Posted on by sarahjwm

Swarming Bees in my Garden

We recently started keeping bees in our garden and during this hot weather one of them swarmed. It was amazing to watch, and to see them walk up into their new home in such an orderly manner.

The swarm walking up into their new hive. We use Quadratic Hives which have a similar interior shape to a hollow tree.

Bees signalling by opening their Nasonov gland gland (the white area on their abdomen) and fanning their wings vigorously, to call all the other bees to the new hive entrance.

The swarm was shaken onto the bottom of the sheet. They then walk up into the new hive. The speed they walk up is amazing

Posted on by sarahjwm

Monday’s bugs in the Rose Garden

The rose gardens at RHS Rosemore near Torrington, Devon are now at their peak. I went to look at what bug life they were supporting and found something I didn’t expect.

When I first saw this I couldn’t make out what I was looking at, it was tiny and I didn’t have my glasses. When I looked at my photos later I realised it was a bright green spider eating a fly.
These hover flies in their striking livery were really enjoying the roses

There were also a large number of tiny flies in amongst the stamens
A patch of Euphorbia attracted a variety of flying insects. The wings are beautifully iridescent

You can just see the wings as it takes flight, its legs heavy with pollen.

Posted on by sarahjwm

Thursday’s garden – leaving home from the pond

I love wandering around my pond in waders, just watching the tiny insects in the sunshine. Today I watched a damsel fly drying its wings after leaving its chrysalis.

The Damsel’s wings are still folded and damp after emerging from the chrysalis on the left
It is making it’s way slowly to the top of the water lilly leaf to get into the sunlight
Its wings have now uncrumpled
Slowly spreading out its wings to fully dry in the breeze
Nearly ready. What a face!
Nearby a water boatman was hanging from the meniscus with its jaws just below the surface. How scary would that be if he was larger and you looked down to see those eyes staring back at you?
Meanwhile this water beetle was skating across the surface
And a different type of water beetle was crazily rushing about in ever increasing circles

Posted on by sarahjwm

Wednesday’s flowers – A wet June day in an RHS garden

We cycled over to visit RHS Rosemore Gardens near Torrington, Devon this morning, which is beautiful even on a wet June day.

Liriodendron Tulipifera a tall specimen tree with these tulip like flowers high up on its branches
Astrantia major or Master wort. Fascinating flower structure close up
I love the iridescent wings and massive eyes of this hover fly
Candelabra primula by the lake
Wonderful green reflecting the light while walking over a watering can