iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

I was fortunate to see two Brown Hairstreak butterflies at Longrun Meadow in Taunton today, with a female laying eggs on young Blackthorn, and a male seemingly nectaring at Bindweed. Only the second occasion that I’ve seen them. #bugsky #butterflies

Side view of a female Brown Hairstreak butterfly perched on a sunlit leaf.

Side view of a female Brown Hairstreak butterfly laying an egg at the base of a Blakthorn leaf-stem.

Side view of a male Brown Hairstreak butterfly at a Bindweed flower.

Another view of the male Brown Hairstreak butterfly at a Bindweed flower.

0243

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Characteristic behaviour of Eristalis nemorum hoverflies, with males hovering above, and trying to attract the attention of, the female. The males eventually faced off, but the disinterested female left them to it and calmly flew to another flower. #bugsky

A female Eristalis nemorum hoverfly feeding on a yellow flower, with a male hovering above her trying to attract her attention.

A female Eristalis nemorum hoverfly feeding on a yellow flower, with 2 males now hovering above her.

The 2 male hoverflies facing off above the female.

1114

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

A day-flying Jersey Tiger moth (Euplagia quadripunctaria) feeding at Buddleia in Taunton this morning. #bugsky #teammoth

Overhead view of a Jersey Tiger moth feeding in small, violet Buddleia flowers. The moth has delta-shaped black wings with numerous creamy streaks.

0200

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

One of our fabulous Thick-headed flies, Conops quadrifasciatus at Longrun Meadow in Taunton this morning. #bugsky

Overhead view of a Conops quadrifasciatus fly feeding on a purple thistle flower. The fly has a wasp-like black & yellow-banded abdomen, and large black antennae.

170

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

The impressively hairy beetle Lagria hirta in our garden in Taunton this morning, with a handful of mite passengers. #bugsky

Overhead view of a beetle with brown, and remarkably hairy, wing-cases, perched on the tip of a leaf. The beetle has a number of small, orange mites attached to the head & legs.

0181

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

I saw this moth on our outside kitchen window in Taunton this morning & managed a phone snap before it flew off. I’m not much of a moth-er, but wonder if anyone could confirm it to be a male Psyche casta (Common Bagworm)? Fabulous fern-like antennae. #teammoth #bugsky

Overhead view of a small brown moth on a window pane, showing its wonderful fern-like antennae to good effect.

190

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

A fantastic Horsefly from the Somerset Levels on Monday. The eyes have it. #bugsky #ukwildlife

Head on view of a Horsefly sitting on a wooden fence, showing here amazing green & purple eyes with 3 dark, horizontal bands across them.

0121

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

There were good numbers of Black Colonel Soldierflies (Odontomyia tigrina) at RSPB Greylake on the Somerset Levels today, but the star of the show was a female Ornate Brigadier (Odontomyia ornata). @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social #bugsky

A male Black Colonel Soldierfly sitting on a sunlit grass blade.

A female Black Colonel Soldierfly sitting on a sunlit grass blade

A female Ornate Brigadier Soldierfly sitting on a sunlit Dock leaf

1264

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

A stiff breeze in Taunton today but there was a good variety of insects in sheltered spots including Cantharis nigricans (Soldier Beetle), Tenthredo temula (sawfly), Dioctria atricapilla (Robberfly) & the hoverfly Cheilosia illustrata. #bugsky

Cantharis nigricans (Soldier Beetle) sitting on a leaf, showing the impressive antennae to good effect.

Tenthredo temula (sawfly) sitting on a sunlit leaf. It has a largely black body but has a yellow tip and a yellow “saddle” near the top of the abdomen.

Dioctria atricapilla (Robberfly) sitting on a grass blade.

The hoverfly Cheilosia illustrata nectaring on a white Hogweed flower.

090

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

A couple of striking black & yellow wasp imitators (vaguely) from Longrun Meadow in Taunton today: the Longhorn beetle Clytus arietis, and the hoverfly Chrysotoxum cautum. #bugsky #beetles

Longhorn beetle Clytus arietis at rest on a leaf. The insect has yellow wasp-like markings on the wing cases

The hoverfly Chrysotoxum cautum sitting on a leaf. The abdomen has a black & yellow wasp-like pattern.

