A medium-sized native, possibly Halictinae, laden with Aotus pollen

Lipotriches (Austronomia) australica are medium-sized, ground-nesting bees. This female was one of several bees species collecting pollen and nectar from Aotus flowers.

Apis mellifera, an introduced species. They are larger than most of our local native bees, and are unwelcome competitors for scarce resources. Best recognised by the waxy balls of pollen carried on each flattened back leg and her very hairy eyes.

Podagritus, a ground-nesting wasp species I watched for many hours last year. But in that time I never did spot a mated pair. Paul captured this pair on 13th October, our first sighting for the season.

Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (probably), concentrating nectar by bubbling to evaporate excess water.

Yet another small, colourful wasp that we can’t yet put a name to. Almost certainly an ichneumond, but that is a very large group!

Species unknown (to me), as is the case for nearly all flower wasps. This shot was taken just seconds after the male managed to connect with the flightless female. He had been holding her with his legs, but now the coupling is secure.

Metopius. A parasitoid of caterpillars, particularly those that live in rolled leaves. She has no sting – but her shape and colour might fool predators into mistaking her for a stinging paper wasp.

Primeuchroeus really are very small. This one was searching the leaf litter, presumably seeking the burrows of ground-nesting bees or wasps.

Pison … this species is smaller than many in the genus. Pison paralyse and gather spiders on which to raise their larvae. They typically use mud to build cells in nooks and crannies.

Hylaeus (Prosopisteron) … an extremely tiny bee, just 3-4mm long. She releases pollen from this Hibbertia by vibrating the anthers. Like other members of the family Colletidae, she transports pollen by swallowing it (rather than carrying it on her legs or body).

Hylaeus. Wahlenbergia flowers are a favourite haunt of small masked bees. This one would hunker down in the bell of the flower, periodically emerging (as in the cover photo) to posture, groom or sun itself. I presume it’s a male on the lookout for a mate.

Subfamily Thynninae, species unknown. The wingless female is feeding from a drop of liquid supplied by the much larger male. Most species feed head-to-head, but this one regularly adopts this posture. I’ve not seen this reported in descriptions of flower wasp behaviour.

Yet another unidentified ichneumonid, and definitely a parasite of moth caterpillars. I watched on as she repeatedly explored the case hanging in the shade of the leaves. She injected her long ovipositor into the case, several times, in several places.

The long legs with prominent spines, combined with the characteristic ‘jump, hop, wing-flick’ behaviour identify this as a spider wasp. They’re an increasingly common sight of late, various species and a range of sizes.

Lasioglossum (probably). I was photographing this flower when a photo-bombing bee arrived. She vigorously ‘buzzed’ the anthers and was soon covered in pollen.