Believe it or not...?

There were a lot of male Crabro peltarius at Cooper's Hill today (17th June). The extraordinary curved plates on the front legs are apparently placed over the female's eyes during courtship, filtering light in such a way that she knows he is the correct species of Crabro. Surely there must be an easier way...? (Or is this an internet myth?)



Oxybelus uniglumis has an unusual way of carrying prey to her burrow - impaled on the sting! This keeps her legs free for digging open the burrow without letting go of the prey...


Pictures by Keith Balmer