Signs of Spring today along the coast by Marloes and the Deer Park today. With the sun shining it was quite warm out of the wind and the first Thrift in bloom I have seen this year together with Celandine and Violets pointed to the wonderful show yet to come. Insects were also about with 2 Small Tortoiseshells, and the Bumble Bee and Beetle pictured (no doubt there is someone out there who can identify the species for me). Click photos for larger images.Wheatears and Sand Martins also seen - see Pembrokeshire Birds for details.
Hi Richard,
ReplyDeleteI am sure your bumblebee is not a bumble, but a solitary mining bee of the genus Adrena. I have been trying to make it a Tawny Mining Bee (Adrena fulva)but not sure which solitary bee. Bumblebees [24 UK species are an interest; UK solitary bees c. 250 species are a hardship]
My immediate reaction to your picture was that the only bumblebees that have emerged at present are queens which are much larger than a Celendine flower, hence my comment.
Kind regards
Nigel Ajax Lewis
Many thanks Nigel. Rich C
ReplyDeleteHi Richard,
ReplyDeleteYour beetle looks like a Bloody-nosed Beetle, so called because when handled it exudes a red liquid from its mouth. It is the largest of the British Leaf Beetles. Latin name Timarcha tenebricosa.
Regards,
Sue Pritchard.