Pollinators and Predators

As you all know, we grow organically. We find that nature's pollinators and predators find their way to our allotment with only a little encouragement and, once there, do most of the work for us. The Ladybirds and their larvae have been chomping steadily through the blackfly on the broad beans and we are hoping for hover-flies and lacewings to join in the feast soon.

We identified this visitor as a wasp beetle - a useful pollinator. Like some other insects, it mimics a wasp for protection against birds, but it's actually a completely harmless insect which feeds on nectar and pollen.

Submitted by Adrian, plot 9