I'll start this years thread off with a couple of insects from a walk in the woods with my homemade beating sheet & a stick
a few 12-spot ladybirds
& a sleepy Weevil that I think is Lixus pulverulentus
Last years thread is here https://community.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/f/all-creatures/206718/all-about-insects-2020
Best wishes
Hazel in the Gironde estuary, France
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Lovely photos Noisette, and thank you for setting up the new thread for 2021.
While its a little early here for many insects, the usual midges and flies are around, even though the temps are below 5ºC!
I'm not sure if this fly is resting, or getting some heat from the sun before moving on to its next port of call....
Mike
Flickr Peak Rambler
In case you missed it I came across this interesting piece on the BBC website about Bog Beetles ! Will try to remember to tune in tonight to hear more. Beetlemania taking on a new meaning lol
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Regards, Hazel
"Each kindness shown to birds or men is sure to flutter back again"
Thanks for that Hazy, will try & watch it tonight. Anything in Peat Bogs is usually really well preseved but even so, the state of the beetles after almost 4000 years is amazing. I've had the beetle too (I think) , attracted to my moth trap one night & it was quite big.
In reply to HAZY:
Just spotted I think Red tailed queen Bumble bee, she tumbled off the leaf above her head but then clung on withjust one leg
Yes it's good to see the bees around, especially as the broad beans are all in flower. A little 7-spot ladybird flew across my path when we were out this afternoon
No photos, but spotted a white tailed bumble bee flew past the kitchen window. Well, it is quite mild out today, and fingers crossed for more sightings throughout the coming months.
My first bee photo for 2021. Though I couldn't quite see its tail, it looked like a white tailed bumblebee
I've spotted the odd queen bee about, but this is the first insect photograph I've managed.
Possibly a male Tawny Mining Bee and one of several in a nice sunny spot. Maybe they were just after the sun or perhaps they know there are females underground there and about to emerge.
I didn't really have the right lens with me, but there's no escape, I'll soon have to dust off the macro and start carrying it. Oh well, I suppose the extra weight helps keep in tone the few muscles I have!
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Nige Flickr