Angelica est arrivé

The annual opening of the Angelica is a time to rejoice: the readily-available nectar is a major food resource for many insects, especially those with shorter tongues. Over the next few weeks I expect to photograph bees, wasps, ichneumonids, Ectemnius wasps, moths, beetles, sawflies and butterflies, many of them sharing the large flowerheads. This is a close-up of the social wasp Dolichovespula norwegica, which builds its nest in trees:

Dolichovespula sp. wasps appear to have a 'long face', which can be readily confirmed by the gap between the eye and the jaw.

Episyrphus balteatus is one of the more recognisable hoverflies, due to the unique 'twin-bar' marks on the abdomen:

Having recently shown the White Plume moth, it's nice to show the much more common Emmelina monodactyla plume for comparison:
(These also feed on Convolvulus sp. bindweed)

Family associations are a feature today. This is Udea lutealis, a very common relative of the Udea olivalis micromoth that I showed the other day:

I always think that ferns make an excellent background for insect photos.

Happy birthday, dad

Emmelina monodactyla is one of the Plume Moths. These have wings that retract like a venetian blind when the moth has landed. A system of hooks and eyes keeps the wings in shape when in flight. I haven't worked out a benefit for this complex system, other than a very narrow profile when resting.


Another Episyrphus balteatus hoverfly that initially appeared to be looking for aphids, but this one was nectaring on the recently-opened Meadowsweet.


Greater birds-foot Trefoil has opened. I used to think that I had some Greater mixed amongst the ordinary, but every specimen that I have examined locally turns out to be Greater. Ordinary Birds-foot Trefoil is earlier and, in my experience, more coastal.