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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

That's great. Sorry to alarm you! Maybe the larvae vary in colouring?? These were on Blackthorn (now you've got me worried!) and the Hawthorn above it last week at Chelsworth. Had assumed they were padella but maybe not.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

I wouldn't be definite on it but I have a suspicion that padella, rorrella pics/text are round the wrong way. Several webs the other day near you on Blackthorn/Hawthorn with larvae like pic 3, which must be padella?

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

If anyone tries to convince you that farmers are biodiversity bad guys.. This picture was sent to me today from a really pleased senior member of that community, amazed at the quantity of mining bees in his field edges this year, after we started having a proper look last year.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

Ah OK, thanks for replying anyway. I suppose the same question could be asked about getting close to them to photograph them. I had never worn that shirt in the field before and never struggled more. Coincidence? Maybe. Thought I'd raise the subject to see if the idea had any merit.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

I think it's the general blueness, Vanna, and you may be right the pattern as well. More research needed!

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

A silly post but have you noticed a difference in bee flightiness and difficulty of capture depending on what you're wearing? I struggled more than normal to get close to things yesterday. Jazzy blue shirt to blame? @vannabartlett.bsky.social @dustygedge.bsky.social @timstrudwick.bsky.social

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Antennae are consistent for scot/trim.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Think our best guess might be early emergence summer brood, or some other sort of phenological weirdness. It has long mandibles with just a faint hint of emargination on the top side, no spine and red on terg and sternites. Plus those pale tarsi.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Andrena dilemma. Not a species many will have heard of. Taken last week in inland Suffolk with features of scotica and/or summer brood trimmerana. Alongside spring trimmerana and scotica. Interesting specimen.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Over-wintering critters. Managed uncut, ungrazed area on meadow on left. Cut and sheep-grazed main meadow on right, 10m from 1st site. 30 seconds sweep netting yesterday. 150 plays 20.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Good time of the year to check old Yarrow seed heads for Coleophora argentula larval cases. Around 4 found in 5 mins of looking in High Suffolk this afternoon.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Lots of B. terrestris queens, a B. pratorum queen, a couple of Commas and a Small Tortoiseshell on early Salix and Prunus blossom in High Suffolk today. Probably 3 or 4 male Brimstone about along the ditches and hedgerows.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

First male Anthophora plumipes, some Bombus terrestris and a B. pratorum queen in Christchurch Park in Ipswich this afternoon. Quite a lot of Crocus flowering with some early Prunus out or nearly out. 🌞☀️

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Bristly Oxtongue still hanging on in Suffolk yesterday for #wildflowerhour

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

What appears to be Rhinocyllus conicus from Suffolk farmland last week. If confirmed as that in due course it's a large, but short-rostrumed, weevil that feeds on Cirsium and Carduus, amongst others, thistles and was introduced to N. America as a thistle-biocontrol agent, with predictable results.

Rhinocyllus conicus from Suffolk farmland in late November 2024.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

My #BlackFlyDay offering. Scenopinus fenestralis from off the lounge window in June this year. Domestic #IPM in action.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Lovely, Mark, you've got a geriatric old boy there.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

#wildflowerhour in Ipswich today 24-11-24. Managed an urban #thewinter10 with Dandelion, Yarrow, Daisy, Shepherd's Purse, Hedgerow Cranesbill, Wood Avens, Red Deadnettle, Chickweed, Black Nightshade, Dog Violet.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Well it is #Flyday Here's one of my highlights this year. The Xylomyid, Solva marginata or Drab Wood-soldierfly, which I was lucky enough to be shown along a sunny riverside hedge by farmer, Graham Denny, at Stonham in Mid-Suffolk in July. Lovely picture by Rab King. #soldierflies #FlyFriday

Solva marginata
Drab Wood-soldierfly
In Stonham, Mid-Suffolk in July 2024.
Picture by Rab King 2024

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Here's mine from North Suffolk June 2023. ID help at the time from @andymus.bsky.social if memory serves. #Sawfly #symphyta

Tenthredo baetica from North Suffolk June 2023

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Seen it in Suffolk a year or two ago. Great looking things.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

I'll have a look sometime, thanks, Roger.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Only just above freezing today in Ipswich but some #streetweeds still flowering in sheltered spots. In this case Black Nightshade - Solanum nigrum I think. @bsbibotany.bsky.social

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Phytomyza agromyzina mine I think on Cornus last week in north Suffolk. #Agromyzidae #Leafminers #Diptera #Flies

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Spear Thistle still going on field corner in Suffolk last week. Queen Bombus terrestris taking opportunity to top up on fuel. #wildflowerhour

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Can anybody confirm Hyposinga pygmaea for this one swept off wheat stubble last week in North Suffolk? #arachnida #spiders not usually my thing but I'm starting to look at a few. More pictures and measurements available if needed in due course.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

@dipteristsforum.bsky.social Lovely day at BENHS HQ yesterday with Marc, Matt & Chris + students studying #Tachinidae #diptera Highlights include going through several batches of Tachina magnicornis and confirming a wider distribution than known up to now & looking at some of the newer UK arrivals.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

A late, or early, B. terrestris queen waiting for the sun to come out in North Suffolk this morning. #bumblebee #bee

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

December Moths are lovely moths. This one hadn't quite made it into the trap so was sporting some natty dew drops.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Stenamma westwoodii male from North Suffolk at the end of October. Thanks to Andrew Jarman and Mike Fox for confirming the ID.

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