Buff-tailed bumblebee

Hi Readers, I have, of course, decided on a new way to revise for my biology exam with just one day to go, which involves going through everything again. Hooray! But I did take literally five minutes to pop outside – the lavender is just opening, and so the bees have discovered it, along with a number of other ‘friends’, like this Rosemary beetle ( I get them every year and the lavender seems to be surviving, so fingers crossed.)

And then a few of my favourite ginger bees turned up – Common Carders. A bit faster than the bigger bumbles, but they have the longest flying season of all the common species. They’ll still be flying around in October if the weather holds. They seem particularly partial to the purple toadflax, which has self-seeded all over the garden.

And here’s a ladybird larva, a harlequin I suspect but still a spiky tiger as far as the blackfly are concerned

And then there’s this little bee, with its yellow face, shiny red ‘fur’ and whizzy nature. I am waiting for some help on what species s/he is, so will report back when I hear! And in the meantime, don’t forget to go outside for a walk. Guaranteed to help with whatever ails you.