Sunday 11 March 2012







  
I'm fascinated by insects and love photographing, or at least attempting to photograph them. But it’s always a challenge, especially in Scotland.

First of all, you need to find the insect in the first place.  And being Scotland it is invariably windy and rainy which means that the insects are usually cowering under a leaf somewhere rather than preening themselves in full view on top of a leaf in the sunshine.


Then, once you’ve actually managed to find one, you have to be able to stick your camera as close to it as possible whilst the leaf is blowing wildly in the wind and before the insect jumps, flies, burrows, scuttles or hides away - or before it simply takes fright and plays plain dead!

Please note that all photos were taken “au natural” and no insect was injured in the process. Unlike some photographers, I don’t feel the need to get the ideal shot by sticking a pin through them, beating bushes or setting traps to gather them, or as I’ve seen suggested, sticking them in the fridge to make them more “docile” – tempting though it may be.

Here is a collection of the insects I have managed to snap with a short ditti of “interesting” information to go with each. Hopefully, this will help you to identify a Scottish insect.

I know that identifying a species for certain often can't be done without dissecting the poor beast or examining it under a microscope. Some of my identifications will therefore be less than certain.  As a very amateur entomologist and an even more amateur photographer, all tips, changes, thoughts and comments are very welcome and I will be happy to make any necessary corrections.



I hope you enjoy this site!!




How To Blog Me

1. Click on the '[number] comments' prompt above the word 'Home' lower down this page.
2. Scroll up until you see a white box.
3. Type your comments/queries/observations into this box.
4. Click on the drop down arrow beside 'Select profile...'.
5. Select 'Anonymous' or log into the appropriate profile.
6. Click 'Publish' and come back soon to see my reply.

Please note that because I get a lot of spam messages from various outfits offering pest control(!), I moderate the messages I receive. However, I always publish and respond to all genuine messages, so please be a little patient - I'll respond to you as quickly as I can!



Recent Finds



Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)





















                              


Whilst the internet in general has helped me identify many of these insects, my main sources of information are and have been the following (although please note, they can take no responsibility for any incorrect information or identifications on this website): 
http://www.ispotnature.org;
http://www.naturespot.org.uk;
Colins Complete Guide to British Insects by Michael Chinery;
Field Guid to Insects of Britain and Northern Europe by Bob Gibbons;
Britain's Plant Galls by Michael Chinery;
Britain's Hoverflies by Stuart Ball and Roger Morris.


A brief guide to identifying Scottish insects colloquially known as 'bugs'. Photographs of all the insects are included to aid identification of the various species and brief information has been included about the insects, their habitat, eating habits and distinctive features. Almost all Scottish insects also live throughout Britain but many British insects only live in England. This website is dedicated to Scottish insects only although it will be a useful guide which will apply to most of the UK. Many people call insects bugs but bugs are in fact a subset of insects, which is why they are often referred to as true bugs. 

If you like small things like insects, you might like really small things like particle physics. For an amazingly easy and simple explanation of particle physics please visit 
www.easyparticles.com





97 comments:

  1. Brilliant site!
    Love it!
    Can you name a turquoise insect with yellow spots?
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks for your nice comments about my site! I think the insect you are looking for is a Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris). It's a beautiful beetle, but unfortunately I haven't found one yet, so I don't have a picture of it on my site.

      Delete
  2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I see that you have edited the 'B. lucorum' pic to E. intricarius, and have asked for more advice.

    I run the HBRG taxon database, and though you are outside our strict area I take records from Argyll and indeed elsewhere.

    If you are able to provide details (date, place, grid ref) for the insects, some of the records will be very useful, as long as you are happy to have them included in the NBN Gateway sets. You can see more info at www.hbrg.org.uk, the link to 'Taxon database'.

    Correcting the IDs you have already posted is a major task, but I would be happy to do some of that for groups I know when I am at a loose end.

    You can contact me if you wish at records@hbrg.org.uk.

