Mini-beasts of the Mani Peninsula

WARNING

Unless you are interested in insects this blog could cause death by boredom. It is even more self-indulgent than usual and consists of little more than an illustrated list of creepy-crawlies.

I originally intended to call this blog "Insects of the Mani Peninsula" but, as many spiders are included, the convenient term "mini-beast" was employed.

Chris and I recently returned from a rambling holiday in southern Greece. It was billed as "Flowers of the Peloponesse" but, being a fully paid-up member of the awkward squad,  I decided to concentrate on insects. In truth the flora was so rich that I constantly found my attention being diverted but I nevertheless tried to stick with my original plan.

The following notes look at the insects I found roughly in the order in which I saw them, so taxonomically they are a bit of a jumble.

I travel right across Europe and what do I find... I am not a lepidopterist but if this isn't the caterpillar of a Lackey Moth (Malacosoma neustria) I'll consume my headgear! It was feeding on an oak which, although I failed to make notes, is Kermes Oak (Quercus coccifera) or one of its close relatives.









Although my knowledge of butterflies is limited, this specimen is surely Papilio alexanor, the Southern Swallowtail. Greece is one of its stronghold but nevertheless I was delighted to see it - and even more pleased that it paused to allow the photograph to be taken.

Burrowing deep into the head of this thistle (Carduncellus caeruleus?) is this chafer, Oxythyrea funesta. It is very similar to Oxythyrea cinctella but, on the balance of probabilities, I think it is the former. As I had no intention of bringing specimens back to Britain I must rely on photographic evidence - not 100% reliable of course.

A chafer, Oxythyrea funesta, in a flower head.
Gythio, Greece. 21 April, 2004

A closer look does help to clarify the situation showing that hairs are clearly present on the wing cases.

Tent of the Pine Processionary moth, near Gytheo,
Greece. 21 April, 2014

Here and there the silken tents  of the Pine Processionary, Thaumetopoea pityocampa, were seen. These tents house the larvae of this moth, which is a serious forest pest. I saw one oak tree bearing the tent of its close relative, the Oak Processionary, Thaumetpoea processionea, but didn't take a photograph.

The Tortoise Bug, Eurygaster testudinaria, was common. It is widespread in the region and is even found as far north as Britain. It is common in Surrey for example and records suggest that it is moving northwards. It is close to Eurygaster maura but I think I've got it right. Let's be honest - it is rather a dull little insect of interest only to the enthusiast. Its common name is well deserved. It is about 10 mm long.

Greek Tortoise, aka Spur-thighed Tortoise
 at Mistra gorge. Greece.

This larger specimen was 160 mm long and was photographed in the Mistra gorge. There are reasons to believe that it is not a bug at all but a genuine Greek Tortoise, Testudo graeca. 

(Tony, You're being silly again!)

Next: a rather nice pair of scarab beetles. There are over 30,000 species of scarab beetle worldwide, but the species shown - on an unidentified flower -  is Eulasia pareyssei.

A scarab beetle, Eulasia pareyssei. Beside road
 above Gythio.


. 

A closer view shows the lovely velvety green thorax. 
A male and female pair? I've no idea

Egyptian Grasshopper on olive tree near
Mistras

Egyptian Grasshopper, Anacridium aegyptium. It is beautifully camouflaged against the bark of an olive tree, but Irene's sharp eyes found it. Though not clear on this photograph this species has striped eyes, helping to distinguish it from the notorious Migratory Locust, Locusta migratoria. This species causes little damage.

Poecilimon ornatus on roadside near Gythio. 

This creature had me scratching my head for a while until I found that it was quite variable in coloration. It is a species of bush-cricket, Poecilimon ornatus. This specimen has lost a hind leg; this is a frequent occurrence and the insect seems little inconvenienced.

This specimen shows the degree of colour variation displayed.  Also on tarmac, this one was on the road leading up to Monemvasia. Phil drew them to my attention and there were hundreds, including many of the subspecies vehiculo-squashii.

Rhynocoris rubricus on waste ground near Gythio.
23 April, 2014

This brilliantly colored bug (using  'bug' in its proper sense) is one of the Assassin Bugs, Rhynocoris rubricus. About six species of Assassin Bugs occur in Britain but are generally smaller than this one.

Dung Beetles caused great excitement, a fact which would have interested Freud! We paid a visit to the southernmost point of the Mani Peninsula and we came upon several of these as they rolled away balls of fresh dung. Annoyingly, I have not been able to identify these. They proved surprisingly difficult to photograph, moving with great speed.

Rose Chafer, Cetonia aurata. Roadside above Gythio.

