Another Knottman Nature Blip

Went to the bird reserve this morning. From two of the major hides overlooking a large lagoon there was not a single bird of any kind to be seen.

So I had to look elsewhere for a blip. Along the reserve footpaths there are a good number of Guelder Rose trees. Viburnum opulus. It soon became apparent that they were being attacked by the larvae of the Viburnum Beetle which is shown on my main blip.

My first extra shows how the leaves are left as skeletons. Later in the Summer the larvae turn into Viburnum Beetles which continue to damage the leaves and lay large numbers of eggs which in turn will become larvae next April.

The Beetle can badly damage other Viburnums and is much disliked by gardeners.

For any of you who don’t like looking at larvae I have included a second extra which shows that the Flags are flying.