    Regards,

    Murdo Macdonald

    ReplyDelete
  4. HI, Can you help me identify a fly/wasp?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi, Its flying into a small hole under window cill carrying part of a leaf, it deposits part of leaf into hole, then flys out to get more and continues this. What is it? It looks a little bit like wasp? But only one of them. I am in glasgow, is this typical of such thing in glasgow? Thanks. natkaz19@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Many thanks for your post which has really made me think! Whilst there are some solitary digger wasps, these tend to nest in the ground and stock their nest with paralysed insects. So I think the insect you saw is more likely to be a leaf-cutter bee (which look quite wasp-like) as these are also solitary and cut semi-circles out of leaves which they take back to their nests for their larvae. Leaf-cutter bees can be found throughout the UK and often nest in holes in wood, so this would fit with your insect flying into a hole under a window sill.

    Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of leaf-cutter bees, but you'll find plenty of examples if you Google it. Please let me know if you think this might be it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi, I have an enquiry about spiders. I just went to put some washing out and there is a little black one on my washing line and there is a cluster of little things moving around a small part of the line but they look like little caterpillars. They are minute Do you know if are they baby spiders, I don't want to kill a whole family of them if it is.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for your post. Don't suppose you're able to send me a photo of the things you've found? I don't know very much about spiders, but I think baby spiders look like tiny spiders rather than caterpillars. The caterpillar-like things could be insect larvae of some sort. Hopefully they'll go elsewhere on their own and you'll not have to kill them, but you probably don't want them laying eggs on your clothes. Might best to dispose of the washing line if they're still there after a few days.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for your reply. My washing was ok. Its a rotary dryer so kept washing away from it. I did try to take a photo on my phone but it wasn't clear. It is quite wet today but if they are still there, I will ask my husband to take a picture with his camera which has a good zoom on it and try and send it to you

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks again - it is very difficult to get clear photos when the things are so tiny - but it's good fun trying! If the camera has a macro setting, it would worth trying that. If your husband manages to get a good shot, I'd love to see it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I was wondering if you could help IV been having problems with my drains and since then my house has been infected with these insects that are like midges they come in fly about and die

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to hear about your problem. I'm no expert on how to deal with this sort of thing - I suggest that you should seek professional help from the likes of Rentokil. If you want me to try to help to identify these insects

      Delete
  12. please send me a photo. Thanks and good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  13. hya could you possibly give me an email contact addy, as i would like your advice.

    sincere thanks in advance
    my email is
    fyodor48@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I tried to email you, but I got a failure message I'm afraid. Is this email address the right one? Many thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi
    Lovely site & pics, full of general info - well done insectsofscotland! I am a ML teacher working on a "Creepy-Crawlies Project" for very young Primary School kids ( P1-2 ) trying to teach them the names of various insects in French etc ... This is fun for me as well, and I would like to request your permission to use some of your images ( of lacewings in particular. )
    If I can, I will be more than happy to credit/ recommend your Website for the pics, as I believe it is fun and of educational value.
    Thanks in advance, and keep enjoying your entomological studies!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you very much for your very kind comments. I am happy for you to use any of my images. Thank you also for offering to credit my Website and I would appreciate it if you were to do that . Hope you and the kids have lots of fun - I wouldn't have a clue what any of the names are in French - they must be clever kids!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi - I have just been walking down the Clyde Valley near Crossford and saw swarms and swarms of insects flying up the river. There were untold numbers of them and four hours later there were still thousands swarming up-river. They looked like mayflies but a local fisherman said they were granham (?). I can't find anything with that name and wonder if you have any idea what they might be?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your post. Unfortunately I'm completely baffled. What you have described does sound like a swarm of mayflies. I have looked up all my books on insects and can't find anything called grahams. It's perhaps a local name for them. The only other insects that I know swarm like this are midges and they're much smaller than mayflies. Sorry I can't help out on this one, but if you find out, please let me know.

