Insects Again

Yesterday it rained and it did not take long for the becks to fill.  Out on the moor the tiny streams were rushing across the moor.

In a quiet eddy under an overhanging piece of bank, the Water Crickets were managing not to be swept away.

Risedale Beck was a beautiful colour!  

There are not many flowers along Risedale Beck during the summer, as the canopy of leaves from Hazel and Alder shade out the light.  However these trees do provide food for many caterpillars and larvae.  Once the rain stopped the sun came out and so did the insects. Something caught my eye and it was a fly.  Looking closely I realised that it was having a cleaning session, starting with antenna, then front legs, then finally back ones.

Hoverflies were busy hovering around many different species of flower.  I caught this one head on.

Angelica is in flower and providing plenty of food.  I am unable to remember ever seeing so many of these flies Sciara hemerobioides, a Fungus Gnat, on one flower.  They have bright yellow tummies - to be correct abdomens.  The Soldier Beetles were also out in numbers.

On the heath I spotted a frog hopper and realised that it was one of my favourites.  Camera ready and some photos taken.  Honest, this is Cicadella viridis a Green Frog Hopper.  Not one for the calander competition!

Small Skippers were feeding in large numbers too.  This one, again on the heath, feeding on Betony.  The small meadows, as well as the heath, are covered with the pink purple flowers.