Bees Plus.

In the garden the Eucalyptus parramattensis has been in flower, with the snowy white blossom drawing in a range of insects. One was a new bee record bringing the garden total up to fifteen species recorded. It is Leioproctus amabilis, the Lovable Leioproctus, a female collecting the white pollen. A smaller unidentified species was also working.

Unidentified due to lack of detail.

A trip to the Marlay Point area to check the flowering Bursarias for insect life was rewarded with another bee species photographed for the first time. It is the Bright-tailed Resin Bee, Megachile lucidiventris.

Another first record was made at the wood heap, when a tiny Pseudoscorpion, Family Chernetidae, came out from a crevice. These prey on other small invertebrates, immobilising them with venom from their nipper glands.

Third Time Lucky.

Third trip back to the road reserve chasing more photos of the White-banded Grass Dart, and finally after following one darting here and there, one was spotted perched.

Native bees have been sparse, this Lasioglossum calophyllae was a welcome sight.

The third keeper from the outing was an orchid dupe wasp, Lissopimpla excelsa.

Leaf-curling spiders are starting to become noticeable around the garden.

The trunks of the garden eucalypts are always a productive source of photographic subjects, and one Red Gum never fails to deliver the goods. Servaea incana is often seen there, this large individual has captured a neighbour, a comb-footed spider.

This flattie has to remain unidentified.

Two hoppers, a planthopper nymph, Ledromorpha species.

and a photogenic Flatid Planthopper, Siphanta hebes.

Some images will enlarge.