If anyone tries to convince you that farmers are biodiversity bad guys.. This picture was sent to me today from a really pleased senior member of that community, amazed at the quantity of mining bees in his field edges this year, after we started having a proper look last year.

A silly post but have you noticed a difference in bee flightiness and difficulty of capture depending on what you're wearing? I struggled more than normal to get close to things yesterday. Jazzy blue shirt to blame? @vannabartlett.bsky.social @dustygedge.bsky.social @timstrudwick.bsky.social

Andrena dilemma. Not a species many will have heard of. Taken last week in inland Suffolk with features of scotica and/or summer brood trimmerana. Alongside spring trimmerana and scotica. Interesting specimen.

Over-wintering critters. Managed uncut, ungrazed area on meadow on left. Cut and sheep-grazed main meadow on right, 10m from 1st site. 30 seconds sweep netting yesterday. 150 plays 20.

Good time of the year to check old Yarrow seed heads for Coleophora argentula larval cases. Around 4 found in 5 mins of looking in High Suffolk this afternoon.

Lots of B. terrestris queens, a B. pratorum queen, a couple of Commas and a Small Tortoiseshell on early Salix and Prunus blossom in High Suffolk today. Probably 3 or 4 male Brimstone about along the ditches and hedgerows.

First male Anthophora plumipes, some Bombus terrestris and a B. pratorum queen in Christchurch Park in Ipswich this afternoon. Quite a lot of Crocus flowering with some early Prunus out or nearly out. 🌞☀️

Bristly Oxtongue still hanging on in Suffolk yesterday for #wildflowerhour

What appears to be Rhinocyllus conicus from Suffolk farmland last week. If confirmed as that in due course it's a large, but short-rostrumed, weevil that feeds on Cirsium and Carduus, amongst others, thistles and was introduced to N. America as a thistle-biocontrol agent, with predictable results.

My #BlackFlyDay offering. Scenopinus fenestralis from off the lounge window in June this year. Domestic #IPM in action.

#wildflowerhour in Ipswich today 24-11-24. Managed an urban #thewinter10 with Dandelion, Yarrow, Daisy, Shepherd's Purse, Hedgerow Cranesbill, Wood Avens, Red Deadnettle, Chickweed, Black Nightshade, Dog Violet.

Well it is #Flyday Here's one of my highlights this year. The Xylomyid, Solva marginata or Drab Wood-soldierfly, which I was lucky enough to be shown along a sunny riverside hedge by farmer, Graham Denny, at Stonham in Mid-Suffolk in July. Lovely picture by Rab King. #soldierflies #FlyFriday

Only just above freezing today in Ipswich but some #streetweeds still flowering in sheltered spots. In this case Black Nightshade - Solanum nigrum I think. @bsbibotany.bsky.social

Phytomyza agromyzina mine I think on Cornus last week in north Suffolk. #Agromyzidae #Leafminers #Diptera #Flies

Spear Thistle still going on field corner in Suffolk last week. Queen Bombus terrestris taking opportunity to top up on fuel. #wildflowerhour

Can anybody confirm Hyposinga pygmaea for this one swept off wheat stubble last week in North Suffolk? #arachnida #spiders not usually my thing but I'm starting to look at a few. More pictures and measurements available if needed in due course.

@dipteristsforum.bsky.social Lovely day at BENHS HQ yesterday with Marc, Matt & Chris + students studying #Tachinidae #diptera Highlights include going through several batches of Tachina magnicornis and confirming a wider distribution than known up to now & looking at some of the newer UK arrivals.

A late, or early, B. terrestris queen waiting for the sun to come out in North Suffolk this morning. #bumblebee #bee

December Moths are lovely moths. This one hadn't quite made it into the trap so was sporting some natty dew drops.

Stenamma westwoodii male from North Suffolk at the end of October. Thanks to Andrew Jarman and Mike Fox for confirming the ID.