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Insects
Here follows a list of insects that are fairly
prevalent in mountain areas in Eryri. Their presence is not guaranteed,
weather conditions drought, wind etc. can have a big part to play
on whether they are seen.
Dragon-flies
Dragonflies are quite frequent in both lowland and moorland habitats,
the big golden-ringed dragon-fly being the most noticeable upland
species.
Beetles
Beetles may look to be a difficult study; with nearly 4,000 species
in Britain alone. A conspicuous beetle in early spring is the
bright green tiger which flies along in short spurts just in front
of you as you walk along the hill tracks. Then in early summer,
the a little smaller than a cockchafer is a smaller chaffer, the
June Bug. It hatches out of the turf in vast numbers, only to
be gorged upon by a variety of birds. It is reddish in the body
with a metallic green head. Click beetles too are very frequent
in some years in the mountain pastures. In contrast, the amazing
beetle, the glow-worm is only locally frequent in the valleys.
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Bees
Large bumble-bees appear very early on high ground as soon as
winter is over; and in summer wild bees of various kinds are abundant
in the hills, especially in the heather bloom.
Ants
The largest ants, the Wood Ant, which makes huge piled-up rests,
is found in many lowland and semi-upland woodlands of Eryri, in
particular the northern and western areas.
Flying Ants, usually in August, attract
spectacular, acrobatic flights of other birds.The Giant Wood Wasp
(Sirex gigas) is still seen in Eryri; the drone of its massive wings
forewarning of its presence, it is quite harmless though. It is
preyed on by the large Ichneumon Fly.
Crane-flies, or daddy-longlegs, especially
smaller species, can be seen hatching in great numbers in the
moorland turf in spring and summer.
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A rather large, sluggish, black fly is conspicuous in August, especially
on wet heather moors.
This fly (Bibio ponamae) is often seen in great numbers crawling
over the heather, and being a weak flier, often gets blown on to
the surface of lakes and is often eaten by the fish.
Horseflies are at their worst in July. The
commonest and most insidious is the small grey species, Haematopota
pluvialis.
Also profuse and most determined is the mottle-winged species with
extra-brilliant green eyes, Chrysops caecutiens.
The huge Tabanus sudeticus, with a nearly two-inch wingspan is thankfully
much slower to settle and bite than the others and is more easily
beaten off.
Many of these particular beasts are found quite high on the mountains,
so beware.
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