0321

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

I was delighted to find a Meligramma trianguliferum (Triangle-spotted Roundtail) along the River Tone in Taunton today, only my second ever sighting of this fairly scarce hoverfly. Fortunately, it tends to rest with wings spread, greatly aiding ease of identification. #bugsky #hoverflies

Overhead view of a hoverfly resting with wings open on a sunlit leaf. This small, black hoverfly has 3 pairs of yellow triangular markings on its abdomen.

0293

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

A male Hairy-footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes) taking a brief pause from his frenetic pursuit of females in the Taunton sun yesterday. #bugsky

A male Hairy-footed Flower Bee resting on a sunlit leaf seen from above. The splayed front legs show the hairs which gives its name to good effect.

3282

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

It’s always fun to see a new species, and this Melangyna cincta hoverfly was a first for me, alongside a wooded stream in Taunton today. #bugsky

A hoverfly seen from above on a sunlit leaf. The abdomen has a pair of triangular yellow marks at the top and 2 yellow bands beneath.

2171

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

A female Brimstone at Netherclay Community Woodland in Taunton today. Greenish-white rather than the lemon-yellow of the male, and much more difficult to spot at rest in my experience! #butterflies #bugsky

Side view of a female Brimstone butterfly perched on a bramble leaf. The closed wings are greenish-white, with a couple of orange dots.

0140

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

I saw two of my favourite Spring bees in the Taunton sun today: Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva) and Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria). #bugsky

Tawny Mining Bee, with its rich brown body hair, seen from above on a sunlit leaf.

Ashy Mining Bee, with 2 silver-grey stripes on its black body, seen from the side in a sunlit leaf.

0192

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Saw my first longhorn beetles of the year in Taunton today, with a couple of Phytoecia cylindrica (Umbellifer Longhorn Beetle). Very early (over 3 weeks earlier than last year), like much else I’ve seen this Spring. #bugsky

Umbellifer Longhorn Beetle sitting on a sunlit twig. The beetle is largely black but has orange front legs

Umbellifer Longhorn Beetle resting on a sunlit leaf.

0161

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

The Blackthorn bushes were looking blooming lovely at Netherclay Community Woodland in Taunton today. Lots of Eristalis pertinax and Syrphus torvus Hoverflies were taking advantage in the rare Spring sunshine here. #bugsky

A sunlit path flanked by Blackthorn bushes full of blossom.

A male Eristalis pertinax hoverfly feeding on a Blackthorn flower.

A female Syrphus torvus hoverfly feeding on a Blackthorn flower.

080

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

I came across a decent assemblage of Jelly Ear fungus at Longrun Meadow in Taunton this morning, not a species I encounter very often.

0260

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Poor phone footage admittedly, but the clear, persistent piping drew my attention to this Water Rail moving smartly through the canal-side vegetation near Bathpool in Taunton today. #ukbirding

170

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

A mobile Yellow-browed Warbler was working the trees along the path between Silk Mills Park & Ride and the western end of the lake at Roughmoor this morning. Associating loosely with two Chiffchaff. #somersetbirding

092

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Patient and majestic, a statuesque Grey Heron at Roughmoor in Taunton this morning. #ukbirding

0282

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

The Sentinel. A Cormorant surveys the scene at Longrun Meadow in Taunton this morning. #ukbirding

A Cormorant perched atop a dead tree, looking left against a blue sky.

0241

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Still plenty of insect action at RSPB Greylake on the Somerset Levels this morning: Eupeodes latifasciatus hoverfly, Anthocomoys rufus beetle, 22-spot Ladybird & Migrant Hawker dragonfly. #bugsky

A hoverfly with broad yellow bands seen from above, feeding on a Dandelion flower.

A smart red and black beetle climbing a reed stem.

A yellow ladybird with numerous black spots clinging to the edge of a leaf.

