Syromastus rhombeus

Another new squash bug at the lodge (try to stay calm!) Usually associated with coastal habitats but increasingly found inland in scrubby habitats.

Platyrhinus resinosus

This nationally notable B weevil was sitting on the office window today at The Lodge.
Also a rather fine minotaur beetle on the path up by the hill fort

Half a dragonfly?

I came across this bizarre sight by one of the ponds at The Lodge last week. It took me a few seconds to realise that this darter had been pulled into a hole by something (a wasp?). As you can see by the second 'action' shot, he wasn't too happy about it!

Purple hairstreak

I was really lucky to find this purple hairstreak sitting calmly on a bramble at The Lodge this Sunday.

Four wings and a funeral

Came across these peacock remains yesterday at The Lodge. I think it might be the result of a hornet giving it a bit of a 'trim'.

new finds at the lodge

Some new finds for me yesterday at the lodge


Stictoleptura rubra female

Short-winged Conehead

A bizarre looking froghopper Ditropis pteridis, feeds on bracken so must be pretty common around here

Ruddy Darter

A rather splendid looking male posed nicely for me down on the heath pond yesterday at the lodge. As usual click on the image to see a larger version.

Birds do it, bees do it...

A Bombus terrestris couple. Nuff said.

Small copper - caeruleopunctata form?

This small copper was up at the hill fort at The Lodge. Looking closer at him, I noticed a few blue scales on the hind wing (just about visible on the close up), which you find on the caeruleopunctata form (or so I read!).

Some more butterflies...

A couple of gatekeepers, a ringlet and a marbled white. All taken along the path between The Lodge and Biggleswade Common.

Common Darter

This was down on the heath at the lodge yesterday, first I've seen this year.

Dragons and damsels at The Lodge

Small Red-eyed Damselfly, my first of the year


Female Broad-bodied Chaser


Female Emperor laying eggs


Four-spotted Chaser

Bumbles at the Lodge

Nice selection of Bumblebees at the lodge the other day
Bombus pratorum sharing a flower with a longhorn (Rutpela maculata)

Several B.hypnorum workers out on bramble flowers

and what I'm pretty sure is a B.sylvestris male, a cuckoo of B.pratorum

Broad-bodied Chaser at The Lodge

Painted Lady at The Lodge

Painted Lady on Rosemary at The Lodge today - part of a huge movement of these butterflies over the weekend

Green tiger beetle conga line

I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this rare phenomenon - the beginnings of a green tiger beetle conga line. Fascinating!

Wasp Beetle and Ichneumon

Both down by Jack's Pond at the lodge yesterday, any help with the ID of the Ichneumon gratefully received!

Soldier and cardinal beetles

A soldier beetle (Cantharis rustica - top and bottom) and a red-headed cardinal beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis - middle) hanging around the bramble and nettles at The Lodge yesterday.

Scarce Chaser at The Lodge

First-ever record for the reserve, found in the flowerbed at the rear of the house

Miris striatus

Funky looking bug at the lodge yesterday, the nymph is surprisingly distinctive as well