April this year has been very dry (the forecasters say we have only had about one third of the expected amount) and some of the plants locally have been showing signs of stress due to lack of water. Insects have been scarce, though I have seen the usual spring butterfly species: red admiral, brimstone, large white, orange tip, peacock, speckled wood and comma (below).
Some other interesting insects included a female tawny mining bee, Andrena fulva, here pictured on the spurge known as 'Mrs Robb's bonnet', Euphorbia amygdaloides ssp. robbiae. I like the way she has planted her feet neatly on the edge of the flower.
