Hoverfly

What a pretty little insect :o) I'm pleased she enjoyed the flower ...
I saw just one bee today - trapped in a spider's web :o(

We had a rather dozy bee in the bulb house going from crocus to crocus. He (?) was going so slowley that one crocus closed up for the night with the bee trapped inside it! Next day the bee carried on, walking between pots.

lovely pics Scottish :-)

Really brilliant photos, Scottish! :)

I think that was ShirleyTulip who explained the difference...well, to me, anyway. :)

That last photo looks like a yellow rubber glove Scottish. Great photos.

Brilliant photos, Scottish ...

Karenfrance - I remember posting a blog about Hoverflies a couple of years ago - wonderful little insects ... :o)

Yes! I knew it was you, Shirley! I love the way they come and "check you out", if you know what I mean? :))

Always remember to keep a Alba Moschata plant near your Brassicas. In the evening the Hoverflies will come to it, then fly over and eat the White Butterfly larvae on the Brassicas - until the 2nd week in September when they go into hibernation. Thats the only time you need to check the leaves. They do it for us !
Amazing how Hoverflies developed their colours, so that the birds would think they were Wasps and leave them alone. They have little brains.
I think Nature is so wonderful.
Dragonflies have survived since the time of the Dinosaors because they spend most of their lives under water.

Know what you mean about being 'checked out' Karen! It freaks my daughter out and she yells at them "What? Go away!" But, luckily, I'm made of calmer stuff so didn't freak out even when being checked out by a large dragonfly - that was amazing! The tip about Alba Moschata near brassicas is a good one, Diane! I shall remember that and, hopefully, be able to do something about my lacey cabbages next year. :o(

Big beautiful dragonflies come into my garden every summer...sadly, they don't stay, though...
My pond is a severe disappointment to them...
...and me...lol!

Wow amazing pictures Scottish, well caught !!!!!!!!
I never knew how to tell the difference between male and female, sure it'll stick in my head now too :-)

I'm grateful for all your lovely comments and glad you enjoyed my pics. I do enjoy finding out about all the different beasties that visit my garden.
There we have it - we all know how to sex hoverflies now thanks to Shirelytulip.
Now I need to encourage the dragonflies - I don't seem to see many beasties flying around the pond.

Thank you for the tip about the malva Diane - does it have to be the white one or do the pink ones work as well?

Bulbhouse full of hoverflies today. Saves me putting on the yellow and brown striped jersey and picking up the paintbrush :-)))

Had a wee giggle there bulba....I hope MG takes her turn :))

I honestly dont know about the Malva Moschata Alba, just that the white variety has always worked for me. Just have to be careful not to destroy the seedlings with the hoe next Spring. They soon grow up, I have to watch for the little round leaves. Thats why I never use a Rotovator.

Do you have any spare seed?

Will have a look when I go down the field, there were some flowers which fell over - I just didnt bother because they seed themselves !

great blog henny!

Cheers Pix xxx

Brilliant photos Scottish :o))

Thanks Annella :)