David Holland's photos

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Hutchinson's bank

I think Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata) Hutchinson's bank Possibly Pyrausta aurata Mint Moth, the real size is 8.61 mm, magnification is 1.4 from UK moths Wingspan 18-20 mm. This species is often confused with Pyrausta purpuralis. Both can be bright purple with golden markings, especially when fresh, or brown with yellowish markings, especially when worn. The principal distinguishing feature is the arrangement of the postmedian markings on the forewing. On P. aurata the only consistent postmedian mark is a round golden blotch near the costa, but there is usually a small golden mark between it and the costa. In fresh specimens, there is sometimes a thin indistinct wavy golden postmedian line between the round blotch and the dorsum. On P. purpuralis the postmedian markings can form a continuous broad band, but it is usually broken into three substantial marks. The mark near the dorsum is always much more substantial than that, if any, on P. aurata, and turns towards the base of the wing as it approaches the dorsal edge. P. aurata has two generations; in May and June, and again through July and August. It flies both during the day and at night. The larvae feed on mints, including spearmint (Mentha spicata) and Apple mint (Mentha rotundifolia), marjoram (Origanum vulgare), Meadow-clary (Salvia pratensis), Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), catmint (Nepeta cataria) and calamints (Calamintha spp). P. aurata is locally common in England, Wales and southern Scotland, both larvae and adults occurring in gardens as well as wild habitats with the foodplants.

Ectophasia crassipennis, hutchinson's bank a member of Parasite Flies Family Tachinidae from Steve Falk A medium-sided to large phasiine tachinid (body length 7-12.5 mm) that is highly variable in appearance. It is a flattened species with a broad head and closely resembles one of the larger Phasia species e.g. P. hemiptera but has vein R4+5 open apically rather than stalked. Large males have very broad, boldly patterned wing, uusally with areas around cross-vein r-m, along the outer cross-veins and in the costal area darkened. The wings are usually less extreme in medium-sized males, and in the smallest ones they resemble those of the females. The male abdomen is typically orange with a dark median stripe but can be more extensively (or even entirely) darkened on the disc. In some smaller ones it is patterned like that of a female. Females average 9-10 mm in length and have the wings relatively unmodified other than a dark central smudge. The abdomen has orange sides basally and a grey dusted tergite 5 (most obvious when viewed from behind). The wing bases are yellow. The only way to separate them from some small males is to check for the small, rigid ovipositor (whihc is much smaller than a Phasia species) underneath the tip of the abdomen. E. crassipennis is common in the Channel Islands where it occurs in a variety of flowery habitats. Adults fly from May to October and are usually seen on the flowers of umbellifers (e.g. Fennel, Wild Carrot, Rock Samphire) and composites (e.g Common Fleabane, ragworts, goldenrods, Yarrow, Hemp Agrimony, Oxeye Daisy and Tansy). The larvae develop within pentatomid and acanthosomatid shieldbugs of various sorts (e.g. Elasmucha grisea and Carpocoris purpureipennis) and also some lygeids and coreids. In 2019 it was recorded from several sites along the south and east coast of mainland Britain. By 2023 it had reached the Norfolk Brecks and it is expected to spread further.

I think Kite-tailed Robberfly (Tolmerus atricapillus), Hutchinson's bank Adults are predatory on many other species of flies and other insects. The larvae are presumed to develop as predators in soil.

Aricia agestis Brown Argus Hutchinson's Bank

Female Batman Hoverfly Myathropa florea Hutchinson's bank 01/08/2026 From " www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/invertebrates/flies/batman-hoverfly " The Batman hoverfly is commonly found in wooded areas across the UK and will visit gardens. They feed on the pollen and nectar of a range of flowers, from blackthorn in spring to umbellifers in summer and ivy in autumn. Look out for them basking on leaves or hovering in sunbeams. Their aquatic larvae develop in water-filled holes and crevices in trees, but adults can lay eggs in just about any container with some standing water. They've even been known to use compost and wet cow dung. If you create a hoverfly lagoon in your garden, there's a good chance you'll attract this species.

Female Batman Hoverfly Myathropa florea Hutchinson's bank 01/08/2026 From " www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/invertebrates/flies/batman-hoverfly " The Batman hoverfly is commonly found in wooded areas across the UK and will visit gardens. They feed on the pollen and nectar of a range of flowers, from blackthorn in spring to umbellifers in summer and ivy in autumn. Look out for them basking on leaves or hovering in sunbeams. Their aquatic larvae develop in water-filled holes and crevices in trees, but adults can lay eggs in just about any container with some standing water. They've even been known to use compost and wet cow dung. If you create a hoverfly lagoon in your garden, there's a good chance you'll attract this species.

Bee hutchinson's bank

Hoverfly Hutchinson's bank

Possibly Genus Eurithia, Hutchinson's bank

Female Batman Hoverfly Myathropa florea Hutchinson's bank 01/08/2026 From " www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/invertebrates/flies/batman-hoverfly " The Batman hoverfly is commonly found in wooded areas across the UK and will visit gardens. They feed on the pollen and nectar of a range of flowers, from blackthorn in spring to umbellifers in summer and ivy in autumn. Look out for them basking on leaves or hovering in sunbeams. Their aquatic larvae develop in water-filled holes and crevices in trees, but adults can lay eggs in just about any container with some standing water. They've even been known to use compost and wet cow dung. If you create a hoverfly lagoon in your garden, there's a good chance you'll attract this species.

setting sun

setting sun

Eclipse - sadly low tech

Eclipse - sadly low tech

Eclipse - sadly low tech

Eclipse - sadly low tech

Eclipse - sadly low tech