      Delete
  18. Hi there - Jsr seen what I can only discribe as a hairy red and black flying insect! I was just now in the highlands of Scotland ;), just hovering around
    My stone dyke wall - never seen anything like this, unfortunately didn't get a photo-bright red 'fur' though, any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks for this. Unfortunately, I'm a bit stumped by what you saw, though it sounds quite exiting as I don't remember ever seeing anything like that. The only thing I can find matching your description is a soldier beetle called Trichodes Alvearius. It's red and black and hairy, but you don't find them in Scotland, only in central and southern Europe as far as I'm aware, although sometimes insects you wouldn't expect to find in the UK do start creeping in. I'm up in the highlands quite a lot, so if I ever come across anything like this, I'll let you know. And again, if you do manage to find out what it was, please let me know.

      Delete
  19. Also love your page :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. Very kind of you to say so :-)

      Delete
  20. Hi I found a few lovely looking bugs whilst trying out my new camera. I'm from Central Scotland and I found these all alongside the fields while taking my dog a walk,I've attached image links of each of them! :) Red and Black beetle bug-http://imgur.com/LZBNVAX
    Bright orange fly-http://imgur.com/JNksKs4
    Pretty speckled winged bug-http://imgur.com/wxg5o9j
    Also,your images are gorgeous! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brilliant photos - especially if you've never used that camera before! Absolutely love them. So, I think your first photo is a soldier beetle called Cantharis pellucid. You'll find my attempt under 'beetles' but you've got a far better photo of it than I have. Your second photo I think is a female scorpion fly. I love scorpion flies and there are a few around just now. Worth trying to find a male one as it has a scorpion like 'sting' at the end of its abdomen which is actually its genitalia and not a sting at all (see under 'lacewings/scorpion flies'). Not sure what your last one is. There are quite a few species of little orange flies and they're hard to tell apart. Thanks so much for sending me your photos and well done in getting such great shots. Thanks too for your very kind comments. Looks like you're going to have a lot of fun with your new camera. Please send any other photos you get - I'm always interested to see what's out there at this time of year.

      Delete
    2. Thank you! Very nice to hear that because I don't have much experience with using DSLR cameras. Thanks for the help and I will send you more if I get some! :)

      Delete
    3. Great - look forward to seeing them....!

      Delete
  21. Hi, please help me identify this creature, is it a Bee, a Fly a Wasp? The other day I saw one in the garden, I was astounded to see it enter what appeared to be a Wasp's house. There's constant coming & going from a wall cavity grid tile type thing in my house external wall by what appear to be small wasps, then I watched this creature enter through the grid. This is a pic of a dead one I found coincidently in my house the next day. I put the pic on The Twitter, hope you can see it OK. Great website x https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BtbPqcgCcAALdpg.jpg:large

    ReplyDelete
  22. Many thanks for this - it's a fantastically sharp photo you've managed to get - even if it is dead! I think this may be a hoverfly - Volucella pellucens. Have a look on my hoverflies page which has one of these on it. Do you agree? It is a stunning creature so thanks for sending me your photo.

    PS I'm pleased you like my site - please send me any other interesting photos you manage to take.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi. I wonder if you have any idea what this is. I found it on my front door in Thurso. It's probably very common, but I've never seen one before. Thanks.
    https://plus.google.com/108117902646050445262/posts/7yBPCQ4HLcT

    ReplyDelete
  24. Many thanks for sending this. Your pictures are very sharp. All I can say is that it looks like some sort of moth to me. I'm afraid I don't have any particular knowledge about moths or butterflies as there are already so many sites and books that deal with this, that I have never studied them. All I do know is that butterflies have a 'bud' at the end of each antenna, but moths don't and the one in your photo just has straight antennae, so I'm pretty sure it's a moth. If you can't find it on the web or in books, I would try http://www.ispotnature.org. You have to register, but they are generally very good at getting back to you with an identification pretty quickly. Good luck, I hope you find out what it is - I like it, it has some very distinctive features.

    ReplyDelete
  25. PS I felt bad about not being able to help you out properly so I had a quick look to see what I could find. As I mentioned, I know nothing about moths, but I found something called a Honeysuckle Moth (Ypsolopha dentella) which seems to resemble yours. The features on these moths seem to vary quite a lot, so I can't be at all sure, but have a look and let me know if you think this might be it. I found a good article here: http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=453

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks. Yes, now you've pointed it out that seems to be what it is. It just didn't look like a moth to me, then again I didn't see it in flight. Thanks again for satisfying my curiosity. Best wishes.

