This species is morphologically very similar to M. littoralis. Recent appraisals of the differences between the two can be found in Else & Felton (1994) and a rigorous statistical examination in Budrys (2001). This species was only formally added to the British list by Else & Felton in 1994, although the species was first taken by O W Richards in 1950, but mis-identified as M. spooneri. This species is listed in older literature under… Read more

Previously known as Omalus truncatus. Identification keys and general biology are given in Spooner (1954), Morgan (1984), Falk (1991) and Kunz (1994).

Previously known as Omalus violaceus. Identification keys and general biology are given in Spooner (1954), Morgan (1984), Falk (1991) and Kunz (1994).

Previously known as Spinolia neglecta. Identification keys and general biology are given in Chapman (1869, 1871), Morgan (1984) and Kunz (1994).

An all-black species with bifasciate wings. It most resembles Dipogon bifasciatus from which it may be told in the female by the shorter antenna; the third segment being about equal in length to the scape and subequal to the fourth. The male has crenulate antennae and a subgenital plate with short hairs medially.

A large, black and yellow, ground nesting solitary wasp. A key can be found in Lomholdt (1984). (Richards (1980) mentions the genus in his introduction but does not provide a key to the species.)

Clearly one of the Lasioglossum calceatum group of bees, although it is fairly large for the genus, with males and females about 8 mm long. Females have mid-brown abdomens with paler apices to the segments; the males are similar, but also have red-brown markings on the anterior tergites of the abdomen. The species may abound within its very restricted range, creating very large nesting aggregations.

One of four brown bumblebees known from the British Isles, two of which, B. muscorum and B. humilis, are declining greatly. B. pascuorum, however, although it may well be less frequent than it used to be, is currently extending its range northward, being fairly recently found on Orkney. It may be seen in a great variety of habitats and is a regular inhabitant of gardens. Identification may be very difficult in the field, unless the black patches on the sides of the abdomen are well-… Read more