IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Spring Close, COLCHESTER, CO4 9TN

Working in the garden it was noticed that there was strange looking aphid on a rose leaf. In fact it was the empty skin of an aphid with a white disc underneath.The disc was the chrysalis of a tiny parasitic wasp, of the Praon species. An adult lays its egg on the young aphid and its grub develops inside it. When the grub is mature it emerges cutting a hole in the aphids under body and attaches the aphid to the leaf on which it is living. It then uses the corpse as protection of its chrysalis from predators.

This photograph shows a 7-Spot Ladybird that has been attacked by Dinocampus coccinellae, a parasitic wasp. Adult wasps inject the beetle with a single egg. The wasp larva hatches and lives inside the ladybird eating its non-vital organs until it is ready to pupate. It paralyzes the ladybird, eats its way out through the underside – all while the ladybird is alive - then spins a cocoon between the beetle’s legs and pupates there while the still living host stands guard over it.

On patrol looking for my best plants

A pest to gardeners devastating lily plants in days. Both adult and grubs feed on the plants. The grubs are charming creatures covering themselves with their own excrement as protection from predators

This hoverfly has no common English name. It imitates bumblebees and having used its disguise to gain access, lays its eggs in the nest of the host bees. The hoverfly grubs feed on the detritus in the nest also the young bee grubs. The colouration of the hoverfly varies according to the bee species chosen as the host.

Pictured on its web with prey.

Don't put the refuse bags out too early. This family of Carrion Crows, mum and dad, teaching the youngsters how to scavenge was pictured when the bags were put out too early. (Don't worry the foxes will get the blame, feast on)

This rather strange beast appeared in our bathroom, a scream from my wife saw me rushing up to her aid, to find the head and antenna peering over a tap more worried about its fate than a threat. The insect first appeared in the UK in 2009 and quickly spread. Originally from America it was introduced into Europe in timber exports and spread out covering most of the continent in a few years. It feeds on the seeds of the conifer and not considered to be too great a pest except in pine nurseries.

On a cold morning with an easterly wind this wood pigeon was huddled down trying to catch some of the suns warmth.