What have I seen on Hogweed? - A diary of wildlife on Banstead Downs

A favourite of many pollinators

2 hoverflies on Common Hogweed

left, male Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax), and female Batman Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) both on Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 5 Jun 2026

Common Greenbottle [Lucilia sericata]

female L. sericata on Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 5 Jun 2026

Yellow-legged Mining Bee [Andrena flavipes?]

Female on Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 28 Jun 2025

Cream-spot Ladybird [Calvia quatuordecimguttata]

Adult on Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 16 Jul 2021

Ladybird Fly [Gymnosoma rotundatum]

G. rotundatum tachinid fly on Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 5 Jun 2026

Common Red Soldier Beetle [Rhagonycha fulva]

Adult on Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) – Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 05 Jul 2021

2 hoverflies on Common Hogweed

left, female Long Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta), and female Bare-eyed Halfband (Melangyna labiatarum) both on Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 5 Jun 2026

Common Red Soldier Beetle [Rhagonycha fulva]

Mating pair on Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) – Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 09 Jul 2021

Pearly Green Lacewing [Chrysopa perla]

C. perla lacewing on a Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) leaf - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 5 Jun 2026

Striped Shieldbug [Graphosoma italicum]

Adult on shrivelled leaf of Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 03 Jul 2025

2 wasps on Common Hogweed

left, Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp (Cerceris rybyensis), and an ichneumonid wasp (possibly Cosmoconus sp.) both on Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 5 Jun 2026

Hornet Hoverfly [Volucella zonaria]

Male on Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 03 Aug 2021

Ladybird Fly [Gymnosoma rotundatum]

Adult on Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 11 Jul 2025

7-spot Ladybird [Coccinella septempunctata]

Adults on Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 11 Jul 2025

Buffish Mining Bee [Andrena nigroaenea]

female A. nigroaenea on Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium); note tiny Anaspis maculata false flower beetle at right - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 10 Jun 2026

Dark-winged Flesh Fly [Nyctia halterata]

Male on Hogweed (Heracleum_sphondylium) - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 12 Jul 2022

Black-striped Longhorn Beetle [Stenurella melanura]

Female on Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 07 Jun 2025

Common Green Tenthredo [Tenthredo mesomela]

T. mesomela on Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) flowers - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 13 Jun 2026

Box-headed Blood Bee [Sphecodes monilicornis]

Adult on Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 11 Jul 2021

Box-headed Blood Bee [Sphecodes monilicornis]

Adult on Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) - Location : Banstead Downs, Surrey, England – Date of image : 11 Jul 2021