2023 First Quarter | Hainault Forest

THIRD QUARTER 2023

This Journal covers the third quarter of 2023 from July to September.

Coot

Fulica atra

Coots are omnivorous birds that primarily consume plant material. They favour shallow, vegetated lakes for foraging. To find small invertebrates, they dive underwater and typically resurface with their catch before eating. This behaviour can occasionally result in conflicts with other coots over food. A group of coots is referred to as a "cover" or "covert."

Large Black Longhorn

Stictoleptura scutellata

The Large Black Longhorn measures about 20mm. It is large and black in colour. This species is rarely documented and is considered nationally scarce, but it appears to be established in certain local areas. Adults are typically active during June and July. The larvae develop in dead deciduous wood and are associated with beech forests.

Nettle Ground Bug

Heterogaster urticae

These are instar nymphs of the Nettle Ground Bug. They live on nettles.

Grass Snake

Natrix helvetica

Grass Snakes have a yellow neck collar (although this may be missing on elderly females) and a body of dark green or brown. The underside is whitish with irregular blocks of black. They grow up to one metre long or occasionally a bit longer which makes them Britain's largest snake species. When cornered they hiss and if that fails to scare an intruder away they may pretend to be dead. When handled evil-smelling fluid is released from anal glands and stomach contents are regurgitated as a defence mechanism. Young hatch from eggs; the temperature must be at least 21 degrees C. for successful hatchings. Hibernation occurs from October to February under logs, in leaf litter and compost heaps. Grass Snakes have a special liking for wetland habitats where they are often found basking or swimming. They are strong swimmers and enter water to hunt amphibians and fish.

Ophonus ardosiacus

Ground Beetle (10-14mm long) found in open grassland on chalky and clay soils. Active from March until September with peak abundance from May until August. Adults are present throughout the year, overwintering in matted vegetation or soil. They feed on seeds of various plants, especially wild carrot. A rather variable species - the elytra vary from a bright dark blue to almost black. The legs are normally brown.

Common Masoner 41.002

Blastobasis adustella

This species is variable with light and dark forms. There is usually a 'X' marking when viewed from above which assists with identification. Found in a range of habitats including woodland, heaths and gardens from July to September. Previously known as the 'Dingy Dowd'.

Jersey Tiger

Euplagia quadripunctaria

Originates from the Channel Islands and since 2017 has become a prolific sight in the Hainault area. It flies during daytime from July to September and many people mistake it for an orange-coloured butterfly when flying. The larvae feed on nettles, hemp-agrimony, plantains and other shrubs.

Rusty Acorn Piercer

Cydia amplana

A migrant first recorded in Devon in 1990. Adults are usually seen in Britain during August. Its caterpillars are believed to feed on acorns and nuts, including Hazel, Walnut, Sweet Chestnut and Beech. Formerly known as 'Vagrant Piercer'.

White-headed Mompha 40.004

Mompha propinquella

Common woodland species with raised scale-tufts. It flies during nighttime from June until September and is sometimes attracted to light. Its caterpillars feed on various willowherbs. Formerly known as 'Marbled Mompha'. It has a 12mm wingspan.

70.159

Cypress Pug Eupithecia phoeniceata

Cypress Pug arrived in this country by accident on garden conifers. Since the initial British record at Cornwall during 1959 it had now spread across most of southern England. August and September are peak flying months for this species.

Lime-speck Pug

Eupithecia centaureata

Flies from April to October in two broods. Its larvae feed on a wide range of plants.

Thick-headed Fly

Sicus ferrugineus

The Thick-headed Fly has a brown body and large yellow head with big brown eyes. It is seen from May until September when it is often found resting on hedgerows with the abdomen folded forward. It feeds on nectar and pollen.

Meadow Brown

Maniola jurtina

A common butterfly found in meadows above low vegetation. Adults can be seen flying in overcast conditions when many other butterflies remain inactive. They often rest with their wings closed.

Ringlet

Aphantopus hyperantus

This is a medium-sized species measuring up to 50 mm in diameter. They are usually located flying near bramble along shaded forest paths. The larvae consume coarse grasses. The quantity and size of the wing spots can vary, and in some cases, the black rings may be absent.

