This Blog covers nature sightings and related news in the Calderdale area.
It includes all groups - Plants, animals and fungi with links to specialist sites.
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Sunday 23 August 2015

Robin's Pin Cushion Gall

Robin's Pin Cushion is a gall found on Common Dog Rose (Rosa canina)
It is caused by the Bedeguar Wasp (Diplolepis rosae)
Several larvae overwinter in the gall, each in their own chamber.


This one I spotted in Elland


Earlier in the day
Steve and I went to look for the Sea Campion (Silene uniflora) in Godley Cutting.


A native of cliffs, it is quite at home on the steep sides of the cutting.


Then in the afternoon I came across this Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris) on the tow-path.


I've recently found other interesting Silene species while surveying North Loop.


Small-flowered Catch-fly (Silene gallica var anglica)


Night-flowering Catchfly (Silene noctiflora)


The petals curl in during the day.

And just for good measure here is the Hybrid of Red and White Campion
Occasionally found where the two species grow together.


(Silene latifolia x dioica = S. x hampeana)

2 comments:

  1. Nice pictures Steve. Had a look for the Dark Red Helleborine at Elland, still a few about

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  2. Thanks Michael.
    I found a Helleborine in the stretch of woodland between North Loop and the Canal on Friday.
    The area is becoming overgrown with Balsam though.

    ReplyDelete