Mixed bag - Aug 8th

A bit slow on here, at the time of writing half the page is 1 day old!

A few recent shots from my garden.

Volucella inanis. Whopper of a hoverfly, a bumble bee was sitting on a globe thistle close to this hover and there wasn't much difference in the size. I'm not sure but I think it might be a hornet mimic.

Great captures, George. Love the woodlouse.

lovely set George.
that hover is a beauty!

Beauties George, Stunning light, colour, detail!

Thanks for commenting Travis, Denis and Dan.

You've got to love those Sweat Bees.

Great pics.
Honey Bee my favourite

Wonderful series George.
Think #1 is Volucella zonaria with the darker first band on the abdomen. They are wasp mimics mainly because they lay their eggs in wasp nests where the grubs feed on detritus. I've watched V. zonaria, V.inanis and V pellucens females all entering the same wasp nest to lay their eggs (not at the same time though )
Brian V.

Wonderful pics - I agree with Brian, it's V. Zonaria

Linda

Thanks Snowy, Terry, Brian and Linda. Thanks for the ID and info Brian, I've seen a few of those large hovers in the garden recently but they have a tendency to hang upside down which makes lighting difficult for me the way I have my diffuser positioned.

Worcester Lad wrote in post #17085436
I've seen a few of those large hovers in the garden recently but they have a tendency to hang upside down which makes lighting difficult for me the way I have my diffuser positioned.

Yes they nearly always land like that- think it's because they are so heavy, if they land on the top of a flower it tends to bend over and throw them off
Brian V.

Very nice set, George. Esp like the pill bug and the blue bottle!

LordV wrote in post #17085442
Yes they nearly always land like that- think it's because they are so heavy, if they land on the top of a flower it tends to bend over and throw them off
Brian V.

That explains it, cheers Brian.

Thanks for the comment Kurt.

Wonderful set, love the bees