Painted Lady

Vanessa cardui

The Painted Lady butterfly comes from the Mediterranean annually and is typically observed in Britain between July and September.

Peacock

Aglais io

The Peacock Butterfly has spectacular wing spots that have evolved to startle and deter predators. The wing undersides resemble dead leaves. Peacocks are often found along sheltered woodland paths where they lay eggs on stinging nettles from which blackish caterpillars emerge to feed.

Comma

Polygonia c-album

The Comma butterfly features jagged orange-brown upper wings accented with black and yellowish-brown markings. When at rest, it resembles a dried leaf. Comma butterflies prefer to rest on hedgerows in sunny areas. The name "Comma" comes from a small 'comma' mark found on the underside of their wings. Their caterpillars feed on nettles and hop plants.

Brown Argus

Aricia agestis

Brown Argus is a small grassland species that can be confused with a female Common Blue butterfly.

Small Skipper

Thymelicus sylvestris

Small Skippers and Essex Skippers have a similar appearance. To differentiate between the two species, it is necessary to view the antennae from the front. If the antennae do not appear to be dipped in black ink, then the butterfly is a Small Skipper.

Small China-mark

Cataclysta lemnata

On the wing from June until August. This Moth is often spotted when waterside vegetation gets disturbed. Males are slightly smaller and whiter than the females. This species feeds on duckweed.

European Corn-borer

Ostrinia nubilalis

A rarely recorded migrant prior to the 1930s, but has since spread and colonised some parts of London and the south-east. Females are normally larger and have lighter colouration than males. Mugwort is the larval foodplant.

Oak Knot-horn

Phycita roborella

Woodland species that flies in July and August. Oak is the larval foodplant. Previously known as the 'Dotted Oak Knot-horn'.

Black Arches

Lymantria monacha

Frequents mature woodland and scrub containing Oak and is on the wing during July and August. Males have feathered antennae and are smaller than females. The larvae feed on Oak and sometimes coniferous trees in spring.

Common Issid Planthopper

Issus coleoptratus

Common flightless planthopper (3-4mm long) that lives on shrubbery and on foliage of various deciduous trees, usually seen from May until October. The head, including the eyes, is narrower than the pronotum.

Dwarf Mallow

Malva neglecta

Dwarf Mallow is a hairy, spreading annual plant. Its lilac flowers, which have dark veins and measure 15-25 mm, bloom from May to September in dry, disturbed areas. The leaves are either round or kidney-shaped and have very shallow lobes.

Handsome Plant Bug

Harpocera thoracica

Very common throughout Britain on oak with adults normally appearing in May and June. They are short-lived, especially the males. The sexes are dimorphic; females are browner and have wider bodies than the males.

Knapweed Plant Bug

Oncotylus viridiflavus

This species has vivid colouration and its unique patterning makes it easy to identify. Adults (5-6mm) inhabit knapweed flower-heads from July to September. The nymphs are vivid green with lines of black spots. Knapweed is the foodplant.

Dwarf Gorse

Ulex minor

Perennial that grows up to a metre tall in heathland and scrub. It is a spiny-stemmed evergreen with winged, five-petalled pea-like flowers appearing at the end of branching stems from July until October. The round stems are hairy and the leaves are needle-shaped.

Brown Hawker

Aeshna grandis

The Brown Hawker lays its eggs in floating vegetation and timber in ponds or slow-flowing waters. It has a brown body with yellow stripes on the side of the thorax and brown tinged wings. The brown wings make this species distinct. It can be found hunting along woodland rides some distance from water.

Emperor Dragonfly

Anax imperator

The Emperor Dragonfly is a large dragonfly mainly seen in well-vegetated ponds and lakes. Females lay their eggs in floating vegetation. The female has a green abdomen, whereas the male has a blue abdomen.

Agrimony

Agrimonia eupatoria

Burred seed heads develop on agrimony which attach to passing animals and humans to disperse the seeds.

