These stunning jewel-like beetles are members of the scarab family. The adults feed on pollen and nectar, and sometimes petals, particularly from roses, hence their name. The larvae develop in compost or rotting wood for two years. You may see and hear the adults flying very loudly and clumsily in late spring and summer, especially in College Garden.
This magnificent beetle is Britain’s largest and is, sadly, quite scarce now. The male’s huge ‘antlers’ are in fact overgrown mandibles (jaws) for courtship display and are generally too large and unwieldy for the beetle to be able to bite with them.
This stunning moth resembles the colours of its caterpillars’ favourite foodplants, willow herbs, and can sometimes be seen resting among the foliage of these plants during the day in early summer.
This remarkably distinctive moth resembles a twig from a Silver Birch, one of the caterpillar’s foodplants, and can occasionally been seen resting on twigs by day.
This damselfly is usually the first to be seen in spring, in April or even late March. Males are mostly red, with black tails. Females are also red and black, with varying amounts of black, but always more than the males.
Keep up to date with the nature at Wellington. We will bring you all things species and habitats, keeping you informed on the latest about Welly’s Wildlife.
Keep up to date with the nature at Wellington. We will bring you all things species and habitats, keeping you informed on the latest about Welly’s Wildlife.
Keep up to date with the nature at Wellington. We will bring you all things species and habitats, keeping you informed on the latest about Welly’s Wildlife.
