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Nettle Rust Puccinia
urticata
Bee Beetle Trichius
fasciatus
Noon-fly
Mesembrina meridiana
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| The
Nettle Rust Puccinia urticata
is widespread and sometimes very common in Highland, but as the map opposite
shows, it is seriously under-recorded. The fungus has a complex life-cycle
involving stages on various sedges (Carex),
but is most obvious because of the galls it induces on the stem and leaves of
Nettle Urtica dioica.
It has various races depending on the particular sedge that it uses, but all
are easily recognised on Nettle. The galls cause deformities in the leaf
or stem, and are often reported as diseased caterpillars or slugs, such is
their size and shape. If you pass a patch of nettles, especially if they
are near sedges, look out for the
twisted yellow growths and let us know. They get more dull with age,but
are still recognisable. |
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Nettle Rust
Puccinia urticata.
Photos © Jane Bowman. |
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| The
Bee Beetle
Trichius fasciatus
is a real Highland speciality, this being one of its two main UK strongholds. The larvae develop in dead hardwood and
emerge as this spectacular beetle often found on thistle heads where they are
somewhat lethargic and easily observed. At up to 15mm long it is easily
spotted, although often the head is buried in the flowers and all that is
visible are the unmistakeable pale brown and black wing cases.
HBRG has targeted this beetle in the past, but because
it is such a speciality of the north we would like to have as much information
about its range and season as possible, especially records from the west of
our area. When submitting records, please
tell us what flower it was on. |
Bee-beetle Trichius
fasciatus.
Photo © Murdo Macdonald. |
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The
Noon-fly
Mesembrina meridiana is under-recorded in Highland. It is a very handsome fly, shiny black on the body, with
orange flashes on the wings and a striking gold face.
They are usually found basking on sunlit tree-trunks and similar sites.
Seen properly, they are impossible to confuse with any other fly, but you must
see the gold face, as some other flies have orange or yellow wing-bases. |
Noon-fly Mesembrina
meridiana.
Photo © James Lindsey at
Ecology of
Commanster. |
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