Humblebumblebee

posted in: Bees, Invertebrates, Worcestershire | 0

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term “humble-bee” predates the use of the word “bumblebee” – the former having first appeared in print in 1450, and the latter in 1530 – but they were then used almost interchangeably until … Continued

Citizen science

posted in: Bees, Invertebrates, Worcestershire | 0

Well, this is exciting. To me, at any rate: I get quite fizzy whenever I’m able to add a new species to my life list, and this is one I never expected to encounter in the Shire. It’s a Four-banded … Continued

Tasty

I’ve arrived home to a mountainous backlog of administrative tasks that mostly needed dealing with several weeks ago, and this morning I vowed to spend all day at my desk, getting stuck in. Fortunately, R has known me for four and … Continued

Swanky forelegs

posted in: Bees, Invertebrates, My garden, Worcestershire | 0

“You know I’ve been going on about that bee with the swanky forelegs?” I said to R. “Well, I finally got some shots of him, and I’m trying to decide which one to use. Look at this.” “Oh yes,” said … Continued

Stocky

posted in: Bees, Invertebrates, My garden, Worcestershire | 0

Of the seven species of leafcutter bee found in the UK, Willughby’s Leafcutter (Megachile willughbiella) is the most widespread, and probably the easiest to identify. Males are about 12mm long, with pale faces and the short, square abdomen that’s common … Continued

Garden Bumblebee

posted in: Bees, Invertebrates, My garden, Worcestershire | 0

Bombus hortorum is one of the most common bumblebees in the UK. It’s also one of the biggest, with queens coming in at close to 2cm in length, and males and workers at around 1.5cm. It’s commonly called the Garden … Continued

Ruby

I was all set to post something else today – a fresh male Large Skipper resting open-winged on the montbretia in the front garden was probably favourite, though there were a few other candidates too – when I spotted the … Continued