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| Sheltered clearing (SS78199948) |
I found a very impressive area today next to the Neath canal near the Aberdulais Basin. Having already seen a Black-and-yellow Longhorn before I reached this area I thought the density of umbellifers here would be worth a closer look. Longhorns like the flat inflorescences which provide easier areas to land and take-off. Those landing platforms in this case provided by Hemlock Water-dropwort (
Oenanthe crocata).
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| Black-and-yellow Longhorn Beetle (Rutpela maculata) |
At least 6 Black-and-yellow Longhorns (5+ in this clearing) were the most numerous species noted.
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| Speckled Longhorn Beetle (Pachytodes cerambyciformis) |
I was amazed to find 2 further species of Longhorn also in this clearing. 2 Speckled Longhorns and 1 Black-spotted Longhorn completed the tally.
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| Black-spotted Longhorn Beetle (Rhagium mordax) |
All 3 species have widespread distributions in Wales in or near to wooded areas.
Also seen today a Beautiful Demoiselle (
Calopteryx virgo) near the carpark area at Aberdulais Basin. Photo of this can be found following the link below
Dragonfly Blog
2 comments:
Great series of captures Mark. Speckled Longhorn is pretty scarce in the west here I believe and quite a nice plant record too!
Thanks Barry. I was like a kid in a sweetshop. You may have noticed that for a while the umbellifer was identified as Hemlock. A very nice record indeed, unfortunately completely wrong!
I think the saying goes "close but no cigar!"
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