March 21

21st March

Original Hedgerow, legs 1 and 2.

Dull and cold. Attempt to snow.

Some leaves of Lesser Celandine are showing the common infection with Uromyces dactylidis - a fungal rust. Top (left) and underside (right).

However, nothing is that simple. As I was taking the above images I noticed a tiny (3mm) 'fly' that appeared to be feeding on the fungus. After I took a couple of macro shots, I was astonished to find that I was looking at a minute parasitic wasp:

Note the dark 'blotches' - stigma - on the outside of the wing - a diagnostic 'Ichneumon' feature.

I this last picture you can see her tiny ovipositor, or egg-laying tube. The question is why is she eating fungus? Nectar would be better for energy. Maybe to build up protein for egg production?

I noticed some holes in the stems of last year's Reedmace - Typha latifolia. I investigated further and found an empty larval case. It looks about the right size and shape for a moth - Bulrush Wainscot comes to mind, so I'll return later in the year and see if I can find some larvae.

Hole about 6mm diameter: exuvia about 3 cm. long. The stem is shown with the top to the left, so the pupa was head-down - the opposite of what I'd expect. Still, I suppose turning-round is difficult inside a tube.