Invertebrates

Depending upon where the nest is - if at all possible, leave it alone. Unless disturbed or threatened, a hornet will not sting.
Picture by Peter Mallett.

The swallowtail butterfly is now limited to the Norfolk Broads choosing sites with a vigorous growth of milk parsley, where it lays its eggs on the tallest plants. Although a rare British insect, if you go to the right place, such as NWT Hickling Broad, NWT Ranworth Broad or RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, at the right time, early morning on a windless day (usually from late May to mid-July and if there is a second brood from mid–August through September), then with luck you will spot one.
Picture by Michael Cole

Telling a butterfly from a moth is not always easy as the two are closely related. The easiest way to recognise a butterfly is to look at the antennae: those of the butterfly have clubbed ends whilst, in moths, they are fine and often feathery without the clubbed end. In addition, a butterfly rests with its wings closed tightly, held vertically above the body. In contrast, a moth usually rests with its wings folded horizontally flat over the body, the forewing largely obscuring the hindwing. Butterflies rarely fly at night and many will only fly in bright sunshine. Moths fly mainly at night and the few day-flying species can be readily recognised by their antennae and resting posture.
Picture by Jerry Simpson

There are many garden flowers which provide nectar attractive to both butterflies and bees. If you want to attract butterflies try and ensure that you have some nectar producing plants in flower from late winter and early spring all the way through until late summer and autumn. There are a huge range of plants that butterflies will feed from but among the best are mint, catmint, marjoram, oregano, buddleia, iceplant, honesty, sweet rocket, lavender and wallflowers.

The nectar from ivy flowers in autumn is very attractive to red admiral butterflies. Remember too that fallen fruit in autumn will be fed upon by red admirals, commas and peacock butterflies.

Wildlife gardens should also include the food plants for butterfly caterpillars. A small patch of nettles in a sunny location may attract red admirals, commas, peacocks and small tortoiseshells to lay eggs. Holly blues lay their eggs on holly (first generation) and ivy (second generation), orange-tips on garlic mustard and painted ladies on thistles. So try and ensure both nectar for the adult butterflies and food plants for their caterpillars are available. For further information visit www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk
Picture by Jenny Johnson

If you think you’ve found a harlequin ladybird then please send a record of your sighting to the Ladybird Survey. Details of how to do this, and a form to download, can be found on their website at https://www.coleoptera.org.uk/coccinellidae/home .

The harlequin is a non-native species which has become a pest in the UK, causing a decline in some of our native ladybird species as it out-competes its smaller rivals for food, and preys on their larvae. Since its arrival in Britain in 2004, it has spread rapidly across the southeast and is gradually moving north and west. Monitoring its spread across the country is essential. The important information you need to send them should include your name and address, what you found (adult, larvae, pupae etc), where you found it (a grid reference and location is best but a postcode will also do), the date when you found it, how many you found (1, 2–5, 6–10, more than 10) and what they were doing – e.g. nothing, walking, laying eggs, mating, eating etc. A photograph would be useful as well (but not essential) and digital photos can be submitted on-line.

Ivy is a native, evergreen climber which has enormous benefits for wildlife especially during the cold winter months when it provides natural shelter for a wide array of mammals, birds and invertebrates.
 
Ivy is also an important food plant for many species. Its autumn flowers followed by ripened berries in late winter/early spring provide an important food source for many insects and birds at a time of year when other natural food supplies have been consumed.  

Picture by Elizabeth Dack
 

The Swallowtail’s breeding sites are restricted to the Norfolk Broads. The Swallowtail requires sites which have a vigorous growth of Milk Parsley – its favoured food plant - where it will lay its eggs on the tallest plants. They can usually be found at
NWT Hickling Broad, RSPB Strumpshaw Fen and How Hill nature reserve.

Any rising of water levels or increase in salinity will effect the growth of the Milk Parsley. However Milk Parsley has the potential to grow in other areas and will move if there is suitable habitat. Active management of fenland, where sedge is cut to allow other plants to grow, plays an important part in the survival of the swallowtail in Norfolk.

