In the Brambles

Posted by Redgannet July 13, 2021

In the Brambles

At the Gore Court Gate and in the Dead Tree Clearing, are patches of Brambles, Rubus fruiticosus. They are adjacent to the path and very easy to observe. In the clearing, the sun comes around the trees during mid-morning and warms the insects there.

Marmalade Hoverfly

Identifying insects from a standing start can be a daunting project. There are around 27,000 species in the UK, many of which can't be confidently separated from similar species without detailed inspection of their genitalia.

Thick-legged Flower Beetle (male)

The internet can be a very useful reference, but I can't bring myself to use "genitalia" in the search box.

Speckled Bush-cricket

As cold-blooded creatures, insects have to take a few moments each morning to heat up. Brambles are a favourite sanctuary for many of them and they night be seen basking on a leaf or visiting a flower for a pick-me-up shot of nectar.

Western Honey Bee Apis mellifera

As the flowers have opened over the last few weeks, they have proved very attractive to the the insects and most obviously, to the bees. Honey bees are abundant as are, bumble bees or perhaps some of the potential 250 species of solitary bee that we can boast from Britain.

Forest Cuckoo Bee Bombus sylvestris

At least 2 species of cuckoo bumblebee have been noted so far. As the name might lead you to guess, cuckoo bumblebees lay their eggs in the nest of others. Solitary bees will have their egg ousted or, even more macabre, left as food for the developing cuckoo.

Vestal Cuckoo Bee Bombus vestalis

Bees are vegetarian, but there are always predators on the lookout for a cold, sluggish snack. This honey bee appeared to be resting until I looked again.