An Umbel Life

For the last three days, a large Hogweed flower in the garden has been providing food for a very large population of hoverflies, wasps and beetles, some very small like this Eumerus hoverfly treading on an even smaller Carpet beetle. (IDs on final image).

Life on Comfrey and Alkanet

The Alkanet and White Comfrey are in full bloom in the garden and provide home and food to a very large variety of species. Here are a few. The Rhingia rostrata has very impressive mouthparts for slurping up nectar!

Activity After the Rain

As well as the expected snail activity, there were quite a few insects that became active once the rain had eased off. The Bee Grabber fly was waiting patiently near the comfrey flowers for a passing Bumble Bee to jump onto and get taken back to the bee nest where it will lay its eggs. The larvae then consume the bee larvae food and the larvae themselves. A new plant bug Dicyphus bolivari? and some strange antics by the Long-Jawed Orb Spider - need another opinion on what is going on - ? shed skin or the end of a brief encounter with a male!!

Bugs, Bees, Beetle and Butterfly

As the cooler moist air arrived yesterday afternoon, a lot of insects became active especially various leaf bugs - some new to my list for the garden!!. Still lots of Bees and Wasp species plus a very small beetle, first Comma butterfly and a large number of Hoverflies!