Occasionally migrant Swallowtails from the continent can be found in Southern Britain but these are a different sub-species (gorganus) to those found in Norfolk (britannicus).

Picture by Joe Lenton

Yes. The solitary bees that will use artificial bee homes are non-aggressive and can be observed at close quarters without risk.
Picture by Elizabeth Dack.

Solitary bees need pollen, nectar and mud. Ensure you have plants in flower from early spring to autumn and some bare areas of soil in your garden.
Picture by Elizabeth Dack

On warm sunny days you may observe the bees coming and going but when nests have been built you will see the ends of the bamboos sealed with mud (red mason bees) or small pieces of green leaves (leaf cutter bees).
Picture by Tony Brooks

The bees that use your bee home may not emerge until the first warm spring days of the following year. There is an excellent chance these bees will then use more of the canes in your bee home to build their own nests
Picture by Elizabeth Dack

In Norfolk, the swallowtail lays its eggs on milk parsley as this is the sole food plant of the caterpillar in Norfolk.
Picture by Elizabeth Dack

The Norfolk hawker is a resident of the Norfolk Broads and north-east Suffolk. In Britain it tends to favour slow-flowing dykes and ditches where water soldier plants grow. The Norfolk hawker may be seen soaring above reed-fringed dykes hunting other insects or sitting perched on vegetation at NWT Hickling Broad and NWT Upton Broad and Marshes from late May until mid-July. Other good sites to see Norfolk hawkers are the RSPB's Strumpshaw Fen nature reserve and Crome's Broad within How Hill Nature Reserve.
Picture by Andrew Barrett

Five species of bumblebee, which twenty years ago were classed as widespread and common, are now endangered. The reason for the decline of some bumblebees species is not fully understood. The common theory is that there are fewer wildflowers, due to the change in traditional haymaking practices and the use of weedkillers. The removal of suitable nesting sites, such as hedgerows, could also have played a part.

Changes in gardening practices may also have had an impact. Increased use of insecticides, the fashion for flowers which have no scent and do not produce nectar could all have played a part, along with tidying up of gardens which removes potential nest sites.

Picture by Jennifer Ford

The main difference is that dragonflies hold their wings open at 90 degrees to their body when resting whereas damselflies hold their wings parallel to their body. On the whole, damselflies are much smaller than dragonflies. Dragonflies have huge eyes which occupy most of their globular head whilst damselflies have much smaller eyes which are positioned at each end of their oblong head. The flight of a damselfly is a relatively weak fluttering type compared to a dragonfly’s.

Picture by Keith Redhead

Harlequin ladybirds can be difficult to identify as they are highly variable in colour and ‘spottiness’. They range from orange or red with black spots to black with red or orange spots. They also have various white makings on their head and the bit behind their eyes (the pronotum). The number of spots is also highly variable.

While many of our native ladybirds can also vary in colour and number of spots – especially the two- and ten-spot ladybirds, harlequin ladybirds are larger than most of them (>5.5mm). The exceptions to this are the seven-spot, scarce seven-spot and eyed ladybirds which are a similar but they have black legs instead of reddish-brown like the harlequin. The harlequin is a non-native species which has become a pest in the UK, causing a decline in some of our native ladybird species as it out-competes its smaller rivals for food, and preys on their larvae.
Picture by David Gittens

The white admiral butterfly has increased its range within the UK over the past 20 years and seems to be expanding its Norfolk range where it inhabits a number of widely separated sites. In fact the UK site with the largest recent increases is the Bure Marshes area of Broadland. The butterfly does inhabit a few sites along the North Norfolk coast. Despite the expansion in range the species seems to be in general and long term decline with some sites in central southern England experiencing significant decreases in numbers.

The butterfly inhabits areas of open woodland which supports the common honeysuckle – the sole foodplant for the larva of the species. Adults come frequently to bramble blossom.