      Delete
  26. Great site - looked like just what I needed to identify these little critters invading my home! However after trawling through sone great photos I failed to find what I have here
    https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1OUuY4R7ybTQUUwVmZvd0lCelk/edit?usp=docslist_api

    any ideas. seem to have quite alot of them knocking about. Live in NW Highlands, Gairloch

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sorry it's taken me a while to get back to you. I'm almost certain what you have is an earwig - and a female one at that as the pincers at the back are straight-ish. The males have quite hooked pincers. Look at my page headed Earwigs/Stick Insects and see if you agree. Thanks very much for sending this to me and please keep sending anything else you find to me.

    ReplyDelete
  28. hello,
    I've a request to make:
    If there were to be a graffiti wall of Scottish insects in profile only what 6 - 12 insects would you choose?

    ReplyDelete
  29. I like the sound of this. Well, it will depend a bit on how specific you want the insects to be - for example, would a generic butterfly be ok, or are the artists able for example to graffiti a Peacock butterfly specifically? Whilst there are many exotic Scottish insects (e.g. the green tiger beetle, some long horn beetles), I would have thought you would want to show the Scottish insects that most people in Scotland will be familiar with and will look good on a wall. So with that in mind I would suggest: a midge and a cleg (just because they are Scottish), as mentioned above, a Peacock butterfly (no butterflies on my site I'm afraid, but you can get photos of these easily) a green lacewing (which is truly beautiful), a 7-spot ladybird (stunning and very familiar), an earwig (ok, most people probably don't find them very attractive, but they will be familiar with them), a dragonfly of some description, a grasshopper, a pond skater, a cranefly/daddy longlegs, a bumblebee and/or wasp and perhaps a black beetle of some description. Let me know what you think about these suggestions. It sounds a pretty difficult thing to do and I would love to hear how you get on. Please send me a photo of the finished wall or let me know where it is as I would really like to visit it if possible once it has been completed. Thanks for your post and good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I was taking a look through your beetles page and noticed you've got a pic identified as Chrysolina varians except the beetle pictured has striae down the elytra which would make it something else. I'm fairly sure it's actually a Phaedon species. Thought you might like to know :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks very much for your comments Rob. I'll make this change. Please let me know if you come across any others - all comments are always welcome.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi, I accidently disturbed a bee hive the other day and identified them as Early Bee's as they had orangy bums, however a larger bee came out and this had whatlooked like a shiny bum with two symetrical hairy circles on the bum. Do you know anything about this?

    ReplyDelete
  33. I've tried to find something on this, but I'm really struggling I'm afraid. I'll keep looking and let you know if I come across anything that might fit your description. If you see a photograph of it or anything like it, please forward it on. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  34. You might be interested in this photo of a very colourful fly that was on my porch window. It featured in this weeks Your Pictures of Scotland on the BBC Scotland News Website
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-33379878
    Picture taken using flash

