 40 years !"

Beetle of the Month by Bill Phillips

2009-02-27T10:18:00.014Z

WEEVILS

(MARCH)

Beetles (Coleoptera) belong to the largest order of insects and also the largest group of animals on our planet, with an estimated 350,000 species worldwide and about 4000 species found in Britain. Beetles display an astonishing variety of shape and colours and extraordinary specialisations in feeding and breeding. Beetles are recognised by their tough and horny fore wings modified to form wing cases or elytra, usually covering the entire abdomen. The second (hind) wings are membranous and protected beneath the elytra when the beetle is not flying – when a ladybird beetle next lands nearby, you may be able to see the fore wings being folded out of sight. Beetles have biting mouthparts – most are predators (carnivorous) or plant feeders (herbivorous), with some omnivorous species. Like Butterflies and Moths, beetles undergo a complete change (metamorphosis) during their life cycle, passing through several larval stages as they develop. The larvae and adults look quite different and often have different food sources.

Weevils
There are more species of weevils than of any other family of animals or plants on earth, with over 40,000 known species worldwide and about 570 species in Britain. The head is normally prolonged into a snout or rostrum whose tip bears the jaws, their elbowed antennae being attached some distance from the tip. Many have scales which either cover their whole body, concealing the dark ground colour or form spots of another colour. They feed on plant tissues and have legless larvae (grubs). Many species are pests.

Vine Weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
This weevil is commonly found in gardens where it can be a serious pest, with both the adult and larval stages causing damage to plants. The adult (photo 1) is 9 mm long, with a dull black ‘pear-shaped’ body and the antennae are bent at an angle about half-way along their length. They are nocturnal, slow-moving beetles that emerge during the night to feed, eating irregular notches from the leaf margins of many plants but especially rhododendrons (see photo 2 taken in the Outwoods), Euonymus japonica and hydrangea. Adults are found at anytime from spring to autumn. The larvae (up to 10 mm long) are plump, creamy-white, legless grubs with brown heads and slightly curved bodies. They live in the soil and feed on the roots of many plants, stunting growth, then causing the plant to wilt and die when insufficient functional roots remain. The Vine weevil has an unusual method of reproduction as almost all individuals are females which lay fertile eggs without mating (parthenogenetic species).

How to find this beetle:
Check garden shrubs for evidence of feeding damage to the leaf margins (photo 2). Place a white cloth beneath the shrub and then shake or tap with a stick. The best method is to go into the garden soon after dusk with a torch when the weevils can be seen feeding.

Green Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus) (Photo 3) This is another short-nosed species, which feeds openly, almost exclusively on the leaves of the common stinging nettle (photo 4). It is a common weevil seen on nettle patches in late spring and early summer, but is seldom found after July. It is the largest nettle weevil 7-9 mm long (there are several other smaller, less obvious species, less than 5 mm in length), with black legs beneath the scales (photo 3). Adults found later in the summer are quite often rubbed or worn, but when fresh the weevil is covered with bright green or greenish-golden scales providing effective camouflage on its host plant. After mating, the female weevil lays her eggs in the soil and the larvae feed on roots, presumably those of nettle, though it is difficult to observe!

How to find this beetle:
Make a careful examination of a nettle patch in a sunny, damp location e.g. the edges of a woodland or the banks of streams. Adults can be spotted on the leaves or stem and typically drop off the plant if they detect your presence! This weevil uses the typical animal method of reproduction; mating pairs can often be seen on nettle leaves in early summer.

Further information: Morris M.G. (1991) “Weevils” Naturalists’ Handbooks, 16 Richmond Publishing Co, Slough .

