A Denticulate Leatherbug (Coriomeris denticulata) in the Ivy this afternoon. A new species for me and the garden. Tristan Bantock

Excited to share what appears to be a new hymenopteran family for our garden - a member of the Megaspilidae - a poorly studied/recorded group of parasitoid wasps. This tiny (c2mm) specimen was investigating nooks & crannies in the woodpile this afternoon. 💚🍃

A female Buffish Mining bee, Andrena nigroaenea. So fluffy. Fluffish mining bee.🐝💚🍃

Almost overlooked in the light trap this morning this small, apparently nondescript cranefly - in fact it is anything but - check out the pectinate antennae! It's a male of the widespread but inconspicuous species Rhipidia maculata, new to the garden list. 💚🍃

Spiders around the garden this weekend: a lovely female Xysticus, a candidate Philodromus albidus & roving males of Pseudeuophrys lanigera & Salticus scenicus 🕷💚🍃

A slightly confused/confusing mix of moth species to light overnight included a latest record for Brindled Beauty & earliest for Small Magpie. A charming nfy Pale Tussock & little Elachista (which had been glimpsed by day). Hasn't quite taken off yet. 16/12 Worcester VC37 🦋💚🍃

Dapper male Common Fox-spiders, Alopecosa pulverulenta, around the garden 🕷💚🍃

Both sexes of the beautiful Picture-winged cranefly, Epiphragma ocellare, in a shady corner of the garden this afternoon. 🦟💚🍃

Shieldbug Sunday shine-up 🖤🍃

Btw I tend to steer clear of politics here, but I do want to register my sincere pride in the voters of my adopted city.
Worcester City council election 2024 full result: Labour 17 Green 12 Lib Dem 5 Conservative 1
No overall control 💚🍃

In the ground layer at Tiddesley Wood *lots* of Pardosa saltans, a species of wolf spider said to associate strongly with ancient woodland sites 🕷💚🍃

Much insect activity in Tiddesley Wood was concentrated on fine stands of Wood Spurge, Euphorbia amygdaloides. Four examples: Ichneumon stramentarius, Athalia sp, Nomada flavoguttata, Empis tessellata 💚🍃

Insect highlight of a wander around Tiddesley Wood, Worcs today in glorious weather, was this lovely Tortoise Shieldbug, Eurygaster testudinaria. 💚🍃

A Phygadeuontine ichneumon with dandelion seed for scale 💚🍃

Andrena minitula s.l. 🐝💚🍃

Two funky beetles in the last 24hrs: Ptinus sexpunctatus & Anthocomus fasciatus 🐞💚🍃