Cloudy with occasional light showers.
This is the mine of the micromoth Stigmella hemargyrella on Beech.
The fungal season continues apace. These Lycoperdon perlatum specimens ahve already been eaten by molluscs.
Two woodland flowering plants: Enchanters Nightshade (left) and Wood Sage (right).
Another Syrphus sp.? Nope...this is Epistrophe grossulariae. The foremost yellow stripes are angular and trapezium-shaped, rather than oval. The (normally difficult to detect) pair of greyish stripes at the front of the thorax can also be seen. The beast has an overall 'golden' jizz to it as well.
Common Valerian is already past its best.
Oak is the unique host to over 350 different organisms. Here are five of them:
Artichoke Gall - Andricus fecundator - with the white mildew - Microsphaera alphitoides - (left) and Oak Marble gall - Andricus kollari (right).
Oak Spangle galls (early and late states, respectively). Neuroterus quercus-baccarum.
Lastly, the mine of an Oak Sawfly - Profenusa pygmaea.
Most of the flies I've seen killed by the Entomophthora muscae fungus are smaller hoverflies and dung-flies. This is the first of the larger Calliphoridae that I've seen infected. Note that the wings are held in the usual open position to facilitate spore dispersal. The fly is quite dead.
