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The habitat
at Withymead, with the River
Thames and its inlets on one
side and the chalk downlands on
the other, supports a range of
insects and larvae providing an
abundance of food for the bird
population.
Throughout the warmer months,
insects can include May bugs and
stag beetles, ladybirds and
grasshoppers. Butterflies and
moths indigenous to the
chalkland area have been spotted
and entomologists from the
Reading and District Natural
History Society (http://www.rdnhs.org.uk)
carry out an annual survey.
Dragonfly or Damselfly?
Being near the river,
dragonflies and damselflies can
be seen during the summer months
flitting across the water or
through the reedbeds. They are
valuable predators, eating
midges, mosquitoes and other
small insects. Dragonflies can
fly at speeds of between 19 and
38 mph (30 and 60 km/h) and are
thought to be the fastest flying
insect.
Damselflies are usually slim,
with their forewings and
hindwings narrow at the base and
their eyes set apart. Most
species hold their wings above
the abdomen when they are at
rest. Dragonflies are larger
with the eyes joined together.
The forewings and hindwings are
different in shape and when they
are resting the wings are
usually spread. Even though they
have six legs, dragonflies are
unable to walk.
To arrange a visit phone
01491
872265 or email
info@withymead.co.uk |
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