The main flight time is from mid June through to end August with a marked peak in July. However there have been occasional sightings recorded in late September. Sometimes unusual weather patterns, with prolonged periods of cold and wet during the summer months could upset the usual cycle for some individuals resulting in late emergence.

The species is quite large and has a distinctive gliding manner of flight. It is unlikely to be confused with any other species except perhaps its close relative the red admiral which is often abundant in the autumn months.

Picture by Ron Scott

Pollen and nectar are needed to feed the adult bumblebees and their larvae. It is important to ensure that there are flowers in your garden from early spring through to late summer, covering the whole of the bumblebee season.

Bumblebees like to build nests in redundant mice and shrew holes. These may be found at the base of a hedge or in an area of rough grass. To make an artificial underground nest site, dig a hole, place a ball of moss or dry grass in the bottom and then cover it with a slab, leaving a small entrance hole.

Picture by Rebekah Wall

The comma is bright orange with dark brown markings on its wings. The underside displays a distinctive small, white ‘comma’ shape from which it takes its name. Perhaps the most distinctive characteristic of this butterfly is not the colour of its wings but their ragged appearance. The butterfly is hard to spot when its wings are folded as it looks remarkably like a dead leaf.

The caterpillar is flecked with white and brown markings and, when fully grown, becomes the master of disguise, camouflaging itself as a bird dropping.

Picture by Julian Thomas

Buxton Heath (Northern side) is a prime spot for this butterfly.
The butterfly is on the wing during July and August.

Picture by Ian Saggers

Bumblebees do not die when they sting. Unlike hive bees which leave their sting in their victims, bumblebees withdraw their sting. Bumblebees are unlikely to sting unless they are severely provoked.

Picture by John Lincoln

Honey bees are quite dull looking insects with no easily discernible bands of colour. They range in colour from black to golden brown, in Norfolk at least being an uninteresting browny/black. Honey bees will swarm periodically to found a new colony and are the only type of bees to do so. It is not uncommon to experience swarms of 40,000 or so bees but they can be smaller but always reckoned in thousands. They have far more on their minds than attacking humans or domestic animals but should nevertheless be left well alone. Remember, if provoked, honey bees can fly much faster than you can run! Also bear in mind that so-called “killer bees” do not exist in the UK!

If they are all in flight, nothing can be done. However, they will almost certainly start to congregate in a large cluster en route to their new home, often in a tree, shrub or on a wall. They will usually move on within a few hours but sometimes will stay in the cluster for up to a week. Again, they are not a serious risk unless provoked. Sometimes they will take up residence in a cavity wall, a chimney or roof space on your property.

If concerned about a cluster of bees on your property or nearby, please call the relevant contact below who will provide advice and, if appropriate, will undertake its removal. First, however, it is very important that you understand the type of bee you have found.
BUMBLE BEES Normally found in holes in the ground, sometimes in cavity walls. Bumble bees are the least aggressive of flying stinging insects. They are often quite big and very hairy, with different areas of colour according to their type. Ordinarily, the nest will die out in the autumn and you will have no further problems.

WASPS Wasps can be unpredictable and aggressive – leave well alone. They are distinctively black and yellow in clearly defined bands. They will nest in the ground or any convenient space and have been found in shrubs in a protected part of the garden. Their nests are distinctive – spherical in shape and look like grey papier maché.

OTHER BEES There are other types of bees which are not normally aggressive. They can usually be left alone.

BEES GENERALLY All bees and wasps undertake valuable work in your garden, either by pollination or controlling other pests. They are in decline, so whenever possible, try to encourage and tolerate them.

CONTACTS Remember that the contacts below can only provide assistance with honey bee swarms. Furthermore, they can only enter property with the consent of the owner/tenant and may not be able to assist where the bees are inaccessible. No charge per se is made for collecting a swarm although the collector may request expenses. Please ring the contact in the Council area where the bees are found.

Norfolk Beekeepers information about swarms https://norfolkbeekeepers.org.uk/swarms/


Picture by Elizabeth Dack