Owlfly

I wish we had Owlflies in the UK. They fly like a combination of dragonflies and butterflies, and perch with their massive clubbed antennae held out prominently.

Owlfly - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

It’s amusing trying to get a photograph of them, as they will only rest when the sun is obscured by clouds. As soon as the sun comes out they’re up and off hunting for small flies. They use ultra-violet vision to see their prey and can’t identify their meal without bright sunshine.

Oh yes. Perhaps that explains why they haven’t colonised the UK.

Here’s the last time I saw them:

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