Garden insects

The garden is heaving with aphid at the moment and as a consequence masses of insects feeding on the honeydew. The bulk of these are the hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus, which are super abundant, with Common Wasp a poor second but still quite numerous and several Harlequin Ladybirds. There are now increasing numbers of Syrphus and other hoverflies joining in with the odd Scaevia pyrastri mainly on flowers.

Also on flowers are Pyrausta aurata (appropriately known sometimes as Mint Moth) and various bees and wasps.

Episyrphus balteatus


Scaevia pyrastri


Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
f. spectabilis


f. succinea


Pyrausta aurata



Pollen-laden bee