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The insects in Alphington's lanes

Wildlife in Alphington

By Rowena Jay

Orb-web spiders

Family: Argiopidae; Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus). Size: 4 to 8mm male; 10 to 12mm female.

This is one of the commonest of the orb-web spiders that can be seen in abundance between August and October. They are pale brown to almost black in colour with a variable white cross on their abdomen. They spin circular webs and either rest in the centre or more often hide under a nearby leaf. They lay their eggs in silken cocoons and the young hatch in the Spring.

Crab Spider

Family: Thomisidae; Crab Spider (Misumena vatice). Size: 3 to 4mm male; 10 to 11mm female.
They are greenish yellow or white and they can usually be found lurking in flowers from May to July. They do not spin webs but hunt or lie in wait for prey. Their front two pairs of legs are larger than the rest. They are crab like and walk sidways.

Ladybird

Family: Coccinellidae; Seven-spot Ladybird (coccinella 7-punctata). Size: 5 to 8cm.
This is our commenest ladybird. Their larva are steel blue with a few yellow spots. Both the ladybird and the larva eat aphids. They hibernate in large numbers in attics and outhouses.

Hover-fly

Family: Syrphidae; Hover-fly (Syrphus ribesii). Size 20 to 25mm.
These flies are abundant on hogweed and other Ombels in the Summer. They are protected by their wasp-like patterns/coloration. Their larva are magot-like and eat aphids.

Dragonfly

Order: Odonata; True Dragonfly.
This Dragonfly is a darter; it rests on vegetation and then darts out when prey approaches. True Dragonflies rest with their wings outstretched.

Damselfly (Zygoptera)

Damselflies are dainter than the True Dragonflies and fly slowly. When feeding they pluck insects from vegetation. When they rest they normally fold their wings over their body.

All Dragonflies spend their early life in water and the nymphs are carnivorous. When they are ready to change into adults they climb out of the water on to reeds.

Back to wildlife and flora in Alphington's lanes and on the Exeter Canal.