Ladybird Alert (11): 14-Spot at Melford Hall

(Propylea 14-punctata)

This 14-spot Ladybird was crouching on a nettle in the grounds of Melford Hall on Monday afternoon, 4 June 2012. These yellow Ladybirds are very small. I shall log it on the UK Ladybird Survey site.

Seasonal First (4): Two Blue Damselflies

Damselfly at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, UK

I find these very difficult to identify beyond the designation 'blue Damselfly'!

Damselfly at Melford Hall, Suffolk, UK

I am wondering if this one immediately above is a Southern Damselfly.

Eye-catching Insects (11): Sailor Beetles ... and a Soldier Beetle

Cantharis rustica

We went out in search of a little sunshine, and encountered this pair of Sailor Beetles in the grounds at Melford Hall in Suffolk. They were in a 'wildlife patch' of nettles, long grass and cow parsley. The black heart in the middle of the pronotum is a key feature of this species.

• Soldier Beetles on Gower

The record shot immediately above is of a Soldier Beetle I saw at Sutton Hoo on Tuesday. It may be a Common Red, but I am no expert when it comes to these insects.