Bugs and creepy crawlies

Various flying insects have been on the wing recently but some have been easier to photograph than others.

The St Mark's fly, named after the saints's day on 25th April, when it generally takes to the wing, have been seen in large numbers recently, especially in the shady areas along Greenway. They are black and fly with their legs dangling, so are quite distinctive.
You will need to click on this to zoom in on this picture to try and see them though!


















Various damselflies have also been emerging recently, such as the large red damselfly (left) and, what I believe is a blue-tailed damselfly. 
The difference between these and dragonflies is that their wings are closed at rest whereas the dragonfly's wings are open when at rest.

One or two other interesting insects that I have seen recently included this Orange striped stonefly. (Thanks to my friend Colin who identified it for me!). Its wings have a beautiful pattern and I don't ever recall seing one before. Apparently they are widespread in the SW and like to breed near fast flowing streams.

Not so great to have seen as it is a non native invasive pest, is this red lily beetle. It devours lily leaves and stems and I saw this one on the Stonydown footpath, so if you have lilies in your gardens watch out!













I'll end this post on a spider. I think it is a woodlouse spider and this chap was actually in our house but I evicted it as it is one of the few british spiders that will give you a nasty nip! .