I didn’t even know there was a Ruby-tailed wasp, such beautiful colours on it.

I hope you fulfil your wish to spot one soon, Nom

Any idea ,of the plant Tess your very good on ID

Nature Notes 2.

The more i explore the world of Nature,the more i learn, and , a while back i found out about an insect i wanted to see.

I was at my coastal patch looking for returning waders when a tiny insect caught my attention while it rested briefly on a wall, it proved to be a Ruby -tailed wasp the Kingfisher of the insect world.

Not my photo, I hope to get one myself.



https://www.flickr.com/photos/odonataman/18426073135


The glittering, metallic Ruby-tailed Wasp is one of many species of solitary bee and wasp that can be spotted in a number of habitats from walls to sandy quarries, rocky outcrops to tree trunks. Solitary bees and wasps do not live in colonies like Honey Bees; instead, the female builds a nest by herself, stocks it with pollen, and lays an egg within each cell she has created. However, the adults of the Ruby-tailed Wasp are a little lazier: the females actually lay their eggs in the nests of other solitary bees and wasps, especially Mason Bees. When the eggs hatch, they eat the larvae of the Mason Bees and develop - this gives the Ruby-tailed Wasp its other name of 'Cuckoo Wasp'.

I'm sure I saw that plant at the nursery yesterday. I'm desperately trying to remember what it was.

Is it a laurel?

Yes, Nom I think it is a hebe after all