Chiggypigs

Amongst newly aquired literature I've got recently are x3 Aidgap Keys: sawflies, lacewings & allies and woodlice. This is not because I have any intention of actively searching for any of these, but at least if I'm in the mood and something catches my eye I have a chance of getting to an ID.

Whilst sawflies and lacewings are much closer to my typical invert interests (six legs), woodlice are not really my cup of tea. At all. At home, and I have no idea when, why or how it started, we call them chiggypigs. I have seen most of the commoner species, and a few less common whilst out and about with Keith Lugg on PSL meet ups (and he certainly is interested in them). However the commoner ones have been identified by picture matching, and whilst I am sure they were correct it's always good to know why something is what it is.

I got home earlier than usual this afternoon, but not quite early enough to think about heading out to do something. So I decided to head into the garden, pot up differing woodlice and properly identify them with the key.

I actually ended up with five species, but I've not grabbed a shot of two (Rosy Woodlouse and Armadillidium depressum). Of the other three, all of which are common and widespread, two were very simple to key out:

Common Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus)

Following the key: uropods longer than wide (that's the extended bits at the back that look like flippers); antennal flagella with three sections; outline of edges of pereon and pleon a smooth line (the pereon is the front 7 segments, the pleon are the hind segments, and at the transition between these the outline is not stepped); prominent lobes on either side of the head. Dead easy.

Common Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum)

Again following the key: uropods longer than wide; antennal flagella with three sections; outline of pereon and pleon stepped; no lobes on sides of head; telson is pointed (the telson is the very last segment after the pleon); colouration such that there is a dark central dorsal stripe. Also straight forward.

So first two were easy to key in five / six couplets. The last one is also common but took a little bit more work.

Common Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber)

Uropods longer than wide; antennal flagella with two segments; eyes with several ocelli; body pigmented; outline of pereon and pleon smooth; specimen not able to roll into a ball; dorsal surface covered in small raised bumps; uropods 'pear-shaped', widest about half way along; telson pointed at the tip; head colour similar to the body with no dark stripe; posterior margin of the first segment of the pereon more or less straight, not curved.

Always good when following keys for the first time comes up with the expected IDs. Before this little exercise I have never known the terms uropods, pereon, pleon and telson. I can see that there are some species where much closer scrutiny is required - like looking for lungs on the underside and checking the seventh leg, but next time I find some small woodlice whilst rummaging around I'll be more inclined to pot up a sample and have a go.

Farely Chuffed

Yesterday I felt a bit crap, today I feel positively shite. I thought a bit of fresh air would be a good move to clear my aching head. It wasn't, and now I sound like I've had a bastard file rubbed over me tonsils.

I nipped over to Watermead CP South with absolutely nothing in mind. As I ambled about, I noticed a Fieldfare along the edge of some scrub and hopefully made toward it with the camera. All fieldcraft went to shit when there was a sudden loud blast of Rockit by Herbie Hancock - I really should change my ring-tone. It was a call from work, and all though the five minutes of work-related importance I kept my eye on the Fieldfare which, miraculously, was still knocking about and was now perched on a dead-log at ground level sunning its back. Phone call done and I edged close enough to fire off a couple of shots - not the best Fieldfare shots you'll ever see but certainly the best I've ever taken ....

Otherwise nothing interesting there bird-wise, but I noted a couple of things that stood out from the browns and greens.

Butterbur

Winter Aconite

The only other interesting bird noted today was down the lane as I drove back from dropping Isabelle off in Lutterworth. A Little Owl was prominently sat out on the previously regular tree. Hopefully it's one of the pair that was resident for a long while until evicted by Jackdaws last year, though I guess it could be a completely new bird moving into an uncontested territory. Owl-man Paul Riddle will no doubt work it out.

After posting the photos yesterday from the brief Ulverscroft mothing session, I forgot to mention my garden records for the same night (Thursday) when I ran both the Synergetic and an MV. That's probably because the catch was so instantly forgettable. Compelete rubbish considering the conditions, with just 2 of 2sp. - both in the Synergetic (the MV blanked).

0688 Agonopterix heracliana 1
1663 March Moth (Alsophila aescularia) 1

Last night I ran no traps and scored just as many moths at lit windows:

0688 Agonopterix heracliana 1
1934 Dotted Border (Agriopis marginaria) 1

I also forgot to mention that Ulverscroft was alive with Tawny Owls - I reckon at least 3 pairs within earshot including one very vocal and close pair to where we based ourselves. I also photographed some other stuff on tree trunks whilst we were there, which I think are:

Common Shiny Woodlouse

Lehmannia marginata

Time for some medicinal malt with ginger and a hot spicy curry from the local take-away - that should sort out my aching body and rasping throat!!