Many thanks for your record, it has been received. As you guessed, all records are vetted before being accepted, mainly to check the reliability of the identification. Obviously this is made easier if there is an image. You didn't submit one so I guess this isn't available? We are very happy to receive older records - there is no time limit.
I got a bit curious about this one, and decided to ask a local expert. His answer is shown below, and provides a probable answer to your question. I have added some of this information to the species page.
The larvae of Anthocomus are predatory on the larvae of wood-boring beetles, so I guess it would not be unusual to see the adults hanging around the holes, perhaps looking for suitable places to lay eggs, though they are obviously not responsible for the holes. I usually find A. fasciatus by sweeping long grass under trees.
I have to agree with Dave Nicholls on this. You will see from the images on the species page that I recorded Anthocomus Fasciatus back in May 2011, and it was found on my garage window sill where a lot os tiny flies and gnats had accumulated. I think your beetles would probably have been foraging amongst the small insects that accumulate in such places.
I don't think this is a wood-boring beetle (but I'm not sure). Many insects including beetles are attracted to lighted windows so could this be it? Anthocomus fasciatus is a predator of smaller creatures so it could also have been attracted to flies, gnats, etc that were themselves drawn to the window.
your Quercus developing acorns, would appear to be those of Q. robur; Q. petraea acorns are held tightly to the leaf axil, often in clusters. You may have a hybrid in which case the description tennds to become very variable
It looks like you've picked up a duplication error in our descriptions - thanks for spotting it and we'll get it corrected. An easy way to tell them apart is that Sun Spurge has toothed leaves (the only UK spurge to have these) and Petty Spurge leaves are untoothed. In practice they are easy to tell apart without looking too hard. Sun Spurge is larger and has saucer shaped (sun-shaped?) flowers. It also tends to be more yellowy green, particularly when young. Petty Spurge is more spindly and has less showy flowers.
This is a feature on our wish list as I totally agree it would be really useful to show the family on the species page. As with many of the improvements we want to make we have to raise the funds first but I'm sure it won't be too long before we add this taxonomy link.
Thanks for your comments - its great to know it's appreciated as it has all been created by volunteers.
This is the Violet Ground Beetle - Carabus violaceus. It is a new species for NatureSpot so we'll create a page for it and rename your record. Good find!
There was only a single Bee Orchid on the site that I could find. It was still there the following year when I went there with Steve Woodward and Helen Ikin.
Have you been over to the site yourself? - I imagine the Common Spots (or whatever!) are coming out about now. I'm no Orchid expert - it would be nice to have a real expert check them out.
I saw a few excellent close-up spider shots taken with this camera together with a comment about how great the macro quality was. Reviews sound pretty positive too and its not that expensive - £130 on Amazon. Has anyone got this camera and can give a view?
Thank you; of course it would be called a Mint Moth as it invades my Catmint. I missed the photograph in the gallery as you pointed out. Sorry about that.
I will E-mail separatly about the photograph problems.
Your moth is the Mint Moth, Pyrausta aurata. You can see and read more on the page below. I think you missed the photo on the moth page - though there are a lot to go through!
I'm confused by your description of the problems you experienced trying to upload a photo to NatureSpot. There is no reference to Image Properties and URLs on our form, it really is quite simple. After entering the date, site name and a grid ref (by clicking on the map) you just go to the 'What Did You See tab and start typing your species. This will bring up the drop down menu and you choose the right species. You will then see Add Images appear at the end of the row. Click on this and then the Select File button that appears to find and select your image on your computer. Click SAVE and that's it.
A small moth (butterfly) that frequents my cat-mint in fair numbers. About 10 mm length and wing-span. Brownish-red with a yellow spot on the distal part of the forewing. I cannot find a photograph.
As before, my photographs are posted on Photobucket with the same ID.
I am not good with IT. At the bottom of this page it says "SAVE"; it took a lot of thought before I realised that I was not 'SEND'ing an E-mail, but 'SAVE'ing it to the current website.
Saving photographs to the website defeats me. It is called Image Properties and asks for a URL. I do not have a URL ( Photobucket has links, but they are called Direct Link and HTML Link). Likewise the rest of the boxes in Image Properties mean nothing to me. It really does need simplifying for idiots like me.
I've looked at your online photos and as you thought it is the Common Bee Fly, Bombylius major. You are right about photos not showing the scale. We do often put a size in the description but haven't (yet) for Bee Fly.
I would appreciate feedback on the difficulties you experienced with the form as it is fairly new and we are trying to learn how to make it simpler. If you prefer, contact me on info@naturespot.org.uk
Hi Jes,
Many thanks for your record, it has been received. As you guessed, all records are vetted before being accepted, mainly to check the reliability of the identification. Obviously this is made easier if there is an image. You didn't submit one so I guess this isn't available? We are very happy to receive older records - there is no time limit.
Dave
Hi
I got a bit curious about this one, and decided to ask a local expert. His answer is shown below, and provides a probable answer to your question. I have added some of this information to the species page.
The larvae of Anthocomus are predatory on the larvae of wood-boring beetles, so I guess it would not be unusual to see the adults hanging around the holes, perhaps looking for suitable places to lay eggs, though they are obviously not responsible for the holes. I usually find A. fasciatus by sweeping long grass under trees.