A Migrant Hawker dragonfly seen from above, perched in a dried reed stem.

1120

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

It’s always a joy to see a Stoat, even if only very briefly. This one bounced across a path at RSPB Greylake in the Somerset Levels this morning & I managed just a single photo before it disappeared into the vegetation. #ukwildlife

A head-on view of a Stoat with all four feet off the ground, crossing a path on the Somerset Levels.

0475

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

I was surprised to see a European Hornet (Vespa crabro) resting on a pair of jeans pegged to the washing line earlier this afternoon. Unconcerned by my presence, after about 10 minutes, she excreted, waggled her abdomen for a few seconds and then flew off. #bugsky

A side view of a Hornet sitting on the inside pocket of a pair of jeans pegged to a washing line.

A close-up view of the hornet, facing left.

081

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Saw only my second ever Didea fasciata (Pale-knobbed Lucent) hoverfly, in Taunton this morning, with the distinctive “ski goggle” markings on the abdomen. #bugsky

A male Didea fasciata hoverfly basking on a sunlit leaf. The fly has a pair of yellow markings at the bottom of the abdomen which are said to resemble ski goggles.

0111

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Fortunately, I caught this Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum) moving from the corner of my eye as I walked past it today, the camouflage against the plant stem is terrific. #bugsky

Side view of a Hairy Shieldbug on a plant stem. The purple and pale gold body markings provide great camouflage.

0100

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

European Hornet (Vespa Crabro) and Hornet Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) on the same patch of ivy in Taunton today. The mimicry of the hoverfly is much more effective when it is flying.

A sunlit male European Hornet feeding on ivy seen from above.

A sunlit male Hornet Hoverfly seen from above, feeding on ivy.

1151

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

A Bedeguar Gall, aka Robin’s Pincushion on a Dog Rose stem, which is caused by the larvae of Dipoloepis rosae, a tiny gall wasp - at Longrun Meadow in Taunton today.

A Robin’s Pincushion gall on a Dig Rose stem. It is a pom pom-like, woody growth with a red-tinged fibrous outer layer.

080

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

A Tachina fera fly nectaring on Devils-bit Scabious at Ash Priors Common near Taunton today. #bugsky

A very bristly Tachina fera fly seen head-down & from the side, feeding on a purple Scabious flower.

2110

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

One of my favourite hoverflies, a Dasysyrphus albostriatus (Stripe-backed Fleckwing), feeding on a potted Dahlia on our patio in Taunton today. #bugsky

Close-up, overhead view of a hoverfly feeding on a Dahlia flower. The fly has a series of yellow bands on its abdomen and a pair of longitudinal white stripes on its shiny thorax.

0280

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Had a couple of insect “lifers” today, with a Bright Four-spined Legionnaire soldierfly (Chorisops nagatomii) in the dining room, and an Eristalinus aeneus hoverfly on our Taunton patio (normally a coastal species). #bugsky #diptera ‪@uk-soldierflies.bsky.social‬

A soldierfly with an iridescent green thorax, a long thin abdomen and long hind legs, resting on the ceiling coving in our dining room.

A small black hoverfly with distinctive spotted eyes, seen from above on the stamens of a pink Dahlia flower.

0191

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

The Conopid fly Physocephala rufipes (Waisted Bee-grabber) at Longrun Meadow in Taunton this morning. #bugsky #diptera

A Waisted Bee-grabber seen from above on a purple thistle flower. The fly has an extended abdomen with a thin waist.

0161

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

It was good to see this Eristalinus sepulchralis hoverfly at Roughmoor in Taunton this morning, with its fabulous spotted eyes - the first one I’ve seen away from the Somerset Levels. #bugsky

Front view of an Eristalinus sepulchralis hoverfly perched on a dried seed-head. The fly has distinctive red eyes with multiple yellow dots on them.

091

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

One of the Gasteruption species of Carrot Wasp nectaring on Fennel in our garden today, another stunning example of insect architecture. #bugsky #diptera

A species of Carrot Wasp feeding on yellow Fennel flowers. The wasp has a black body with a long, thin abdomen and an extremely long, white-tipped ovipositor.

