This is the carry on thread from "All about Insects 2018" here https://community.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/f/all-creatures/196071/all-about-insects-2018
I had a lovely Minotaur Beetle around the UV trap this morning, my first ever!
Apparantly this is their time of year!
All insects, spiders, beetles, flies etc etc welcome,
Best wishes
Hazel in Southwest France
__________
Nige Flickr
Last week, I came across a woman photographer holding this, perched on a stick. Neither of us had a clue what it was, although it was vaguely wasp-like, big, slightly larger than a queen bee, a little forbidding and, I thought, oddly exotic. After she had finished, I put it in the sun and took a few photos hoping to identify it later. I failed. In fact, I thought it might have travelled back in the luggage compartment of a European coach trip or something similar.
Today, I had to look up a Sawfly ID and what was the first thing I found … yes, this big beastie. I never dreamt it might have been a Sawfly. Apparently, it is a Birch Sawfly, which is completely native and quite harmless despite the appearance. After it warmed up in the sun a bit, it flew off a little clumsily.
Typically, the Sawfly I wanted to ID (below), I couldn't! Too many similar ones that don't quite match everything, from leg colour to black marks on the wings. Odd the way things go, isn't it ...
_________________________________________________________________________
Regards, Hazel
I do that all the time Nigel, hunting for one thing & spot the ID of something else. Handy though, reduces the numbers in the mystery folder from time to time! LOL Did you check out the Agridae Arge sp for the yellow/orange one? Have a look here www.galerie-insecte.org/.../Fam_Argidae_01.html
Today at Arne
and a peacock butterfly, that I've not seen in years
Lots of damselfies and bees enjoying the sunshine yesterday; I think this is a Tawny Mining Bee Common Carder Bee (my grateful thanks to Nige for correct ID)
Very nice photos
Unknown said:I think this is a Tawny Mining Bee but stand to be corrected !
Unfortunately, I will have to correct you! I know you have Tawny's in the garden as you have put up photos before but they aren't the commonest red bees. Tawny's have completely black faces. These are Common Carder bees which are one of the common 7 or 8 social bumblebees, so you will certainly have them in the garden too.