This is the time of the year to have a look at Hymenoptera – Hymen (Membrane) – Pteron (wing); It’s the group of insects known as ants, Bees, sawflies and wasps. We are looking at 2000 to 3000 species in New Zealand. 

The most famous members are the German and common wasp (Vespula species) as well as the three species of Paper wasps (Polistes species) 

One thing they all have in common: no sense of humour 

Yes, I realise it won’t be summer for another week or so, but the following critters are just a few gardeners’ mates to observe and adore; and they all do a great job, especially our native Hymenoptera are worth a look; but there are crazy exotics as well: 

Talking about pollinators… have a look out for the Wool Carder Bee! It’s another introduced pollinating insect from Europe and it has some quite amazing behaviours. 

It loves to hover and fly around the Lamiate flowers in your garden: stuff like Salvias and lamb’s ear. These types of plants are its favourite food and it defends its patch fiercely by chasing away other pollinators: bees, bumble bees, and even wasps!  

Wool Carder Bee plus a nest 

When wool carder bees start nest building, they scrape off the fine, light-coloured hairs off the leaves of certain plants (remember lamb’s ear!!) and work these fibres into the most delicate, soft and insulating ball that act as nest nurseries for their larvae and pupae in development.