This is a good time of year to search for bugs in the leaf litter. On the top layer, ladybirds are set for the winter in the cosy, dry folds of the fresh fallen leaves. They usually cuddle up close to other ladybirds of the same species to overwinter, but it is not unusual to see two species together, like the 22 spot and 7 spot above. If you search a bit deeper on the soil, you can find centipedes, earthworms, and woodlice. With the colder temperatures, they are more torpid than usual, and then easier to photograph.
A shiny woodlouse, Oniscus asellus
Centipede, Lithobius forficatus
A group of 22 spot ladybirds inside a vine leaf
Arion sp. slug
7 spot ladybird and birch shieldbug
2 comments:
Lovely shot of the centipede - what a delicate and beautifully coloured structure it has.
Thank you Rob! They are beautiful, there were two species today, but the other one didn't turn out as well.
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