Combe Valley Countryside Park

The Bumble-bee is a familiar visitor to our gardens but is in decline due to the loss of flower-rich meadows. Several species can be found within the park.

There are many species of bee in the park. The most familiar is the Honey Bee which sometimes nests in hollow trees.

This is the most familiar of our wasps as it is abundant everywhere, even entering our homes. Although it has a tendency to sting it also feeds its larvae on a number of garden pests.

Although larger than other wasps, the hornet is less aggressive. It nests in a few hollow trees around the park.

Most Mason Wasps are black with plain yellow banding and narrow waists. They are solitary wasps and rarely sting. The various species are difficult to tell apart.

This parasitic wasp has a very long abdomen and the female (shown here) has an extremely long ovipositor which it uses to insert its eggs into the larvae of other solitary wasps or bees.

This is the most frequently seen of the Soldier beetles. Others have similar long rectangular shape but different colours.

This distinctive beetle has a preference for the wet areas around reedbeds.

One of our best-known beetles, the 7-spot is one of several Ladybird species to be found in the park.

Also known as the False Oil Beetle, it is a great pollinator of wild flowers. Only the male has the characteristic swollen thighs.

Recognised by its gem-stone green colour and the two red spots towards the rear of its wing cases.

One of several species of longhorn beetles likely to be found in the valley, this one is easy to spot because of its bright colours.

Often seen on thistles, this capsid is, as its name suggests, fairly common.

Another capsid, this one has far more distinctive markings.

There are many different kinds of leafhopper, a family of jumping bugs.

Very common in the valley as its favourite food is the Dock plant.

Another member of the shield bug family, all of which have a shield-like shape.

A common shield-bug, which is bright green all over, although it darkens in the autumn.

Several grasshopper are quite variable in colour.

Usually brown, but green, grey and reddish forms exist.

Fairly common in the valley, identified by the yellow border to its pronotum.

This bush cricket is instantly recognisable by its tiny black spots.

The adults are pale brown to almost black above and greenish yellow below.

Either the Short-winged Conehead or the Long-winged Conehead which are much the same at the nymph stage.

Alder flies are weak fliers and rarely move far from water where they breed.

One of a number of Ichneumon flies, all of which are parasitoids and several are nocturnal.

Despite its name the Scorpion Fly is harmless. Only the male’s tail curls like a scorpion’s.