Summer buzz

Despite all the rain that has come down this summer there is enough time and opportunity to get out and about. Dry and sunny weather immediately has an effect, not just on me, but also on the insects buzzing around. With so many of our insects under threat in the countryside, the (sub)urban landscape can provide a safe haven. This does mean that local authorities defer from using chemicals as pest control and education of residents who startle at every creepy crawly that dares to come close. Rather than trying to destroy all insects in our living environment we should celebrate these little creatures as natures little helpers that provide us with many a variety of fruit and vegetables.

Most people know of bees, but hoverflies are less well known. They are often mistaken for bees and wasps as a result of their appearance. This is the intention of this mimicry: these stingless insect posing as their stinging lookalikes. The insect on the right, however, isn't posing but is a genuine wasp, that is trying to steal nectar from a Meadow pea.

Real bees and bumblebees have a waist, something flies and hoverflies lack. The difference becomes clear by comparing the two outer pictures. On the right a large hoverfly is feeding on the flowers of Mint. On the left a bumblebee is doing the same on the flowers of Marjoram. How pollination works can be seen in the middle where a bumblebee is completely covered in pollen from a large thistle.

The only insects that are allowed to come nearby most people are butterflies. Almost everyone loves these colourful insect. The caterpillars that proceed the butterflies are seen in less favourable light however. The most common butterflies where I live are: Small White (left), Speckled Wood (middle) and Small Tortoiseshell (right). I haven't seen many of the normally abundant Peacock butterflies this year though...