I think this hoverfly, that had a conspicuously loud buzz and frequently returned to the same sunny spot when disturbed, is a narcissus fly Merodon equestris. Probably its larvae are even now feeding on our daffodil bulbs.
An azure damselfly that hatched from our garden pond - didn't know until then that they were breeding there
A large hoverfly, identified for me by Africa Gomez as Myathropa florea
A sawfly Arge ustulata, whose larvae feed on the leaves of various hedgerow trees and shrubs
Two froghopper larvae that were inadvertently separated from their frothy 'cuckoo spit' when I was weeding the garden. They quickly blew some more bubbles.
An exquisitely metallic hoverfly soldier fly with interference colours in its eyes (thanks to Africa Gomez for the ID)
The solitary bee Osmia rufa collecting pollen and nectar from the poached egg plant Limnanthes douglasii. You can see here how they collect pollen on the underside of their abdomen. Thanks to Africa Gomez for the correct ID.
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Hi Phil,
ReplyDeleteI've come from Amanda's Quiet Walker blog because a few weeks back you left her a comment explaining how to produce more Cuckoo Flower from the Basal Leaf. I took your advice and now have three new small shoots. My question is- what should I do with them next? At the moment they are sitting on top of some damp compost in a small plastic bag attached to the basal leaf, but I'm thinking they should be moved. I don't want to make a mistake so really hoping you can give me some advice. Many thanks in advance. CT.
Hi CT, Mine have come on quite a lot since I posted these pictures http://cabinetofcuriosities-greenfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/propagating-ladys-smock-for-orange-tip.html
ReplyDeleteEach plant now has a couple of well-developed leaves and is well rooted so I've taken the bags off and exposed them to the greenhouse conditions and in a day or two will separate them and pot them up singly, then transplant them into a spot with moist soil in the garden. I managed to get about 20 plants from one leaf! Good luck with yours.
Thanks Phil, that's a huge help. And a very interesting post you wrote on the subject too. Will look forward to reading more :-)
DeleteThanks!
DeleteA stunning cast! The large hoverfly is Myathropa florea, quite distinctive, although related to Eristalis. The metallic hoverfly I think is a Soldier fly and the last bee is Osmia rufa, from the same family as leaf-cutters, Megachilidae, sharing the pollen brush under their abdomen.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Africa - as you can see, I've been struggling with the identity of some of these!
DeleteSuper images Phil; isn't Africa marvellous at ID?
ReplyDeleteShe's brilliant -I'm a bit wayward in that department!
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