Standing up for Nature
Paul writes: I’ve seen a lot in the press lately about an invasion of horseflies, due to the hot weather. Also lots of advice about how to avoid them. I must be one of the few people who actually hope to find one, especially a female. One look at the eyes in this photograph…
Paul writes: Robberflies, as the name suggests, are predatory flies and their main source of food is other insects. They usually perch up, waiting for a suitable victim, then once found make a flying hop onto the prey. The flies have a short strong proboscis, which they use to stab their kill and inject it…
Paul writes: I found this moth in my garden last week. I had run a moth trap overnight and next morning found this one nearby. It must have been attracted to the light and then settled down to rest up for the day. It’s a stunning moth and instantly recognisable with the black spots on…
This beautifully coloured wasp usually appears at this time of year exploring the bee hotel in my garden. Ruby-tailed Wasps, also called Jewell Wasps, parasitize the nests of solitary bees and wasps. The female enters the host’s nest and lays an egg in each cell, the lava will then eat the egg or young larva…
Paul writes: I had a quick check through my insect records and found I have seen over 20 different hoverfly species feeding on Dandelions. Here are two beauties I have seen recently. Unfortunately neither have English names but I think they both deserve to be better recognised. The yellow and black one is Chrysotoxum arcuatum,…