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thanks for posting this photo - it's an absolutely stunning looking insect and it's pin sharp. It looks to me like a ruby-tailed wasp (either Chrysis angustula or Chrysis ignita) though it might be worth getting someone to identify it more formally as these are rarely (if ever as far as I can see) found in Scotland and it looks like this one was found in Milngarvie! It also looks like it's feeding on nectar which would fit. I've never seen one of these, so I'm very envious. Thanks for sending it on and please send me more if you find anything interesting like this again.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I saw an insect near Loch Lomond in June 2015 - it is bugging me that I can't find out what it is!!! Ha ha! What a pun. It was about 2 cm long, narrow, with a brown band in the middle. 3 pairs of fluorescent green spots above and 2 pairs below. Body colour? probably dark grey or black.
    Walking across path and into the grass. Made no attempt to fly.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I saw an insect near Loch Lomond in June 2015. It was about 2 cm long, narrow, with a brown band across the middle and 3 pairs of green fluorescent spots above and 2 pairs below. It crawled along the path and into the grass, making no attempt at flying. It is bugging me that I can't find out what it is. Ha ha! What a pun!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thanks for your query. I'd love to know what you saw that day in Loch Lomond - it sounds so distinctive, I thought I'd know what it is or be able to find it easily, but I can't find anything as yet matching that description. What I can say is that it is far more likely to be a beetle or a bug, as they don't fly away as readily as flies or wasps. The closest insect I can think of (and I confess it doesn't match your description exactly) is the mired bug Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus which is black with yellowish markings. If you ever find out what it was - please let me know.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I am an also an amateur entomologist, but with only a fraction of the knowledge you seem to have acquired - botany's more my thing! I occasionally get photos of insects I'd like to identify, and have one which I think is a dance fly photographed on a dandelion in Holland in June. Could I send it to you for your thoughts? You can email me directly at plju 'at' live.co.uk
    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Many thanks for this Peter - it is great to find someone else who's interested in insects. Many of the insects (and galls in particular) prefer particular plants so I wish I had your knowledge of botany. You can definitely send me the photo you've taken and I can see if I agree with you that it's a dance fly. I will also email you separately.

    Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi would just like to say thank you for the amazing work you have put into this site. I have used it frequently over the last few years. I do macro photography mostly insects and visit here to help with ID.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks for your comments - they are very much appreciated. I'm delighted you find the site useful. I'd love to see some of the photographs you've taken and any hints and tips you may have on getting a good shot.

      Delete
  42. Hi, this is an excellent site. I've looked all through it and can't identify a little friend I've made who's been checking my typing. We live at 325m in a grassy clearing in a forest between Selkirk & Moffat. The creature looked like a flying beetle (?) and was c. 8-10cm long. It was a caramel brown colour, quite stocky and low-set, wings didn't extend beyond the length of it's body. The wings had distinctive light flecks. It was crawling on the edge of my laptop screen and seemed to be feeling its way with its antennae, which were a redder brown as were its legs. I react badly to bites, so when it got close I tried to catch it to repatriate it outdoors and it just disappeared - didn't see it go, so maybe it jumped. Any ideas what it might be? We need to keep track of the bitey, sting-y ones, so I'm trying to find if it's friend or foe. Thanks for any guesses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks for your comments. I'm wondering if it was a red-legged shield bug you saw, also known as a forest bug. Although it's technically a bug, it does look a bit like a beetle. If you go to my 'True Bugs' page, you'll see some photos of one there. Let me know if you think it might be this. And you'll be pleased to know that they don't bite or sting, although they can give off a foul odour if they're attacked, which is why shield bugs are also known as stink bugs.

      Delete
  43. Thanks for your reply. A few tips I would give to anyone who starting out.
    A camera phone can take some nice photos. If your going to buy a camera a bridge is best option you really need some manual controls. Add on lens Raynox 250 gives amazing magnification
    Practice and don't be to disappointed at first. We all have to start somewhere.
    If you let me know how to I would be happy to send some photos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your reply. I actually use a bridge camera - a Panasonic Lumix FZ45. I have tried a Raynox 250 and I agree it does give amazing magnification, but actually prefer using the Raynox 150 (ocassionally) as it provides greater depth of field, although the magnification is not quite as good. However, I find it really difficult to keep my camera still enough with either lens unless the light is strong enough. Do you have a website or a link to you photos?

      Delete
  44. I enjoyed your Hoverflies especially, as these are an interest of mine. I have some doubts on a few of the IDs. #7 and 8 cannot be S.ribesii, as females of this species have a predominantly yellow rear femur. #13 is Eupeodes corollae, as this is the only female Eupeodes where the abdominal spots reach to the margins, as they clearly do in your case. I wondered about C.impressa for #49 & 50, but not sure due to the location. The tarsii don't look pale enough to me for your ID of albitarsis/ranunculi. #58 and 59 are Eristalis nemorum, with the small sharp wing stigma, and typical behaviour in #58 with the male hovering above the female. #60 and 61 are Eristalia arbustorum with the diffuse wing stigma.

    ReplyDelete
  45. So sorry it's taken me such a long to get back to you - I haven't been updating my site much since the end of summer. Thank you so much for all your help on the IDs - I will update all of these during the holidays. I'm always delighted to get some expert help. I really love finding out more about the insects I come across and I know it can sometime be difficult or impossible to ID some of them from photographs alone, so your input is very much appreciated. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hello,

    I've been develloping a new determination key for macro-invertebrates in fresh water, but I'm still searching for gooed pictures to use in my key.

    I was wondering if I could use your picture of a velia nymf in our key.

    The deadline for the key in saterday. So I've got to have all the pictures on Friday.
    Could you let me know if I can use it? Every photographer will be mentionnend with his name, e-mail and website.
    If you give me your e-mail, I can send you an exemple of the key.

    Many thanks,
    kind regards

    Vanheste Lynn
    lynn.Vanheste@west-vlaanderen.be
    0479/450001

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I'm very happy for you to use the photo you mentioned - thanks for asking in advance. And provided there's reference to the web address, I'm happy with that. Many thanks.

      Delete
  47. I don't think that your photo of a Dolichopodid will be Poecilobothrus - more likely just to be a female Dolichopus spp ........... Crispin

    ReplyDelete
  48. Many thanks for this Crispin, much appreciated - I'll update the ID on this one.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hi, I saw a very unusual insect at the top of a Scottish Hill (Meall Glas) outside Crainlarich. It was a pair and looked identical to the 'Marmalade Hoverfly' although I would have no idea why it would be up there, it has been about 15 C today, could that have sent the insect high? They were darting around together and when they were stationery letting out a high frequency buzzing noise,I wondered if it could have been a mating ritual?

    ReplyDelete
  50. Nice website. I am trying to ID a strange pale green flying insect that has long wings shaped like four adjoining pointed leaves, a bit like pale blades of grass. Behind each wing is an extremely long trailing leg with small branches. The abdomen is quite flat and it has antennae somewhat like a moth's. The entire insect is a uniform pale turquoise-green colour.
    It was photographed on a dining table in Ballindean near Perth. I wish I could post the photo for you. have you any idea what it might be.
    Thankyou
    Stephen www.WildaboutSpain.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thank you for your post Stephen and your nice comments! Please do post the photo if you can - I would love to see what you have found and try and help out if I possibly can. From your description, I'm wondering if you've found is a male midge of some sort. If you look on my page headed 'Mosquitoes/Midges/Horseflies' you will see a female green midge and some male midges with feathery antennae. However, these only have two wings rather than four. Green leafhoppers under 'True Bugs' have the spiny back legs but not the feathery antennae. You should have a look at both of these - hopefully they might point you in the right direction. Good luck and let me know how you get on!

    ReplyDelete
  52. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hi,
    I think your identification of Early Mining Bee haemorrhoa may be wrong.
    https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7rFpgAiIwFw/WPtCkCHESSI/AAAAAAAAD7U/phjVR6PN-68gL5LRHfUnpR_r43SdXujmgCLcB/s1600/Early%2BMining%2BBee%2B%2528female%2529%2528Andrena%2Bhaemorrhoid%2529%2B2.jpg
    Apologies if you have had it verified but to me (a beginner) it looks like Gwynne's Mining bee A. bicolor

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks for your comments. I think a number of early mining bees are quite similar and difficult to tell apart without closer examination. I've updated my comments on this bee to reflect your comments. Perhaps someone with with greater expertise will be able to assist.

      Delete
  54. I think this
    https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7rFpgAiIwFw/WPtCkCHESSI/AAAAAAAAD7U/phjVR6PN-68gL5LRHfUnpR_r43SdXujmgCLcB/s1600/Early%2BMining%2BBee%2B%2528female%2529%2528Andrena%2Bhaemorrhoid%2529%2B2.jpg
    might be A. bicolor but i'm a beginner.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Nathan_ThatOneGuy12 August 2019 at 08:20

    Hey, I love the site and was just wondering if you would be able to tell me what sort of insects, even just their larvae, would live in a small stream. This is for a writing project and you deffinitely know what you're talking about. Sorry if I'm being rude by asking.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Nathan - firstly, I can't apologise enough about the length of time it has taken me to reply. Your project probably has had to be handed in by now. You were not at all rude in asking and I'm delighted you like my site. But in case you are still in the middle of your project, there are loads of insects that live in and beside small streams. Often when I go 'bug hunting' I go to streams and ponds and they are always so rich in insects. For example, you can commonly find mayfly and damselfly larvae in streams and you'll very often find pond skaters, reed beetles, crane flies (daddy-longlegs), midges and caddisflies on and beside streams. I hope your project goes well and you keep up your interest in insects!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale never knew we had Stink Bugs in Scotland (Blairgowrie) is share a picture if i could

    ReplyDelete
  58. Yes, please share your photos - I'd love to see them.

    ReplyDelete
  59. I stumbled across your blog whilst trying to identify pictures I have taken of insects and I love it. It has been really helpful even though none of the creatures I saw were in Scotland. And I love the comments you make to go with the pictures. So I just wanted to say 'thank you' for your efforts.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Thank you so much for your comments and sorry I've taken so long to respond. Although these insects can be found in Scotland, almost all of them can be found in the rest of the UK too and many of them in Europe and further afield. I really appreciate your post - it's fantastic to know you enjoyed the site. I'd be interesting in seeing the photos you've managed to take. Now its getting towards the end of May, I'm hoping to get out again to search for more - lockdown permitting...

    ReplyDelete
  61. Hello, I saw what I think might be a Giant Crane Fly yesterday. I have never seen one this size before. Is my identification correct, do you think? https://photos.app.goo.gl/f5dZro9nBXDtS1fZ8

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hi and thank you for sending me a link to your photo. I think Giant Crane Flies usually have very patterned wings. I'm wondering if the crane fly you found is a a male Tipula lunata (see my Craneflies page for this - I think it's the one on the right). These are indeed very large craneflies and the bulbous clubbed 'tail' in your photo means it's a male as the females have a point at the end for laying eggs. Thanks once again for sending this and please send me anything else you find of interest.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Hello, I got a couple of pics of a massive and frankly scary maybe Ichneumon Wasp in Stirling. If you are interested, links to photos are;
    https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMFi0h8K2l43u2IT61PRLYVfD6CYF7RDXg_sqL-
    https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOmAPiXfRncGJvaJxYH-y1wwgPAlxY0JW8VpnRm
    I've never seen anything like it! Sorry about the photo quality, I only had my phone.
    Great site, very interesting. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Hello - thanks so much for your message. I would love to see your pics, but unfortunately I was unable unable to get those links to work. Can you try sending them again please? Don't worry about the photo quality - just looking forward to seeing the pics!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hallo Insecto, yes i thought you might like to see a fascinating insect that I photographed here in Andalucia. I wondered if this species occurs in the UK? Nemoptera Bipennis - thread-winged lacewing.
      https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157439188983527&set=a.10151288708348527&type=3&theater

      Delete
  65. An amazing website. Just what I've been looking for for years!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Wow - absolutely stunning insect - and such a sharp photograph! We do have a number of species of lacewings here in the UK, but I have to admit, nothing quite as stunning as this. Perhaps global warning will entice them over....

    ReplyDelete
  67. We also live in Scotland and have same attitudes towards insects. Would be great if you could get in touch via contact link on our website at www.fredandsarah.plus.com/

    ReplyDelete
  68. It's lovely to hear from someone with so much enthusiam for the wildlife in Scotland. I'll be in touch!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Found a red / salmon bettle not on your website ... how can I send you a piccy please to try and fins out what it is ? :D

    ReplyDelete
  70. Hi Love the site. Founf a pink/salmon beetle and wondered how to send you a piccy to see if you happen to know what it might be. :D Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Would love to see your photo. Are you able to send me a web-link to it please?