Hi
I have to agree with Dave Nicholls on this. You will see from the images on the species page that I recorded Anthocomus Fasciatus back in May 2011, and it was found on my garage window sill where a lot os tiny flies and gnats had accumulated. I think your beetles would probably have been foraging amongst the small insects that accumulate in such places.
I don't think this is a wood-boring beetle (but I'm not sure). Many insects including beetles are attracted to lighted windows so could this be it? Anthocomus fasciatus is a predator of smaller creatures so it could also have been attracted to flies, gnats, etc that were themselves drawn to the window.
your Quercus developing acorns, would appear to be those of Q. robur; Q. petraea acorns are held tightly to the leaf axil, often in clusters. You may have a hybrid in which case the description tennds to become very variable
NatureSpot have now been able to get expert confirmation that this is indeed Cimbex Connatus and the picture has been added to our sawfly pages.
Hi Peter,
It looks like you've picked up a duplication error in our descriptions - thanks for spotting it and we'll get it corrected. An easy way to tell them apart is that Sun Spurge has toothed leaves (the only UK spurge to have these) and Petty Spurge leaves are untoothed. In practice they are easy to tell apart without looking too hard. Sun Spurge is larger and has saucer shaped (sun-shaped?) flowers. It also tends to be more yellowy green, particularly when young. Petty Spurge is more spindly and has less showy flowers.
Dave
I am only adding this for the species list for the county, it was just a record shot for myself !!!
Hi Peter,
This is a feature on our wish list as I totally agree it would be really useful to show the family on the species page. As with many of the improvements we want to make we have to raise the funds first but I'm sure it won't be too long before we add this taxonomy link.
Thanks for your comments - its great to know it's appreciated as it has all been created by volunteers.
This is the Violet Ground Beetle - Carabus violaceus. It is a new species for NatureSpot so we'll create a page for it and rename your record. Good find!
I think theres one of these (or similar) in the background of my Pammene aurana picture too.
Nice record Steve - thanks for uploading it.
This is Common Mouse-ear
This is a nice find of the attractive barkfly Loensia fasciata.
http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/loensia-fasciata
Hi Dave
There was only a single Bee Orchid on the site that I could find. It was still there the following year when I went there with Steve Woodward and Helen Ikin.
Have you been over to the site yourself? - I imagine the Common Spots (or whatever!) are coming out about now. I'm no Orchid expert - it would be nice to have a real expert check them out.
Graham
I saw a few excellent close-up spider shots taken with this camera together with a comment about how great the macro quality was. Reviews sound pretty positive too and its not that expensive - £130 on Amazon. Has anyone got this camera and can give a view?
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/panasonic_lumix_dmc_fs33_review/conclusion/
Nice find. I'm yet to see this one.
some great images Mark what sort of camera are you using?
Glad you made it onto the site Dick, great pictures. Our own website will be up in a few days so keep the reports going Ron
Dear David,
Thank you; of course it would be called a Mint Moth as it invades my Catmint. I missed the photograph in the gallery as you pointed out. Sorry about that.
I will E-mail separatly about the photograph problems.
Michael Chamberlain.
Hi Michael,
Your moth is the Mint Moth, Pyrausta aurata. You can see and read more on the page below. I think you missed the photo on the moth page - though there are a lot to go through!
http://www.naturespot.org.uk/~nature50/species/pyrausta-aurata
I'm confused by your description of the problems you experienced trying to upload a photo to NatureSpot. There is no reference to Image Properties and URLs on our form, it really is quite simple. After entering the date, site name and a grid ref (by clicking on the map) you just go to the 'What Did You See tab and start typing your species. This will bring up the drop down menu and you choose the right species. You will then see Add Images appear at the end of the row. Click on this and then the Select File button that appears to find and select your image on your computer. Click SAVE and that's it.
Best wishes,
Dave
Dear Dave,
A small moth (butterfly) that frequents my cat-mint in fair numbers. About 10 mm length and wing-span. Brownish-red with a yellow spot on the distal part of the forewing. I cannot find a photograph.
As before, my photographs are posted on Photobucket with the same ID.
I am not good with IT. At the bottom of this page it says "SAVE"; it took a lot of thought before I realised that I was not 'SEND'ing an E-mail, but 'SAVE'ing it to the current website.
Saving photographs to the website defeats me. It is called Image Properties and asks for a URL. I do not have a URL ( Photobucket has links, but they are called Direct Link and HTML Link). Likewise the rest of the boxes in Image Properties mean nothing to me. It really does need simplifying for idiots like me.
Michael Chamberlain.
Great picture Clive!
Hi Michael,
I've looked at your online photos and as you thought it is the Common Bee Fly, Bombylius major. You are right about photos not showing the scale. We do often put a size in the description but haven't (yet) for Bee Fly.
I would appreciate feedback on the difficulties you experienced with the form as it is fairly new and we are trying to learn how to make it simpler. If you prefer, contact me on info@naturespot.org.uk
Regards,
Dave
Thank you Dave, it certainly fits the photographs on this website. I tried to send photographs, but failed . I have posted x3 on this website.
http://s1189.photobucket.com/albums/z430/MNChamberlain/
I had never heard of them, and find them quite fascinating.
As a passing comment; photographs never give a scale or quote dimensions of the subject. It would be helpful.
Michael.