Flower wasps are one of the most obvious, numerous and diverse families of insects in the forest each summer. Already the males are making their presence known, flying rapidly along insect ‘flight paths’ and gathering when they detect an emerging female.

Eirone [29th Aug]

Female flower wasps look nothing like their male counterparts. They’re flightless, typically smaller … and totally dependent on the male to access food.

During mating, the male either carries the female to flowers so she can access the nectar directly, or he delivers her a droplet he gathered earlier. Here he has released a sticky drop onto the leaf and positioned himself so she can reach it – all while remaining firmly coupled.

Thynninae [28th Aug]