Alexanders

On our drive back inland from Skomer, we stopped to investigate the Alexanders Smyrnium olusatrum that seem to line all of the roads in this part of Pembrokeshire. Theye were alive with insects on a beautiful sunny afternoon, and I spent some time photographing and identifying all the insects I could find.

Alexanders Smyrnium olusatrum

There were St Mark's Fly Bibio marci everywhere. There name obviously comes from their emergence around the 25 April, and two weeks later there were plenty in evidence.

St Mark's Fly Bibio marci

We also picked up a Noon Fly Mesembrina meridiana, a distinctive jet black fly with orangey-gold bases to the wings and feet.

Noon Fly Mesembrina meridiana

I also spotted this lovely hoverfly and managed to get a picture. This is Leucozona lucorum, a new species for me, with a distinctive pattern to the abdomen and wings, looking like someone has drawn on it with a black marker pen.

Leucozona lucorum

Delving into the base of the vegetation we found a few frisky Bloody-nosed Beetle Timarcha tenebricosa. This species produces a red substance from its face when it is challenged, giving it the rather interesting name.

Bloody-nosed Beetle Timarcha tenebricosa

Finally there were many Yellow Dung Flies Scathophaga stercoraria, a very common species but quite a good looking one. This is a carnivorous fly, catching smaller insects. it lays its eggs in cowpats, hence the name.

Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria