Local Patch - 19th August. Pictures include Tachinid Fly, Wasp Spider, Chalkhill Blue

Hoverflies are everywhere at the moment. They are really quite interesting when you stop to look and realize just how many different sorts there are on just one plant. Sadly there is no sign of the one remaining Mallard duckling…I don’t think it can of made it but the juvvie swans are all doing really well getting their flight feathers now. We have had a Chiff Chaff in the garden – a first for our postage stamp size back garden! As a result of an email from our friend Graham, the Patch has taken a bit of a break as we went rushing off to Denbies Hill near Dorking at the weekend. He had found a Wasp spider! As this is a creature Dave had always wanted to see we set off. It is also a good time of year for Adonis and Chalkhill Blue Butterflies. Weather was kind, and the light was good and we were soon seeing plenty of the butterflies, readily picking out the two species. We then found our target. What an insect! It is thought this spider has been in the UK since 1922 originally found on the south coast, it is now moving north It is the female that makes the web. The spider builds it at dawn or dusk, commonly in long grass a little above ground level, taking it approximately an hour. The prominent zigzag shape, featured at the centre of the orb is of uncertain function, though it may be to attract insects. Having caught its prey of flying insects and grasshoppers in the web it then bites and injects venom to paralyze the unfortunate creature. The eggs are laid in the long grass under the web so vegetation that is unmanaged is required. The male of the species is much smaller than the female. It can often be seen in or near a female's web waiting for her to complete her final moult, at which time she reaches sexual maturity. At this time and her jaws will be soft for a short time and the male may mate with the female without the danger of being eaten.