Hoverflying

There was a noticeable influx of the large hoverfly Helophilus trivittatus evident at the farm yesterday. I counted 30+ and they far outnumbered the resident Helophilus pendulus. These are almost certainly immigramts from the Continent.   They are larger and paler than pendulus and their face is entirely yellow.  Pendulus have a dark stripe down the centre of the face.

Helophilus trivittatus

Helophilus trivittatus

Helophilus trivittatus

Helophilus pendulus

Helophilus pendulus

Have you seen Erica?

Cornish Heath (Erica vagans) grows only on the Lizard peninsula

Bell Heather (Erica cinerea)

Mixture of Bell Heather and Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix)

Mixture of Western Gorse (Ulex gallii) and Cornish Heath