Several Cetonia beetles occur around the Mediterranean but this, Cetonia aurata, is probably the most common. Anyone who has read "My Family and Other Animals" by Gerald Durrell may remember the author's childhood fascination with a man who wandered around near the Durrells's villa with several of these beetles on fine threads, flying around his head. The elytra (wing cases) are more flattened than in related species. 

A neat little pentatomid bug, Ancyrosoma albolineatum, turned up towards the southern tip of the Mani Peninsula. It was very camera-shy and this was the best I could manage. But was enough to allow a definite identification to be made as the body shape and stripey pattern are distinctive. I had rescued it from a small pool and its wings are partly protruding in an attempt to dry out.





Jumping spiders were very common. This family the Salticidae, is very popular with arachnologists. They are found all over the world and sport a wide range of colours. These colours and distinctive patterns are useful in identification but this specimen, a female, has me stumped. 

This sombre-coloured spider was trundling across the road near Mistras. I had no hesitation in identifying it as a female Eresus - but which one? We have one species in Britain, the very rare Eresus sandaliatus but I suspect this is Eresus kollari. A microscopic examination of the genitalia is essential for certain identification, but I had no intention of harming this specimen; I placed it in undergrowth at the roadside.

Neoscona adianta near Monemvasia.

So, two spiders, neither identified with certainty. With the third one I had more success. Photographed beside a path above Monemvasia, this is Neoscona adianta. For once there is an English name for this species: the Bordered Orbweaver. Not surprising really as it is found in Britain where it is a southern species, with its stronghold in the Thames valley. This is a female.

As I have said, for certain identification it is necessary to examine the genitalia of a spider, but this female has a 99% likelihood of being Menemerus semilimbatus. This is another jumping spider and has a very wide distribution. I photographed this on a wall near Anavyta (sic?) as we awaited a taxi.

True bugs were present in almost bewildering profusion. Here a pair of Red Bugs, Scantius aegyptius are in cop (i.e mating) on waste ground at the edge of Gythio. It has been accidentally transported to the USA and there are fears there that it may attain pest status.






Superficially similar is Trichodes apiarius. In fact it is not a bug at all but is a beetle of the Cleridae family This species is widespread across southern Europe. It is known as the Bee-eating Beetle and there is worry that it may reach Britain and become a problem.

Back to bugs... Although the stripes on the wing cases are not very bold, this is a dead ringer for the Fine-streaked Bugkin, Miris striatus, so I am going to stick my neck out and say that it is this very common and widespread bug - one which I regularly record in Britain. Again near Gythio.

This is one of the Spurge Bugs, and considering how common - and varied - were the spurges seen, this bug was not a surprise - except that it is found as far north as Britain. It is probably Dicranocephalus medius, although D. agilis is very similar.

I admit it took me a long time to track down this ladybird. It is Henosepilachna elaterii. Although many ladybirds feed on other insects - notably aphids - this feeds on the tissues of lemon and cucumber leaves. Significantly it also feeds on Squirting Cucumber, and I took this picture among the ruins of Corinth - where S.Q. is frequent.




... and a final few odds and ends. For those of you who persevered you are to be congratulated for your patience and tenacity!

A weevil literally dropped on to my
 net. It may be Polydrus impressifrons
but these are tricky species to identify

Butterflies are not my 'thing' but this looks
 like a Glanville Fritillary,  Melitaea cinxia

Spider: Oxyopes heteropthalmus

Moth:  Adscita species, possibly

Adscita statices

Beetle: Capnodis tenebrionis

Beetle: Clytra quadripunctata

Flowers of the Mani Peninsula: Part 1 - Orchids

Chris and I are just back from a week's rambling in the Mani peninsula, in Southern Greece. We have had almost twenty holidays with Ramblers but this must count as one of the most enjoyable: interesting walking in a lovely landscape, excellent weather and, above all, the companionship of a friendly and interesting group ably led by the excellent Julia Cooper.

The holiday was billed as "Flowers of the Peloponesse" but given the wealth of archaeological sites in the area it was not surprising that, for many, these were the main attraction. For flower-lovers the orchids were eagerly sought - and found in some abundance. 

The first species to be noted was a Tongue Orchid. I was a little disconcerted by this as there are about ten species to be found in the Mediterranean area - and they can be tricky.

Serapias vomeracea near Gythio, Greece
20 April, 2014

This, I am fairly certain, is the Long-lipped Serapias, Serapias vomeracea, a widespread species found from Spain through to Turkey (but see below*). It was growing beside a track overlooking Gythio. One really needs to collect a specimen for examination with a hand lens but, like most people, I am reluctant to pick these flowers. It was noted several more times during the week.

