I first spotted this Hornet Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) in the garden yesterday on Astrantia flowers but by the time I had fetched the camera it had gone. Luckily, it returned today and I managed to get a few record shots.
It looks like a stinging hornet but is actually quite harmless. The mimicry helps to protect the hoverfly from predators, such as birds.
The Hornet Hoverfly first colonised England in the 1940's. Initially, it was rare and confined to the south and south-east but climate change and warming temperatures have resulted in it moving northwards and it has now been spotted in Cheshire.
Its larvae live in the nests of social wasps in a symbiotic relationship where the larvae keep the nest clean by feeding on debris and rubbish.
Apart from the fact that Astrantia has attracted this new garden hoverfly "tick", I have fallen totally in love with it. I first spotted it last year at Coughton Court where I bought this plant. Colours of the flowers vary from white, to light pink, mid pink and a beautiful deep pink. I would love a border full of this and Cosmos.
Marjoram has started to flower and today attracted a pair of Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithinus) butterflies.
A photo of one of the butterflies on Cranesbill Geranium leaves
Marjoram flowers
Last year I also bought an Echinacea Razzmatazz from one of the NT properties I visited - the flowers are a real delight :)
I still haven't managed to get a photo this year of Leaf Cutter bees but here you can see they are using the new bee "hotel"
We've had a lot of rain overnight recently so I haven't put the moth trap out but here a few moths from when I last trapped.
Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta)
Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) - New for Year
Marbled Beauty (Bryophila domestica0
Mottled Rustic (Caradrina morpheus) - New for Year
Scalloped Oak (worn!) (Crocallis elonguaria0
Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor )
Nice shots, good to see the bees using the hotel.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ian - haven't been able to get photos of the bees yet this year actually going in and out!
DeleteInteresting stuff about the hornet hoverfly :-) I will have to remember to keep an eye out for it as it seems to be continuing to spread northwards.
ReplyDeleteThe Gatekeeper is a nice garden tick, I have only seen them in ours on just a handful of occasions, though they are quite uncommon east of the Yorkshire Wolds for whatever reason. Nice moths too, though for whatever reason I only seem to get SS Darts in the spring and very rarely in the summer. The Marbled Beauty is a right champion specimen :-)
Kindest regards :-)
Thanks very much David. I thought I saw one of the Hornet Hoverflies last year when we were in a wood but wasn't sure so I was really pleased to find one in the garden! Would love to know if you spot one in Yorkshire.
DeleteWe do get quite a few Gatekeepers in the garden although rarely Meadow Brown. I love the little Marbled Beauties too - they again can be common in my trap.
I don't think we have really been in the garden for a week now, nice to see you have some hoverflies , I think there has been very few about this year. Wanted to see a Leaf Cutter bees, they have been visiting but not spotted, so nice they are using the bug hotel, might have to move the ones in the back garden to a sunny spot, but ones in front are doing well.
ReplyDeleteMissing putting the trap out :(
Amanda xx
Thanks Amanda - weather here hasn't been very good over the last week apart from last Saturday and parts of yesterday and my trap hasn't been out either now for about 2 weeks! I imagine you can't wait to be able to put yours out again!!
DeleteLeaf cutter bees seem to prefer the bee hotels in sunny spots - have seen several going in and out but very difficult to get a photo though I have managed in past years. I don't think I have seen a mason bee here though - I did to do some more research into these bee species. Can't wait for the RC Lewington book to come out - somehow have to find a way to buy it without OH finding out!!:)
Oh cool you had an Elephant Hawkmoth too! And those Scalloped Oaks seems to be getting about (just seen one on CT's blog too). Love that hoverfly - I don't think I've seen that one. I like Astrantia too but my white one self seeds annoyingly all over the place.
ReplyDeleteReally interesting to see the work of the leaf cutter bees in your bee hotel. I've never had any use my bee hotel. :-)
Thanks Mandy. Pleased too with the Elephant Hawkmoth as I only usually trap a few each year. You had a superb collection of moths in your trap - so pleased for you.
DeleteI was trying to find out if you could grow Astrantia from seed and I am sure I read somewhere that many of the more colourful ones (the hybrids) can revert back or self-seed as the white form which occurs in the wild. It is so pretty though and certainly attracts pollinators :)
I keep hoping I might get some mason bees but haven't seen any yet.
We've had lots of different hoverflies in the garden this year..more than we've ever seen. Good to see the bee hotel being used :o)
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie. Not so many hoverflies around now that its gone so cool and wet but we had loads during the warmer, sunnier weather. Golden Rod in the garden is just coming into the flower and that always attracts them :)
DeleteWhat a SUPERB Elephant Hawk-moth! We were told today that a rather seedy willow on a nature reserve had been suffering from Goat moth. We didn't see one, but enjoyed sightings of two Longhorn beetles and much else beside. I'm glad your insect hotel has grateful residents! Thank you for your kind comment on my TF post.
ReplyDeleteThanks Caroline - they are rather gorgeous moths :) Good to hear that you had some good sightings at a nature reserve :) Great month for insects!!
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