Wildlife 2007

[Gerdk]

Today the first ' flowers ' of my Kalopanax pictus  (Araliaceae) began to open. They have an immense attraction to bees and now there are thousands of these insects visiting the tree (and me when sitting nearby).
I don't know the reason for this preference. Anthony, do you have an explanation?

Gerd Knoche, Solingen
Germany

[mark smyth]

The flowers must be nectar or pollen rich.

Lots of butterfly activity in the garden today - Tortoishells, Red Amirals and many Whites including this Large White. All were very nervous

[Anthony Darby]

Whether pollen or nectar, they seem highly attractive to bees. Perhaps they are dependent on bees for pollination and therefore, being trees and (perhaps) having individuals widely spaced, they need to draw pollintators from a distance?

[mark smyth]

Two snail collecters, 5 & 6, were in the garden today making a collection for their bug box. I didnt tell them the snails had a feed of blue pellets yesterday

One asked "what are those swimming in the sea?" He was referring to Daphnia in my water butt. Ahh, bless!

[Lesley Cox]

You should tell them Mark. If the snails die the lads may think they themselves killed them if they don't know the cause of death, and be discouraged. You may be inhibiting the development of future scientists!

[Gerdk]

Mark & Anthony,
Thank you very much - today after some rain tonight there are only a few visitors.
Gerd

[Andrew]

The other day in the greenhouse I noticed this,



I guess a type a spider, but I have never seen one like it before.

[Maggi Young]

EEK! Looks like a cross between a spider and an aphid... I can't say I've seen one before, either.
I trust the Bub Buff will enlighten us.

[mark smyth]

looks like a Harvest Man

[Anthony Darby]

I'm with Mark on this. The clues are one body part (spiders have two) and the long thin legs, giving its other name 'Daddy-long-legs spider' (order Opiliones). They are predators and unlike spiders, eat rather than sook.

[Maggi Young]

hmm... I see from this page : http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/wildlifegarden/atoz/h/harvestman.asp     that they are likely to eat our "baddies" so, when I meet one, I'll say hello, nicely!


By the way, Mark, some of the shells of your snails would make lovely earrings!

[mark smyth]

for me or you?

Me!  Wallis Simpson, the late Duchess of Windsor had some fab snail shell earrings, set with gold and some with diamonds, too, in her collection! Maggi

[annew]

Are we discovering a secret of yours, Maggi? Judging by the fact that Ian's bulbs are posted out in jewellry boxes, he must be keeping you well supplied! Maybe we should have an avatar photo in full regalia!

[Maggi Young]

OOps! No, really, that was just for you, Anne, other bulbs go out in plastic food cartons! And no, we do not eat vast quantities of  Chinese takeaway food, the cartons can be bought very reasonably, by the boxful, at a local supplier!
I do have a reputation as something of a Maggi Magpie, I must admit... there are too many around this forum who could tell the truth if I tried a porky, so I'll come clean.... "my name is Margaret and I love sparkle".... it's an addiction I am happy to live with though, so no helpful suggestions about twelve-step programmes, thank you!

[John Forrest]

Maggi, I think you are going to have to change the picture from you in the Kag to the one with the tiara and  dripping with jewels.

Here are a few more insects taken recently

1 Butterfly Holly Blue  (Celastrina argiolus) trying to be a Rhododendron Blue in my garden.

2 Butterfly Peacock taken at a garden centre where we go for a coffee.

3 Butterfly Peacock again but what is the plant it's on? I know it but can't bring it to mind.

4 Fly on Rudbeckia Herbstsonne, which is often covered with insects just sitting sunbathing. I think many flying insects are attracted to yellow, hence the old sticky fly paper.