14 Oct 22 - Fly Agaric

My Fungi knowledge is very limited, but Fly Agaric is one of the few distinctive Fungi species that I know. Although they look superb, it is best not to touch them given they are a poisonous species: albeit they are apparently unlikely to be fatal.

Parasol Mushroom: This is what they look like before the parasol is spread. Studland (4 Oct 10)

14 Oct 22 - Parasol Mushrooms

Late Autumn is a good time to find the large, distinctive Parasol Mushrooms around the Studland area.

Parasol Mushroom: This is what they look like before the parasol is spread. Studland (4 Oct 10)

Parasol Mushroom: With the parasol spread

14 Oct 22 - Pale Tussock

I found this gorgeous caterpillar on the walk up to Durlston this morning. A check in the field guide confirmed it was a Pale Tussock. This is a fairly widespread Moth in Dorset. I've seen a few adults when I've run my moth trap in the Dorset garden, but this is the first time I've seen a caterpillar.

Pale Tussock Caterpillar

This is what it will look like when it grows up, depending on what sex it is.

Pale Tussock: Male. Swanage (10 Jun 10)

Pale Tussock: Female. Swanage (12 Jun 10)

Pale Tussock: Female. Swanage (4 Jul 10)

7 Sep 22 - Brownsea Hornet Hoverflies

During a lunch break at the DWT Brownsea Villa, I had the chance to photograph some of the Hornet Hoverflies feeding around the Ivy. They are one of the more distinctive Hoverflies with their large size and distinctive orange patch on their head.

Hornet Hoverfly

Hornet Hoverfly

7 Sep 22 - Brownsea Hornets

During a lunch break at the DWT Brownsea Villa, I had the chance to photograph some of the Hornets feeding around the Ivy. I do enjoy seeing them. Given there were several present, there must be a nearby colony.

Hornet

Hornet

10 Sep 22 - Locust Blowfly

After a morning's Birding at St Aldhelms with Phil Saunders, Phil started looking at Invertebrates while I spent a bit more time looking around Quarry Ledge. I rejoined Phil to find he had found a vagrant Locust Blowfly. This is a rare migrant as apparently it needs to find a Locust to predate in its breeding cycle and our native Grasshoppers are not a good substitute. Rare, but to be honest, underwhelming.

Locust Blowfly: The black & grey stripes on the body are one of the key ID features

Locust Blowfly

Locust Blowfly

10 Sep 22 - Tawny Cockroach

After a morning's Birding at St Aldhelms with Phil Saunders, Phil started looking at Invertebrates while I spent a bit more time looking around Quarry Ledge. I rejoined Phil to find he had found one of our native Cockroaches: Tawny Cockroach.

Tawny Cockroach

Tawny Cockroach