NBIS Carder Bee, Hornet and Hoverfly Survey
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Please tell us if you find one of the bugs on our survey Records should contain information about: What you saw; When you saw it; Where you saw it (grid reference and habitat); and Who you are. You can record on-line at: http://www.nbis.org.uk/Hymenoptera2012Survey. Or you can send us an email at [email protected] or get in touch by phone 01603 224458 or post at NBIS, Room 301, County Hall, Norwich, NR1 2SG. Species Date Place name Grid reference Habitat If po ple ssi as ble in e s , a en w pic d ith tur r yo e ec ur ord Your details (name and contact s. details eg. email address) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/ Bottom: flic.kr/p/8LmuiC crunchy_with_ketchup Middle: Top: Images Creative Commons licence, some rights reserved. reserved. rights licence, some Commons Creative W www.nbis.org.uk www.nbis.org.uk W [email protected] E F 01603223219 T 01603224458 2SG NR1 Norwich, Hall, County 301, Room Service Information Biodiversity Norfolk [email protected] at newsletter electronic www.nbis.org.uk at work our about more Read in Norfolk. of enhancement and biodiversity conservation the for information wildlife andinterpreting managing recording, service, profit a not-for- operates (NBIS) Service Information Biodiversity Norfolk Wool carder bee ( Wool bee carder European hornet ( hornet European Hoverfly ( Leucozona lucorum Leucozona . Creative Commons licence, some rights reserved. reserved. rights some licence, Commons Creative . Anthidium manicatum Vespa crabro or signup for our ). Photo credit: Nick Owens. Owens. Nick credit: ). Photo ). Photo credit: Flickr user Flickr credit: ). Photo ). Photo credit: Flickr user Flickr credit: ). Photo http://flic.kr/p/9RjoPs dnnya17 http:// . you helpyou spot and hoverfly NBIS carder NBIS carder survey - can - survey bee, hornet bee, them? NBIS carder bee, hoverfly and European hornet (Vespa crabro) hornet survey Two of the insects in our NBIS survey, the Description: A spectacular large yellow and brown social wasp up to European hornet, Vespa crabro and the wool 35mm in length (queens can be up to 50mm long). Although often carder bee, Anthidium manicatum, belong to viewed with trepidation, hornets are rarely aggressive and will sting the hymenoptera, a large insect order which only if provoked. Adult hornets feed on sugary foods such as nectar and fruits. They feed their larvae on paralysed insects. also includes wasps, ants, bees, ichneumons and saw-flies. Our third survey species, the Where to look: Woodlands, parks and gardens from May to hoverfly Leucozona lucorum, is a member of November. Unlike wasps, hornets fly after dark and are attracted to the diptera (flies). Chandler R. credit: Photo lights. You may see them on warm nights. They all have a fascinating biology and are probably quite widespread in Norfolk although we don’t know for sure, as we Wool carder bee (Anthidium manicatum) don’t have many records on the NBIS database. Description: A striking black and yellow species easily recognised by the golden spots on either side of the abdomen with a wingspan dnnya17 We do hope that you’ll take time to read of 20mm and body length of up to 13mm (females) and 17mm through this leaflet which gives more (males). Males patrol a territory of flowers (eg. woundworts, background about these species and let us deadnettle, foxgloves and toadflax), darting at other insect know if you spot any of them. They all play intruders that stray close, even grappling them to the ground. an important role in the natural fabric of our Females are allowed access to the territory where they can feed on countryside and your records will contribute the flowers. Females “card” the down from hairy plants such as to our overall knowledge of Norfolk’s lamb’s ears to use as a nest lining material. biodiversity so that we can help safeguard Where to look: gardens, fields and meadows between May and and enhance it. PhotoFlickr credit: user http://flic.kr/p/9RjoPs September. Creative Commons licence Did you know? Leucozona lucorum • The insects described in this leaflet are not naturally Description: A striking and distinctive hoverfly with a white band aggressive; Silversyrpher across the body and black wing patches and body length of 12 – • They are beneficial to gardeners, assisting with pollination; 15mm. The scutellum (the triangular plate on the top of the • There is a national society insect, near where the wings attach) is orangey brown (not black). dedicated to studying and Hoverflies have a swift, darting flight in addition to their recording bees, wasps and ants remarkable hovering ability. The adults feed on nectar and pollen. (aculeate hymenoptera) If you can, please send us a picture of the Leucozona lucorum you in Britain and Ireland— spotted. www.bwars.com • Find out more about diptera at Where to look: Dappled sunshine in woodland rides and edges, Photo credit: Flickr user www.dipteristsforum.org.uk/ gardens, roadside verges and hedgerows, often near plants of red http://flic.kr/p/6XUtkV Creative Commons licence campion (Silene dioica) and stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) from May to August. .