I've carried out a long-awaited reorganization of the Hymenoptera section of the Species Index.
Dull with prolonged rain.
This is the
mine of the Agromyzid fly Agromyza idaeina. I've been researching
leaf-miners in the past few days, and a couple of interesting features
have come to light. Some mines (as in this case) change from an initial
corridor which then converts to a blotch.
1) The change from corridor to blotch always coincides with a moult (shedding of skin).
2) The conversion from corridor to blotch usually involves a turn through 180 degrees.
It's almost as if the corridor is a positioning device to make sure the blotch has the best possible opportunity for expansion. I think I might put up a large page during the winter showing all the different types of mine, and giving tips for separating the mines of flies, sawflies, moths and beetles.
Two grassland fungi - Psilocybe semilanceata (left) and Stropharia pseudocyenae (right).
This Badger print didn't turn out too well.