Paphos Life

Had a short drive around the Paphos Sewage Works earlier & came across a group of Red-veined Darters
Shane

Lovely photos Shane!

I had one of these around the pool for ages, I think he got used to me and after a long time he allowed me to stroke one of his wings very gently. I was in the pool so, eye to eye, I knew he could see me. After about three strokes he flew off and disappeared, that was around 3 weeks ago and he’s not been back since! I thought that was quite special but obviously he didn’t! I’ve got a blue one now flying around but he/she hasn’t landed yet. X

The blue ones you have flying about now are either Epaulet Skimmers or Keeled Skimmers but it is not easy to tell them apart especially as they are only 2 or 3 cms long!


Shane

Hi Shane

I so admire your entomology knowledge. I have seen a very pretty butterfly flying around, too quick to get a photo. It is bright yellow and has heavy black markings/stripes. Can you advise me of name please? Thank you X

It's probably a Common Swallowtail Papilio machaon, there are plenty on the wing at the moment.
Shane

If you mean this one Aphrodite, I am also interested to know the name..



Max

Thank you Shane.

And Max, that is the exact same butterfly and the same bush it was flying around!

and is ever so colourful....the Swallowtail... Thanks for the answer Shane!



Max

Hi Shane

Can you help me with those small flies shaped like stealth bombers who seem to get in everywhere despite the fly screens! They drive me insane, especially when my cat decides to chase one around in the middle of the night! What are they and is there anything I can do or use to stop me bashing the life out of them and leaving marks on the wall. I don’t like killing things, but when it comes to spiders, cockroaches and mozzies I have no choice!

Back to the topic: which dragonfly is this one then Shane, please...



Max

aphrodite wrote: ↑Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:40 pm Hi Shane

Can you help me with those small flies shaped like stealth bombers who seem to get in everywhere despite the fly screens! They drive me insane, especially when my cat decides to chase one around in the middle of the night! What are they and is there anything I can do or use to stop me bashing the life out of them and leaving marks on the wall. I don’t like killing things, but when it comes to spiders, cockroaches and mozzies I have no choice!

Do you mean those tiny triangular shaped ones? If so, I don't know what they are but will try and find out?


Shane

Max, you've got a male Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombii, they are one of the commonest dragonflies on the island!


Shane

Thanks Shane, I thought that they are common in Cyprus as I can see them all summer around my pool...

Max

aphrodite wrote: ↑Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:40 pm Hi Shane

Can you help me with those small flies shaped like stealth bombers who seem to get in everywhere despite the fly screens! They drive me insane, especially when my cat decides to chase one around in the middle of the night! What are they and is there anything I can do or use to stop me bashing the life out of them and leaving marks on the wall. I don’t like killing things, but when it comes to spiders, cockroaches and mozzies I have no choice!

There is a nice link from a German site with hundreds of good pics from flies....(3 pages !)
http://www.insektenbox.de/zweifl.htm

Max