Pyramidal Orchid near Gythio, Greece
20 April, 2014

The Pyramidal Orchid, Anacamptis pyramidalis, was noted on a couple of occasions. It has a very widespread distribution, including Britain, and is found on a range of soils, including (obviously) the strongly alkaline soils of the Mani Peninsula. Often the flowers are of a deeper lilac shade.

Four-spotted Orchid,
Anavriti Gorge, Greece.

25 April, 2014

This dainty orchid was found towards the end of the week in Anavriti Gorge, where it was flowering in considerable numbers. Known as the Four-spotted Orchid, Orchis quadripunctata is usually found on limestone and can occur in a white form. It shuns too much shade and was blooming on open ground beside the track towards the top of the gorge.

Orchis italica. Anavriti Gorge, Greece.
25 April, 2014

Closely related, though looking strikingly different, is the Italian or Naked Man Orchid, Orchis italica. This photograph was also taken in Anavriti Gorge but the species was not plentiful, Despite its name it is widespread in the Mediterranean and in some areas is one of the commonest orchids.

I make no apology for including a second photograph showing a little more detail.

Man Orchid,  Orchis anthropophora.
Anavriti Gorge, Greece. 25 April, 2014

.


The gorge held further treasures. The Man Orchid, Orchis anthropophora (formerly Aceras anthropophorum) was represented by a number specimens which, for some unaccountable reason, I found very difficult to photograph. This curious species is widespread across south-east England but is threatened through loss of habitat and has Red Data Book (RDB) status. I was therefore delighted to find it flourishing in damp, semi-shaded spots. In my own county of Northamptonshire the species does occur but is very rare and I have never found it there.

Orchis anatolica. Anavriti Gorge, Greece
25 April, 2014

I freely admit that this next species has caused a deal of head-scratching. However I am fairly sure it is   Orchis anatolica. It is very similar to Orchis olbiensis but the latter is more likely to be found in the more westerly parts of the Mediterranean region.

Orchis anatolica near the top of
Anavriti Gorge, Greece. 25 April, 2014

A sort of confirmation came with the finding of this lovely white orchid. Orchis anatolica frequently occurs in this white form and some very good images are to be found on the internet. Anatolia is an ancient name for (roughly) modern Turkey, but the species is found from the islands of the Aegean through to Iran.





 






Now for the Ophrys species noted. The identification of species within this genus can be tricky and will often provoke intense debate. It appears likely that the genus is still evolving and therefore occasional specimens occur which seem "half way" towards evolving into a new species. Nevertheless, the plants seen by us on our rambles seem reasonably problem-free and can be matched confidently with written and illustrated descriptions available. For the record I have used: 

 "Mediterranean Wild Flowers" by Marjorie Blamey and Christoper Grey-Wilson

 "Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of Southern Europe"  by Paul Davies and Bob Gibbons

"Flowers of South-west Europe" by Oleg Polunin and B.E.Smythies (which, despite ostensibly being restricted to the flowers of Spain, Portugal and western France, proved quite useful).

Woodcock Orchid near Gythio, Greece.
20 April, 2014

The first to be seen was the Woodcock Orchid, Ophrys scolopax. It was growing beside a track near Gythio but was seen elsewhere later. The yellowish structures on the side of the flower, sweeping forward like a cow's horns, show it to be the subspecies cornuta. This is sometimes given full specific status as Ophrys cornuta.

Another Woodcock Orchid, showing subtle variations. If a variety like this becomes geographically isolated, perhaps in a ravine or on an island, it will be well on its way to evolving into a new species.

This not very good photograph shows the Eyed Bee Orchid, Ophrys argolica. It is apparently endemic to Greece and is quite rare, being found in an area estimated as no more than 500 km sq and on the UICN Red List of Threatened Species it is classed as "vulnerable", with threats listed as uncontrolled building work, crop spraying and tourist pressures. It has been seen by previous ramblers, being on the 1998 list provided by Julia. Blamey and Grey-Wilson suggest that it has a wider range, as far east as Turkey and including Cyprus, indicating the difficulties faced when dealing with Ophrys species.

Ophrys iricolor. Anavriti Gorge,
Greece  25 April, 2014

Next comes Ophrys iricolor, sometimes called the Rainbow Ophrys. It is close to the Sombre Bee Orchid, Ophrys fusca, and a degree of variation in flower shape creates identification problems. However, my photograph matches well with illustrations in books and on the internet.








Oddly enough it had never been my intention to search for orchids but the sharp eyes and enthusiasm of Julia coaxed me into giving them more attention. And very interesting it was!

* I now believe I was wrong. It is Serapias cordigera





















































  

At the foot of a wall...

