The year’s finds

This year, 2023, was a good year for our species lists, particularly the invertebrates list.

We added three new species of Lepidoptera, all rare finds, all reported by visitors to the reserve: a death’s head hawkmoth caterpillar, a silver washed fritillary butterfly and a five spot burnet moth.

Ian found a new beetle and a variety of people identified four new species of Hymenoptera: a grey haired mining bee, a parasitic wasp and two sawflies. We added nine Diptera (flies) to the list as well, among them the aptly named batman hoverfly

And finally, Simon Knight and Ian, between the two of them, discovered six new species of decorative and delightful true bugs (Hemiptera).