1151

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Pleased to see a couple of Conops quadrifasciatus (Four-banded Beegrabber) at Longrun Meadow in Taunton today, fabulous insects. #bugsky #diptera

A Conops quadrifasciatus (Four-banded Beegrabber) seen from the side sitting on a thistle flower. This black fly has a curved abdomen with a number of horizontal yellow bands, and long black antennae.

0272

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

A stunning male Horsefly (Tabanus autumnalis possibly) at RSPB Greylake on the Somerset Levels yesterday. Those eyes… #bugsky #diptera

Overhead view of a large Horsefly basking on a wooden rail. The fly has a dark body variously marked with pale lines & markings, and large, faceted eyes.

A head-on view of the same fly showing the beautiful eyes, largely brown but seeping to orange, yellow & turquoise at the lower margins.

2231

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

A female Leafcutter Bee in action in our garden in Taunton today. #bugsky

Side view of a female Leafcutter bee cutting a section of leaf from a plant. The bee is facing left and has a dark body with a series of thin, pale stripes on top of the abdomen and a bright orange pollen brush on the underside.

0150

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

‘Arrangement in Yellow and Black’. Two fine examples from Taunton yesterday: Large Spearhorn hoverfly (Chrysotoxum cautum) and Spotted Longhorn beetle (Rutpela maculata). #bugsky

Chrysotoxum cautum hoverfly basking in a sunlit leaf. The fly is a good wasp mimic, with number of yellow bands across a black abdomen.

Spotted Longhorn beetle feeding on white Hogweed flowers. The beetle has a black head & thorax, yellow wing cases with a number of black marks on, and large black & yellow- striped antennae.

0260

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Pleased to record two new species in our Taunton garden today: Wool Carder Bee (Anthidium manicatum) and Pied Plumehorn hoverfly (Volucella pellucens). #bugsky #ukwildlife

A frontal view of a Wool Carder Bee resting on some gravel. The bee has a yellow face & a series of yellow dots along the side of its brown abdomen.

A Pied Plumehorn hoverfly seen from above feeding in a daisy flower. The fly has a black body with a large white band across the abdomen. The wings also have a dark smudge near the centre.

0150

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Some cracking insects at RSPB Greylake on the Somerset Levels today: Stratiomys singularior (Flecked General soldierfly), Volucella bombylans hovefly, Fredegunda diluta (Ichneumon wasp) & Cantharis fusca (Soldier beetle). #bugsky @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social

A female Flecked General soldierfly on white Hogweed flowers. The fly is black and has a broad, flattish abdomen with a series of pale marks around the edge, and has very long antennae.

A female Volucella bombylans hoverfly nectaring on some white Hogweed flowers. The fly is a good bumblebee mimic.

A female Fredegunda diluta Ichneumon wasp sitting on a reed stem. The fly is largely brown and has long antennae and a dark ovipositor.

A Cantharis fusca Solider Beetle on a white Hogweed flower. The beetle has black wing cases and legs, a black head, and an orange pronotum which has a black mark near the head.

1222

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

I was fortunate to get a side view of this female Anasimyia lineata (Snouted Duckfly) hoverfly at Roughmoor in Taunton this morning without disturbing it, showing the extraordinary protruding mouth to good effect. #bugsky

Side view of an Anasimyia lineata hoverfly perched on a grass blade. The fly is black with yellow longitudinal stripes on the thorax and some creamy marks on the abdomen. The most conspicuous feature, however, is the protruding yellow mouth, much like a duck’s bill.

1231

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

A couple of smart insects seen down a quiet lane in Taunton today: a male Chrysotoxum cautum hoverfly (my first ever) and a smart male Broad Centurion (Chloromyia formosa). #bugsky @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social

A male Chrysotoxum cautum hoverfly nectaring on a white Hogweed flower. The fly has a broad black abdomen with a series of yellow bands which make it look somewhat like a wasp.