Top Tips From NatureWatch Contributor Peter Berry

2009-02-11T17:24:00.011Z

Any garden, large or small can be a welcome haven for birds – they just need a little encouragement. This usually takes the form of food!
Birds will take food from the ground, a bird table or hanging feed stations. However, certain types have preferences; e.g. blue tit/great tit, woodpeckers, greenfinches will always favour the peanuts and seed presented in feeders, whilst blackbirds, collar doves and song thrushes prefer ground feeding.
Wild bird food is available from most supermarkets and garden centres – and provides an excellent variety of seed and grain with which to entice birdlife. Particularly attractive to most finches and tits are sunflower hearts. Sometimes to attract a particular variety you need to specialize. Nyjer seeds (tiny black seeds) are irresistible to the beautiful Goldfinch. These seeds though require a special feeder, but it’s worth the extra expense to have these visitors to your garden.
Peanuts are rich in fat and are popular with tits, greenfinches, house sparrows, nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers and siskins. Crushed or grated nuts attract robins, dunnocks and even wrens. DO NOT use dry roasted or salted peanuts.
You don’t have to buy special food all the time. A search around your kitchen cupboards/pantry can be a readily available source of bird food. Mix together, any breakfast cereals, lentils, oats, partly cooked dry rice, raisens/sultanas, crushed biscuits, bits of apple and even cheese.
If you have one – half coconuts – threaded with string and hung upside down, will attract blue tits, great tits and coal tits, as will bacon rind and fat. Another great idea is to pour (cooled) left over gravy/meat fat into old yoghurt pots – and put in the freezer. Once solidified, these too can be hung out (upside down), they are extremely popular!
Water is also important to birds, so a bird bath is a nice feature to have. The simplest is a large dish. A plant saucer with a stone in the middle is the easiest.

Photograph by Peter Berry

2009-02-10T14:17:00.003Z

The Robin, Britain's 'National' Bird - By Peter Berry

They are resident to the UK, but are joined by paler northern European immigrants in the winter. Robins may live to be as much as 10 years old, but only a quarter of all robins manage to live beyond their first birthday. The greatest enemies of robins are domestic cats and traffic, which both take a heavy toll.
Robins pair up from late December to early March. The female chases the male until she is accepted and once paired the male feeds her as part of courtship. But in spring, males sing loudly to proclaim their territory.
When nesting, the male robin fiercely defends the territory. Fights between males can be extremely vicious and may even lead to death. However, during severe winters, robins relax their territorial nature and several birds can be seen feeding on a bird table together.
Nests are usually concealed in a bank or hole, but they can build in usual sites like garden sheds and old tin cans. Nests are made of leaves and moss; they are domed and lined with hair. They lay five to seven eggs, that are white with reddish brown spots.
They feeds on insects, worms, fruit and seeds. Particularly fond of mealworms and can become hand tame if fed with these. Often seen perching very close if you are digging in the garden!
Male and female robins look the same; young robins are spotted and have no red breast. They moult into adult plumage in autumn. As they undergo their post breeding moult, they seem to disappear during the late summer, becoming very shy and silent.
A lovely bird and quite rightly often refereed to as Britain’s ‘national’ bird.

Photograph by Gerhard H Lehner

2008-12-17T21:53:00.002Z

Photograph by Angela Taylor

2008-12-10T17:20:00.004Z

Photograph by Bill Phillips

2008-12-10T12:34:00.000Z

Photograph by Peter Berry

2008-12-10T11:20:00.000Z

Photograph by Lydia Boston

2008-12-10T11:15:00.000Z

Photograph by Ivor Brown

2008-12-10T11:00:00.000Z

Photograph by Peter Berry

2008-12-02T16:29:00.004Z

Photograph by Bill Phillips

2008-12-02T16:25:00.000Z

Photograph by Ivana Holloway

2008-12-02T16:24:00.000Z

Photograph by Lorraine Ellison

2008-12-02T16:23:00.000Z

Photograph by Ivana Holloway

2008-12-02T16:21:00.000Z

Photograph by Ted Bartlem

2008-12-02T16:19:00.001Z

Photograph by Roger Jones

2008-12-02T16:18:00.000Z

Photograph by Peter Berry

2008-12-02T16:16:00.000Z

Photograph by Angela Taylor

2008-12-02T16:14:00.000Z

Photograph by Roger Jones

2008-11-22T11:48:00.001Z

Photograph by Colin Barsby

2008-11-22T11:47:00.000Z

Photograph by Chris Walker of Shepshed

2008-11-22T11:46:00.000Z

Photograph by Rosemary Marshall

2008-11-22T11:45:00.001Z

Photograph by Bill Phillips

2008-11-22T11:43:00.002Z

Photograph by Peter Berry

2008-11-22T11:40:00.001Z

Photograph by Bill Phillips

2008-11-22T11:37:00.001Z

Photograph by Ivana Holloway

2008-11-10T12:07:00.000Z

Photograph by Chris Walker of Shepshed

2008-10-21T23:40:00.000+01:00

Photograph by Chris Walker of Shepshed

2008-10-17T10:07:00.001+01:00

Photograph by Chris Walker of Shepshed

2008-09-18T17:50:00.002+01:00