Stictoleptura scutellata today feeding on Bramble (Rubus sp.) in Bengeo garden, magnificent nationally scarce longhorn beetle. Hertford to Broxbourne area is one of their few hotspots in UK. National Longhorn Beetle Recording Scheme BNA – Herts branch #Cerambycidae #saproxylic

Warm evenings when it exceeds 20C at midnight, see significant dispersals of beetles: Chlaenius vestitus last night in Bengeo garden, spectacular scarce water-loving ground beetle. Ground Beetle Recording Scheme BNA – Herts branch #attractedtolight

Two contrasting wetland soldierflies from yesterday in Bengeo garden: Stratiomys potamida ♀ (15mm), striking large wasp mimic, & Nemotelus nigrinus ♂ (3.5mm), tiny easily overlooked species attracted to light. Soldierflies RS BNA – Herts branch #Stratiomyidae

Beetles accidently brought on shirt from garden into house: Uleiota planatus today in Bengeo, incredibly flat bark beetle that can easily access tiny crevices on tree trunks. BNA – Herts branch #Silvanidae #saproxylic

Megamerina dolium ♂ today in Bengeo, distinctive nationally scarce species associated with old broadleaved woodland rich in deadwood. Only member of this family found in Britain. BNA – Herts branch #Megamerinidae #IchneumonFly #saproxylic

Native cockroaches are harmless, living outside & feeding on plant matter. Ectobius vittiventris yesterday in Bengeo garden, larger (>13mm) than other natives. S. European species that is spreading into N. Europe but appeared in Herts in 2017. Grasshoppers & Related Species Recording Scheme #attractedtolight

Mallota cimbiciformis ♀ this morning in Bengeo garden, magnificent large honeybee-mimic. Nationally scarce hoverfly associated with relict ancient woodlands and wood pastures. BNA – Herts branch #saproxylic

Common Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) is such an important nectar source: Conops quadrifasciatus mating pair, Macronychia dolini, Physocephala rufipes & Stictoleptura scutellata all feeding on Ragwort in Bengeo garden during last two weeks. BNA – Herts branch

Stratiomys potamida ♀ today in Bengeo garden. She has now been present here in woodland edge habitat for 40 days. In Europe, species' habitat is forest with small springs & narrow streams. Perhaps it is woodland species in UK that breeds in adjoining wet areas. Soldierflies RS

Apoderus coryli today in Bengeo garden, striking weevil & scarce species in Herts. WeevilRS BNA – Herts branch #HazelLeafRoller

We had some amazing visitors this afternoon - a large flock of storks flew over our site for about 15 minutes. Knepp Wilding White Stork Project

Platydracus stercorarius today in Bengeo garden, attractive day-active larger rove beetle. BNA – Herts branch #Staphylinidae

Robberflies enjoy landing on your camera hand. Normally any resulting photo is badly out-of-focus, occasionally they stay long enough for decent shot. Tolmerus atricapillus ♀ with Thereva sp. ♂ prey today in Bengeo garden. BNA – Herts branch #Asilidae #KiteTailedRobberfly #Stilettofly

Sargus bipunctatus ♂ male today in Bengeo garden. Last soldierfly species to appear, heralding end of season. Soldierflies RS BNA – Herts branch #Stratiomyidae

Argiope bruennichi ♀ on back wall last night in Bengeo, really impressive species that is normally found locally in undisturbed wet grassland. BAS Matt Prince 🕷 TurnFear2Fascination 🇬🇧 🇮🇱 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🕷️ BNA – Herts branch #WaspSpider #attractedtolight

Dicheirotrichus obsoletus yesterday in Bengeo garden, distinctive coastal ground beetle & 1st record for Herts. Very warm summer nights sometimes see major dispersals of coastal species over considerable distances. Ground Beetle Recording Scheme BNA – Herts branch #attractedtolight

White variety of Meadow Cranesbill (Geranium pratense) at Kings Meads nr Hertford in June. All Meadow Cranesbill on Little Mead show this feature every year. #wildflowerhour BSBI: Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland wildflowerhour Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust BNA – Herts branch