The Bryony Ladybird (Henosepilachna argus) has been found at Crossness by Chris Rose. The GiGL dataset, and Site Manager Karen Sutton having been consulted, it appears to be a new site record for the species, which was first recorded in the UK in 1987, having arrived here naturally.
http://www.ladybird-survey.org/species_desc.aspx?species=6455%2099201
Four of the distinctive spikily ‘hairy’ larvae, and one probable pupa of the species, were found on the host food plant White Bryony that was growing out of nettles and bramble by the Protected Area fence-line on the south side of the raised viewing platform by the Great Breach Dyke outfall.
Photo of adult and larvae here:
Lots more White Bryony was growing on and under the river side of the platform, but none were found on this.
This Ladybird has been found in a number of locations in the Borough in the last few years, and appears to be most strongly established along the lower part of the River Cray, but looking at the undersides of White Bryony leaves anywhere in the Borough could well turn it up nowadays.
At least 4 different Small Tortoiseshell butterflies were seen, a male Emperor Dragonfly and Black-tailed Skimmer Dragonflies.
Three Meadow Crane’s-bill (Geranium pratense), a native plant, but almost certainly from a sown seed mix here, were growing by the Tilfen pool.
There was also a nice display of flowers on the showy Crown Vetch (Securigera varia), a non-native plant that has naturalised along the ditch at the west end of the southern Cory/Borax field.
http://www.ukwildflowers.com/Web_pages/securigera_varia_crown_vetch.htm
There were 43 Shelduck on the foreshore between the sewage works jetty and the Belvedere rubbish incinerator.
Chris Rose.
