All about insects 2021

Nicely coloured bugs to kickstart the new year, thanks H!

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....

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

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.

That's an impressive looking beetle Hazel ! As you say peat bogs are amazing for preserving 4000 year old beetles and other stuff; I will have to set a reminder for 8pm as I'm supposed to be on the balcony clapping for covid workers tonight at 8pm as my neighbour downstairs started it up but that only lasts a minute and I'm sure the bog beetle will not be in the very first minute of the program lol

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!