Bug people. Lend me your eyes.
Discussion
The butterfly, I think our fellow Allotment Butterfly hunter Martin will be able to tell me.
But what is the other insect? I had to follow it for quite a while to get a decent shot as it scurried around the heathland floor.
It seemed to be carrying a larvae? It's soon to be tea no doubt. It couldn't fly with it, but had to hold it in it's pincers and scurry about.
Click to unsquish for better viewing.
David
But what is the other insect? I had to follow it for quite a while to get a decent shot as it scurried around the heathland floor.
It seemed to be carrying a larvae? It's soon to be tea no doubt. It couldn't fly with it, but had to hold it in it's pincers and scurry about.
Click to unsquish for better viewing.
David
Edited by Rednut05 on Saturday 18th August 01:48
A couple of cracking piccies there 
I believe the insect in the second picture is a wasp, probably a female.
If I recall, she will have a little burrow type thing in which she'll place the caterpillar (or larvae) in, it is still alive and only stunned with her sting. She'll then lay an egg (or two) inside the living caterpillar which will grow in side it. When the egg hatches, it will burst out Alien style and have a nice warm fresh meal to get stuck into before it leaves the burrow.
I believe the insect in the second picture is a wasp, probably a female.
If I recall, she will have a little burrow type thing in which she'll place the caterpillar (or larvae) in, it is still alive and only stunned with her sting. She'll then lay an egg (or two) inside the living caterpillar which will grow in side it. When the egg hatches, it will burst out Alien style and have a nice warm fresh meal to get stuck into before it leaves the burrow.
1) The butterfly is a Brimstone - Gonepteryx rhanni.
2) The second insect is a type of Digger Wasp - Podalonia hirsuta. As said, it digs holes (mainly on heathland) and stocks them with caterpillars.
Where's my "Smartarse of the year" award?
Martin.
2) The second insect is a type of Digger Wasp - Podalonia hirsuta. As said, it digs holes (mainly on heathland) and stocks them with caterpillars.
Where's my "Smartarse of the year" award?
Martin.
Edited by V6GTO on Saturday 18th August 08:38
V6GTO said:
1) The butterfly is a Brimstone - Gonepteryx rhanni.
2) The second insect is a type of Digger Wasp - Podalonia hirsuta. As said, it digs holes (mainly on heathland) and stocks them with caterpillars.
Where's my "Smartarse of the year" award?
Martin.
Allotment Butterfly Hunter of The Year?2) The second insect is a type of Digger Wasp - Podalonia hirsuta. As said, it digs holes (mainly on heathland) and stocks them with caterpillars.
Where's my "Smartarse of the year" award?
Martin.
Edited by V6GTO on Saturday 18th August 08:38
I'll make up a gold star.
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff