June Bugs

During my travels around the country over the past week I have encountered lots of nice invertebrates and bugs in the areas where I surveyed. Please see below. 

 Daddy-Long-Legs an alien looking creature up close © John N Murphy

 

Sawfly Tenthredo Mesomelas © John N Murphy

Brimstone Moth © John N Murphy

Bee Orchid at the Shannon Airport Lagoon © John N Murphy

Pyramid Orchid at the Shannon Airport Lagoon © John N Murphy

 

Ringlet Butterfly © John N Murphy

 Leptura Livida Beetle © John N Murphy

Lochmaea Capreae Beetle © John N Murphy

Hover Fly Helophilus trivittatus © John N Murphy 

Micro Moth © John N Murphy

Leptura Strangalia quadrifasciata Longhorn Beetle © John N Murphy

I found this Longhorn Beetle at Leptura Strangalia quadrifasciata at home in my garden last weekend on Sunday 24th June 2012, while painting some trellis in my courtyard. It is localised and rare in Ireland – not found in northern counties except for one record from Ards Forest, West Donegal.  Very easily confused with the even rarer Leptura aurulenta which is recorded from Kerry, Cork and Wicklow. There are recent records of quadrifasciata in Co Clare (Castleton, Cragmoher & Ardnamurry Loughs). But it is far from common.  The larvae live mainly on rotten birch and the adults fly in late spring to early summer.  Thanks to Roy Anderson for the information on the distrubution of this species in Ireland.