Hymenoptera

Bombus Pascuorum

Bombus pascuorum in flight; The extremely hairy thorax may appear somewhat paler when it has been bleached later in the summer

Buff-Tailed Bumble Bee - Bombus terrestris

B. terrestris will often make its nest in old mouse holes, and as a rule, they will be south facing in order to attain maximum warmth

Honey Bee - Apis mellifera

Seen here feeding on nectar and helping to transfer pollen between the flowers of Meadow Cranesbill (Geranium pratense), the Honey Bee is the only bee that produces enough honey to be used on a commercial level

Red-Tailed Bumble Bee - Bombus lapidarius

The striking red tail makes this species easy to identify. They too can be seen nesting in old underground mouse holes

Common Wasp - Vespula vulgaris

The Common Wasp is that most annoying of visitors at picnic sites, often lurking around waste bins. They can sometimes be seen chewing wood in order to make the papery substance that forms the nest

Red Ant - Myrmica ruginodis

A very common species that can give a nasty nip if not treated with caution. The white structures are the eggs

SAWFLIES - Usually considered to be the most primitive insects of the order Hymenoptera sawflies do not have stings but instead possess saw-like structures known as Ovipositors. This structure is used to saw into leaves and wood in order to lay their eggs (or oviposit). Their larvae are much like those of butterflies and moths, the major difference being that sawfly larvae in addition to three pairs of thoracic legs possess at least six paris of abdominal prolegs, while those of butterflies and moths never have more than five.

Tenthredinid Sawfly - Tenthredo mesomelas

Tenthredinid Sawfly - Macrophya sp