Falmouth buzzes in January

January is the first full month of winter yet with its mild climate Falmouth still buzzes. Loudest of the insects to be heard are the buff-tailed bumblebees on their constant search for pollen. On two days this month I watched workers foraging until ten minutes before sunset. An indication that their nest lies in a garden somewhere within the town.Honeybees are not so tolerant of cold weather and only ventured out on mild days in January.

Honeybee visiting camellia flower

Throughout the winter it is usually possible to see two species of hoverfly on all but the most coldest of days. The marmalade hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) and Meliscaeva auricollis. They can often be found visiting Mahonia flowers in Fox Rosehill Gardens. Another hoverfly that can occasionally be seen on milder winter days is Eristalis tenax or drone fly - it resembles a honeybee and can even buzz like one. 

Marmalade hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)

Meliscaeva auricollis

Eristalis tenax

Sunny days can tempt Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) butterflies out of hibernation either to visit flowers for nectar or simply to sunbath.

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

Other insects to be seen on mild days are the flies, Calliphora vicinia and Scathophaga furcata. 

Calliphora vicinia

Scathophaga furcata