Get off and walk

This large red damselfly was taken during some sweeping netting of a stand of Himalayan knotweed near the Lamb and Fox pub at Pwll ddu. On closer examination the underside of the damselfly supported a cluster of parasitic water mites. Seems this is a regular occurrence with the parasites attacking the underside of the thorax or around the lower end of the abdomen.



Also taken during this session was this reed beetle possibly Donacia semicuprea and a first generation day flying moth Pyraustra despicata.