A male Broad Centurion soldierfly seen from above feeding on a white Ground Elder flower. The fly has a green head and an iridescent green thorax, with a shiny brown abdomen.

Side view of the same Broad Centurion fly.

0260

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Some good Soldierfly action at Greylake RSPB reserve on the Somerset Levels today, with this beautiful fresh Ornate Brigadier (Odontomyia ornata) and plenty of Black Colonels (Odontomyia tigrina). #bugsky @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social

An Ornate Brigadier soldierfly sitting on a sunlit leaf. The fly has matt-red eyes, a hairy coppery thorax and a broad black body which has a series of pale brown & chestnut markings along the edge

A Black Colonel soldierfly sitting on a sunlit grass stem. The fly is all black, with a large, broad abdomen. Its wings look like gossamer as they catch the light

1211

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

A brilliant day for #longhornbeetles at Greylake RSPB reserve on the Somerset Levels today. Names in the Alt text. #bugsky #ukwildlife @theponker.bsky.social

A Wasp Beetle (Clytus arietis) sitting in a sunlit reed. The insect is black with a series of yellow bands

A Four-banded Longhorn Beetle (Leptura quadrifasciata) feeding on a white umbellifer. The insect is black with four broken yellow bands on the body

A different Four-banded Longhorn Beetle (Leptura quadrifasciata) perched on a grass stem. The insect is black with four broken yellow bands on the body

The spectacular Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle (Agapanthia villosoviridescens) sitting on a sunlit leaf. The beetle has a golden iridescent bloom on the wing-cases and thorax and very long antennae are with dark and light bands

0220

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

By the sound coming over my shoulder I thought a helicopter was coming to land in the garden but it was only this beautiful Rose Chafer. #bugsky

A Rose Chafer facing left after just landing in a bush. This large beetle is enamel green with the occasional white squiggle on its wing cases.

2171

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

I spent a mesmerising 5 minutes watching this Slow Worm weave sinuously through our lawn in Taunton today. #ukwildlife

Overhead view of a Slow Worm on a grass lawn, with its head to bottom right & its tail to top left.

Close-up view of the Slow Worm’s head, facing right.

Close-up view of the Slow Worm’s head, facing left.

190

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Imagine my surprise when I drew back the bedroom curtains this morning to find this nightjar perched on the steps in the back garden of our house in suburban Taunton. I managed to get a solitary photo through the window before it was disturbed & flew off. #somersetbirding #ukwildlife

A sleepy Nightjar perched on a step in broad daylight in our garden.

4673

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

It seemed to be a green beetle day in Taunton today, with my first yearly sightings of Oedemera nobilis and a pair of Malachius bipustulatus, and what I think is the weevil Polydrusus formosus. #bugsky

Oedemera nobilis, a green beetle viewed from above on a sunlit buttercup. The beetle has conspicuous swollen thighs on its hind legs.

A pair of Malachius bipustulatus beetles meeting head on at the top of a grass flower. The beetles have shiny green bodies with a pair or orange marks at the base of the abdomen.

Overhead view of a small weevil on a sunny leaf. The beetle has a shiny, light green body, with a series of longitudinal grooves on the wing cases.

0150

Robin Parker @thegreatskua.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Some decent insects seen during a plod round Longrun Meadow/Roughmoor in Taunton today: beetles Hazel Leaf-roller & my 1st Soldier Beetle of the year, Cantharis rustica; moths Common Tubic & Common Carpet. #bugsky #mothsmatter

Side view of a Hazel Leaf-roller beetle on a sunlit leaf, facing left. The beetle has a red body and a black head and long, black “neck”

Overhead view from the left of a Cantharis rustica soldier beetle on a sunlit grass blade. The beetle has black elytra and a chestnut body, with long, downward-curving antennae

Common Tubic moth sitting on a leaf, seen from above left. The moth has a scallop shell pattern at the base of the wing, with various cream, orange & yellow patches latticed with a series of silver lines

Common Carpet moth seen from above, sitting on a sunlit grass blade. The moth has a creamy body with a series of brown bands running across its wings

1340