Common Damsel Bug

Nabis rugosus

Common in grassland and often found on low vegetation. Mating and egg-laying takes place during spring. Larvae emerge for June until September to form a new generation of adults (6-7mm).

Bithynian Vetch

Vicia bithynica

Named after Bithynia, an ancient kingdom located on the north coast of Anatolia in Turkey. In Britain, this plant is usually seen near the sea and not usually in large quantities. It occasionally turns up inland, possibly due to warmer climate. This climbing or scrambling annual has distinctive purple and white flowers measuring 16-20mm across. The pods, 20-30mm, contain 4-8 seeds. There are distinctive toothed stipules.

Selfheal

Prunella vulgaris

Selfheal is a low-growing perennial with oval leaves and bluish-violet flowers. It is a member of the Mint family.

Tamarisk Leafhopper

Opsius stactogalus

The pea-green Tamarisk Leafhopper (4-5mm) is associated with the plant Tamarisk. Adults are normally seen from August until November.

Long Legged Grass Bug

Miridius quadrivirgatus

Adults (9-11mm) are seen in July and August. This species has a long 1st antennal segment and diagnostic markings; stripes run the full length of the head, pronotum and scutellum. Once associated with coastal areas, but now becoming more common inland. Inhabits grassland.

This crustacean is related to woodlice but resides completely in aquatic environments. It has two pale spots on its head. While it does not swim well, but tends to crawl among vegetation and mud. It is common in stagnant water due to its ability to tolerate low oxygen levels and can be encountered throughout the year.

Field Grasshopper

Chorthippus brunneus

The Field Grasshopper has sharply incurved pronotal side-keels, a noticeably hairy lower body and wings that extend beyond the hind-knees. There are various forms; normally brownish with striped and mottled varieties, and body parts ranging from buff, orange and purple. They stridulate making short, brisk chirps repeated at short intervals. Field Grasshoppers have a preference for dry, sunny locations with short vegetation. Eggs are laid in soil with nymphs hatching from late March. Adults appear from June and may persist until November.

Red-sided Parasite Fly

Eriothrix rufomaculata

Bristly fly that visits flowers during summer and autumn especially umbellifers such as Hogweed and Wild Carrot. There are reddish markings on the abdomen with a black dorsal line in between. Its parasitic larvae develop inside moth caterpillars.

Leafhopper

Allygus mixtus

This fancy-patterned leafhopper species is widespread throughout much of Britain on deciduous trees especially oaks from June until October. Its nymphs feed on grasses. 6-7mm.

Thyme-leaved Speedwell

Veronica serpyllifolia subsp. serpyllifolia

Red Bartsia

Odontites verna

Black Bryony

Dioscorea communis

Hornwort

Ceratophyllum

Michaelmas Daisies

Aster agg.

Michaelmas Daisy is a common, tall, well-branched garden escape which can often be seen blooming near Hainault Lake during the autumn.

Hemp Agrimony

Eupatorium cannabinum

WIld Onion

Allium vineale

Scarlet Pimpernel

Anagallis arvensis

Scarlet Pimpernel produces reddish, or occasionally blue, five-petalled flowers. The trailing stems have unstalked oval leaves. When the atmospheric pressure falls the flowers close and this is a sign that bad weather is approaching.

Poppy

Papaver rhoeas

The Poppy is a hairy-stalked annual with pinnately cut leaves often found on disturbed ground. The red flowers measure 70-100mm across.

Rosebud Gall

Andricus gemmeus

Originally discovered in the UK in 2008 at Colchester, Essex, the galls (3-4mm in diameter) are produced by the asexual generation of the gall wasp Andricus gemmeus. They are commonly observed on oak trunks in September.

Cluster Gall

Andricus lucidus

Cluster Galls were first recorded in the UK in the 1990s, having originated from the Mediterranean region. These galls result from the sexual generation of a gall-wasp. The flower-like clusters can reach sizes of up to 35mm across and consist of dish-shaped galls that interlock. Initially, the galls are green with a shiny, waxy surface, later turning reddish-brown and hard. The asexual generation of this gall-wasp produces Hedgehog Galls.

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