NORWICH: February lichen, moss and aphids

Early February 2023

A few random sightings whilst walking around Norwich. In Wensum Park I had a closer look at some pale 'splats' on the concrete step handrails and think that the lichen involved is Aspicilia calcarea, which would be a new one for me. I hunted around for two of Leif Bersweden's 'Couch to 10 mosses' species - Common Tamarisk Moss (Thuidium tamariscinum) and Springy Turf Moss (Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus). I couldn't find the former, which is more associated with woodland, but did manage to find the latter in St Augustine's Churchyard. Whilst looking for the tamarisk moss I did find lots of Common Feather-moss (Kindbergia praelongia). Back at home some aphids had started to appear on the outside of the house. The small ones were Cinara tujafilina (this is a species associated with cypresses - I mistakenly thought these were Cinara cupressi nymphs when I first saw them last year) and some very large (for aphids) Cinara confinis.

NORWICH: Japanese Elm Aphids

Mid-October 2022

On the way home one evening I cut through a small wood and had a look for insects on an Elm leaf. I spotted several young aphids, but nearby was an alate (winged adult). I was able to identify it as  Japanese Elm Aphid (Tinocallis takachihoensis), a new species for me. My pictures aren't very good but you can find out more about it on the Influential Points website here: https://influentialpoints.com/Gallery/Tinocallis_takachihoensis_Japanese_elm_aphid.htm

NORWICH: Some early October highlights

Early October 2022

More interesting things seen on my daily commute, including two new aphids, Aphis oenotherae on Evening Primrose and Aphis solanella on Black Nightshade. At Sainsburys on Queens Road there were several moths around one of the security lights, unfortunately nothing new but Large Ranunculus is always nice to see. Walking down towards Lakenham Way I found a Nigma walckenaeri spider hiding under a silk tent. There were also some interesting plants at Wensum Park on a dried-out bit of what is usually a flooded inlet, notably Marsh Yellow-cress, Bullwort and Cockspur Grass.

NORWICH: Aphids on Walnut

Late September 2022

Earlier in the year I had seen Large Walnut Aphids, Panaphis juglandis, on the upperside of some Walnut leaves. There is however a second species, Small Walnut Aphid (Chromaphis juglandicola), which I hadn't found, until now. It really was tiny, so I might well have just overlooked them in the past. There was a bonus on the same tree, with my first alate (winged adult) Panaphis juglandis.

NORTH NORFOLK: A walk on the saltmarsh

17th September 2022 

I had originally intended to attend a fungus study group foray on this date, but instead decided to head to Warham saltmarshes where the Norfolk Flora Group were holding a meeting combined with a workshop on Sea Lavenders. Unfortunately the area we were surveying held only Common Sea Lavender and a hybrid with Lax-flowered, so I still haven't seen Matted or Rock Sea Lavenders - maybe next year!

 The plant highlight for me was Corn Parsley, which I'd not seen before, whilst we also had the benefit of Alex Prendergast's Elm knowledge to point out a couple of different Elm species. 

 

I checked some Sea Wormwood plants unsuccessfully in the hope of finding Scarce Pug larvae, but did find a consolation in with some Wormwood Case-bearer larvae (Coleophora albicans). Other invertebrate highlights included Coleophora atriplicis on Annual Sea-blite, the lacebug Parapiesma quadratum and Sea Lavender Aphid Staticobium staticis. I failed to find any Sea Lavender Weevils, but perhaps focussed to much on the flowerheads, as something I've since read online suggests that they are best found by turning over the basal leaves.

WHITLINGHAM: September count and lots of Oak associates

11th September 2022

Highlight of the WeBS count was one Wigeon.

I spent a little while looking at an Oak, and found quite a few galls, leaf mines and caterpillars, most of which are pictured below. I also saw some Variegated Oak Aphids, including an alate (winged adult) which was a first for me, having only seen non-winged ones here previously.

Moth leaf mine - Tisheria ekebladella

Heliozella sericella mine and cut-out

Oak Marble Gall

Variegated Oak Aphid

Trioza remota galls

Stigmella sp. leaf mine

Oak Knopper gall

Artichoke Gall

Neurotus anthracinus gall

Smooth Spangle Gall

Buff-tip caterpillar

Caloptilia sp.

Coleophora 'flutipennella'

I also found a hawk moth caterpillar - Poplar Hawk or Eyed Hawk (it doesn't look quite typical for either unfortunately) being attacked by a wasp

NORWICH: An early September miscellany

Early September 2022

A miscellany of interesting sightings from around the city. Firstly whilst taking my daughter to see one of the T-Rex sculptures near Pull's Ferry I decided to check the nearby Walnut trees for galls. This turned out to be a good decision, as I found galls caused by Aceria brachytarsus, a new species for Norfolk. Later in the day I took a walk along the Avenues to see some large Ganoderma resinaceum fruiting bodies growing from the remains of some cut-down Red Oaks.

Last year I had noticed some mildew on Horse Chestnut leaves near Waterloo Park, but they had been too high to reach. This year I again saw the mildew, but this time some leaves were within jumping range! A check under the microscope confirmed that it was Erysiphe flexuosa.

Whilst checking Alders at Wensum Park I found some Green-barred Alder aphids, Pterocallis maculata. I also took advantage of the low water levels to record some new plants for the park, including Red Goosefoot and Trifid Bur-marigold.