Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)

OTHER NAMES: Sail Swallowtail, Pear-tree Swallowtail

Latin Etymology: Iphiclides (?) podalirius ("a healer")

  Adult Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) at Madrid, Spain - June 2015

Featured Subspecies: N/A 
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: 76-86mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Data Deficient

A large distinctive species, only likely to be confused with the Common Swallowtail, it is widespread in Spain, though not necessarily numerous locally.  It can be found in habitats that would preclude either of the UK's large species due to being highly disturbed - this particular individual was sighted right in the heart of Madrid.  As such, the English name is fairly misleading, it's certainly not scarce within its own range.  It is however decreasing slightly as its food-plant of blackthorn is cleared.

Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Iphiclides
SUBSPECIES: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish - Chupa Leche ("Suck Milk")

Locally abundant resident.

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Seen in several parks in Madrid.

Further Notes: BirdGuides, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Andrena ("hornet/wasp") fulva ("tawny")

Adult Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva) at Geddington, Northants - April 2017

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 8-12mm  /  Wingspan: ?
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Data Deficient

A small sand bee species immediately recognisable by it's beautiful copper coloured back.  This species digs nests into the ground where they lay their eggs, and fills with nectar and pollen, giving it's larvae a food source enough to grow into maturity, where they emerge the following spring.  An entirely European species, the bulk of their range is in North-West Europe, but they are also found in areas in the Balkans and Iberian Penninsula.

Related Species:
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Andrenidae
Genus: Andrena
SUBSPECIES: unclear

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Description

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)

OTHER NAMES: European Honey Bee

Latin Etymology: Apis ("bee") mellifera ("honey")

Adult Western Honey Bee (subspecies A. m. mellifera) at Geddington Chase, Northants - June 2011

Featured Subspecies: Apis mellifera mellifera
Length: 10-15mm  /  Wingspan: 18mm
NOT EVALUATED IN UK / IUCN Red List: Data Deficient

The Honey Bee is probably one of the most widely known species of insect in the Europe, and just about the only one that is raised on any major commercial scale thanks to it's honey and wax.  A highly colonial species, they have suffered badly in recent years and are in steep decline - much of which is attributed to pesticides and parasites.  They are nonetheless still common visitors to gardens, in mine they seem to particularly favour lavender.

Related Species:
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Genus: Apis
Subspecies: A. m. mellifera, A. m. arteisisa, A. m. carnica, A. m. cecropia, A. m. iberiensis, A. m. ligustica, A. m. macedonica, A. m. madaros, A. m. madaros, A. m. rutterneri, A. m. siciliana, A. m. siciliana, A. m. sossimai, A. m. adami, A. m. anataloiaca, A. m. caucasia, A. m. cyperia, A. m. meda, remipes, A.m syriaca, A. m. adansonii, A. m. capensis, A. m. intermissa, A. m. jemeniticia, A. m. lamarckii, A. m. litorea, A. m. monticola, A. m. sahariensis, A. m. scutellata, A. m. unicolor

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington and numerous other locations

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .