A spectacular looking caterpillar. It decimates the leaves of Mullein plants. Well worth losing a few plants for!

An uncommon fly that turned up in the garden one morning. This smart looking fly ambushes bumblebees and lays an egg on them. The larvae hatches, buries into the bee and eats it from the inside. Gruesome stuff.

A smart looking hoverfly that seems to have become much more common in recent years. Myathropa breeds in stagnant water in tree holes.

One of my favourites. The male carder bee patrols the garden, driving away all comers. When a female comes close, he lets her feed on flowers, before pouncing for his nuptial rewards.

Armoured protection with style! It was a while before I realised that this spiky beast was a ladybird larvae.