The fungal rust on this Chestnut leaf is Guignardia aesculi, which affects most specimens of Chestnut in our area.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHofamY6bZNL9BeYMISasTd_Noa3JQgsBjF0kgIc1VLbD8kmjl81937qKUthBCZmnSj5kX5a7mQIZ2P0zhRWH4PEGtaiy34pWYPjOaHa5DW94nF4QF_84qeHp4_-4GSbN262WpSGOcg/s280/guignardia-aesculi-web.jpg)
Moths are still coming to light, but in smaller numbers, which is to be expected as we get colder. This Black Rustic - Aporophyla nigra - is a new species for me:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVUEShn6RUH9DhYerSVsYDh8omT6-_fxnKfYt97xdWiMxy342lQbmWeaP6CN5Wd5GoHuzkdC_Y05PTZoaYyZHU_aA888StX3gZL9-kHexVotXaqcf1RtPgCv6Cgycr_6VkTlHRdQC9w/s280/black-rustic.jpg)
Occasionally I get an Ichneumonid or two as well. This red one is worth showing:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnxrYO1gnRA9zsJF9oQo0FIJ7_L9QdA0QGkuBeagyUNAFCZWV0YW7y14FzdclhjbDO3mlenaiU_Wtm24iZ0TmW8eXHSNGvYNfKjJ4BfiMOVYHlD9d_EohHCzw3POYO64wEXJNDonnSg/s400/red-ichneumonid-web.jpg)
Shield bugs are usually found very close to their particular habitat. This Forest Shield Bug - Pentatoma rufipes - is always found in old deciduous woodland, but the other night this specimen was blown onto my windowsill. It can always fly back.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdTVm1S62jxGVb6kiHJu9z6YwpXgNCJRtFvUHtTzX1H2ptrN_woAQk8wVyireH8IOAF5vEUhKnTpXLEFCF0Itopvu0ova9yN7jStvjPudPFy4cJsibD8W-0DZOc_JfAPuR56A3Pz31g/s280/forest-shield-bug-web.jpg)
"I must see if it's possible to detect a statistical correlation between duration of residence of host plant and number of dependent species." Interesting idea - should be a strong correlation I reckon.
ReplyDeleteThat shield bug isn't the prettiest insect out, is it?