    ReplyDelete
  72. Hello from Glasgow, adore the site and the level of detail you put foward aswell as the fantastic pictures. I took up macro photography in May due to lockdown not being able to get onto the hills and do the usual landscape stuff and have been pretty much hooked ever since trying to capture as many species as possible in my local parks Ruchill,Dalsholm and Possil March mostly. I have created an instagram "weemadbeasties" which i think you would enjoy i have photographed many many species which i cannot find on your page and many which i can,and usually come yours as a reference. Be great if you could get in touch and if you would like to use any of my photos can discuss. All the best and keep up the amazing work. David. p.s get me on Instagram direct message, hope to hear from you take care

    ReplyDelete
  73. Thank you so much for your very kind comments! Sorry it's taken so long to respond. I didn't actually have an Instagram account (probably the last person on the planet not to have one) but I've just set one up so that I can view your photos. And I'm glad I did - they are absolutely incredible. I'll be in touch shortly. Would love to know how you managed to get those shots.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Hi, I really hope you can help me I've looked everywhere to identify an insect I came across while hiking Ranoch Moor.

    I'm not generally afraid of insects AT ALL but these really frightened me and I want to cure my panic by learning about them. I only managed to get 2 very blurry photos which I can't seem to be able to post here anyway!

    They were brown-black, around a centimeter long or slightly longer, broad flat heads with smallish eyes wide to the sides of the head, they had 6 legs and small clear slightly brown tinted wings that sat over their abdomen. They were not flies. There were most of them in the boggiest areas.

    They gripped onto skin and clothes incredibly strongly, they would not come off by brushing, blowing or shaking them off. I tried to lift one from my clothing by its wings but these came off (much to my alarm) however later I saw more of them on and in my clothing without wings. They looked to me like some sort of nymph with quite strangely shaped heads. None of them bit us but flew onto and in our clothes and skin (especially faces) and tried to crawl into folds of clothing or hair which alarmed me more than I'd care to admit

    If you could help me identify these creatures so that I can learn about them and not be so frightened that would be greatly appreciated

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apologies it has taken so long to respond to you - I tend to only update the website in the spring and summer. I hope you still have the photos. Are you able to save them somewhere and send the link to me? I'm not sure what insects you have found - they do sound pretty nasty! The only creatures I've seen grasp on are ticks but they have 8 legs and don't fly. I'm intrigued - please do send the photos if you can.

      Delete
  75. Hi Insecto!
    I was walking in Inzievar woods in Fife and saw a bunch of what I think are orange ladybirds on the bark of a tree. I am no expert and your blog helped me identify them (hopefully I did it right), so I've uploaded the photo for you: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KGmnLYkk1uHLB3MtyW5KfdepNPz2RnEa/view?usp=sharing
    I didn't have the right lens for the occasion on me so I apologize. I was wondering if it's normal to see them all together like this. Thanks and take care!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Apologies it has taken so long to get back to you. I really like your photo. It looks like you've found a group of orange ladybirds. A group of ladybirds is known as a loveliness of ladybirds - which I think is perfect. Scientists believe they huddle together like this to regulate their body temperature, share mates and resources and provide better defence against predators. Many thanks for your message and sending the link!

      Delete
  76. Hi we're stuck to what this beastie is visiting our house in Moray today. Can you help please? He's like an elongated narrow olive about 20mm, shiny black/purple body and short wings, 2 bright red false eye spots behind his black eyes, really bright yellow abdomen sticking out the back that seems to be in three or more segments and long antennae with a wee bend at the end (not a club end) . Can't find his picture on the internet at all. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  77. I've been racking my brain, but this has completely stumped me I'm afraid. Do you happen to have a photo of it? If so, are you able to send me a link to it please? I'm intrigued to know what you found.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Hello, thank you for this blog, it’s such a help identifying insects I’ve come across. I have been able to identify a hoverfly thanks to you. I would add a photo but I don’t know how. I think it’s a Scaeva pyrastri

    ReplyDelete
  79. Hello - so glad the blog helped you to identify your hoverfly! If you are able to send a link to your photo, that should hopefully work. Would love to see it.

    ReplyDelete
  80. ...and any other insects you've found and identified.

    ReplyDelete