Eye on Nature

I have noticed large numbers of seven-spot ladybirds in urban gardens, a lot more than usual for the time of year.
Rosaleen Fleming
Kimmage, Dublin

I wonder what the aphid population is.

An impressive spider has taken up residence in my workshop. From tip to tip he must be 50mm. Is he one of the false widow spiders? He is so imposing that I'm not inclined to disturb him .
Lorcan Leavy
Charlestown, Co Mayo

From your photograph she is Tegenaria gigantica , the giant house spider . Her bite is not harmful. She lives outside in summer.

I'm sending you a photograph of many snails gathered in a rock crevice on the Silver Strand in Co Mayo. Their colour, markings and shells were almost the same as the rock. I assume they were camouflaged and mating.
Bryan Mitchell
Louisburgh, Co Mayo

They are common land snails, Cepaea nemoralis , hibernating in the crevice. Normally banded brown and yellow, their shells are abraded by the sand. They emerge on the vegetation to mate.

Michael Viney welcomes observations at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Please include a postal address