Wayside weeds, so often ignored, are inevitably of interest ecologically. To cope with the unnatural conditions with which they live requires a rather special kind of toughness and adaptability. The late Sir Edward Salisbury made these plants his life's work and his classic book "Weeds and Aliens" still occupies an important place among my books even though it was published (in the famous Collins "New Naturalist" series) fifty years ago.

Even in towns and cities these tough characters may be found - in guttering, quiet side alleys and at the foot of walls. In a village like Byfield they are prolific and often very colorful.

Common Corn Salad. Bell Lane, Byfield, 14 April, 2014

  
Common Corn Salad, Valerianella locusta, was once a rather scarce plant in Northants but has become far more widespread in recent years and is frequent at the foot of walls in Byfield. At a quick glance it could easily be mistaken for a Forget-me-not but a closer look shows numerous differences. It was once gathered from cornfields and used as a salad plant. An alternative name is Lamb's Lettuce.

A closer look reveals dainty five-petalled flowers. As mentioned in an earlier blog, this member of the Valerianaceae is not often eaten nowadays, despite being easy to grow, but contains high levels of Vitamin C and iron.




Forget-me-nots (Myosotis species) occur in the village at the base of walls on the A361.

Myosotis sylvatica at the base of a wall in Byfield.
15 April, 2014

 



In this case the species is Wood Forget-me-not and here it is a garden escape. It is widely naturalised across the county and wider afield.




 

Procumbent Yellow-sorrel. Bell Lane, Byfield.
14 April, 2014

The Corn Salad was photographed at the foot of a wall in Bell Lane, Byfield, and only a metre or so away was another plant of interest. With its pretty yellow flowers the Procumbent Yellow-sorrel, Oxalis corniculata. is very attractive. Do not introduce it into your garden! It seeds prolifically and has become a real nuisance in borders, rock gardens and so on.

Greater Celandine, Chelidonium majus.
Bell Lane, Byfield. 14 April, 2014

Greater Celandine, the subject of a previous blog (2 May, 2013), is now in bloom. This is a member of the Poppy Family (and thus only distantly related to the common Lesser Celandine); it is common around Byfield but generally in a multi-petalled form as distinct from the four-petalled "wild" form. Pretty though the flowers are it is hardly a garden-worthy plant. It is one of those plant which has oily seeds, dispersed by ants.




As is quite clear, the base of walls provides a congenial  home for many plant species. Many are annuals, often seeding prolifically. A case in point is the Shining Crane's-bill. Geranium lucidum.

Shining Crane's-bill beside the A361.
Byfield, 15 April, 2014

With its shiny leaves (often red-tinged), reddish stems and neat pink flowers it is easily recognised. In Byfield it grows prolifically where New Terrace meets the A361, but is common generally.






Various members of the Mint Family are also to be found in a similar situation. Three are all closely related: Lamium album, Lamium purpureum and Lamium maculatum. This genus gives its name to the family, the Lamiaceae.

White Dead-nettle, Church Street, Byfield.
16 April, 2014

This close-up of White Dead-nettle, Lamium album, shows the characteristic structure of the flowers. Each flower has bilateral symmetry (botanists use the term zygomorphic) and is designed for pollination by bees. Although found in many natural-looking habitats it is generally regarded as an archaeophyte - a plant probably introduced by man but many centuries ago.

Red Dead-nettle at the foot of a wall.
Byfield, 16 April, 2014 

Red Dead-nettle, Lamium purpureum, is also an archaeophyte and I cannot recall ever seeing it in anything other than obviously man-made sites.  Like virtually all members of the Lamiaceae its leaves have a pungent odour when rubbed. (Lavender, sage and thyme are all in this large family.) Both this and the previous species may be found flowering in the depths of winter.

Lamium maculatum near Holy Cross Church.
Byfield, 16 April, 2014

The Spotted Dead-nettle, Lamium maculatum, is a neophyte, and is a garden escape not recorded in Northants prior to 1905. The common name is hardly appropriate as the leaves are generally striped rather than spotted. This native of central and southern Europe is very frequently seen in gardens but sometimes becomes a problem, spreading only too freely.



It will be noted that, with the exception of Shining Crane's-bill, all these plants are introductions, either from the distant past - when they may have been introduced by neolithic farmers as grain impurities - or relatively recent times. To quote Sir Edward Salisbury: "...many, and indeed perhaps most, weeds are either known to be introductions or are under suspicion of having been such."  Two obvious exceptions to this rule are Perennial Stinging Nettle and Blackberry Brambles, native plants which are thugs if not ruthlessly controlled. However, as they are not often found at the foot of walls they are of only parenthetic interest.

I have picked out just a handful of the more colorful weeds of Byfield's byways. In my self-indulgent way I may be moved to deal with more 'in the fullness of time'.