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David

Golden flies on a muddy pond bank

Golden flies on a muddy pond bank

These flies (species unidentified) had gathered in some numbers on the damp clay margin of a pond in the Barrow Hill LNR, Pensnett.

Golden flies on a muddy pond bank

Golden flies on a muddy pond bank

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David

Harlequin ladybird larva on a nettle leaf

Harlequin ladybird larva on a nettle leaf

The young of a harlequin ladybird.

These insects are the fastest spreading non-native species in Europe and the most invasive ladybird in the world. It is reckoned to threaten the survival of 1,000 native insect species.

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David

Two spot ladybird

Two spot ladybird

This tiny ladybird resting on a wild rose bush lives up to its name with just one spot one each wing.

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David

Blue damsel flies

Damsel fly resting on a nettle leaf

The insect resting on the nettle leaf (above) may be a blue-tailed damsel fly.

Damsel fly resting on a dock leaf

The one on the dock leaf and the one flying through reeds were both at the same pool. They are common blue damsel flies.

Damsel fly flying through reeds

All three were pictured on the same mid-June day in the Buckpool LNR, Wordsley.

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David

Tall cow parsley flowering

Tall Cow Parsley Flowering

Cow parsley and related umbellifers are characteristic plants which colonise uncultivated land.

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David

Ringlet butterfly

Ringlet butterfly

Another species which is supposed to be relatively common, but which I don’t remember ever having noticed before.

Ringlet butterfly