Fauna at Trebah

I have been visiting Trebah gardens on regular occasions recently I have documented some new species of fauna that I have not seen in the gardens before.


There are an abundance of Buff Tailed Bumble Bees (bombus terristris). Bumble bees generally visit flowers exhibiting the bee pollination syndrome. They can visit patches of flowers up to 1–2 kilometres from their colony. Bumble bees will also tend to visit the same patches of flowers every day, as long as nectar and pollen continue to be available, a habit known as pollinator or flower constancy. While foraging, bumblebees can reach ground speeds of up to 15 metres per second. The obvious (but not unique) characteristic is the soft nature of the hair (long, branched setae), called pile, that covers their entire body, making them appear and feel fuzzy. They are best distinguished from similarly large, fuzzy bees by the form of the female hind leg, which is modified to form a corbicula: a shiny concave surface that is bare, but surrounded by a fringe of hairs used to transport pollen (in similar bees, the hind leg is completely hairy, and pollen grains are wedged into the hairs for transport).


Images copyright to Abbi Hughes

I have also noticed large numbers of lady birds. This particular lady bird was found perching in between the fronds of a bracken plant. I love the strong contrast in colour between the red and green. The Coccinella septempunctata is the most popular lady bird in Europe and its elytra are of a red colour, but punctuated with three black spots each, with one further spot being spread over the junction of the two, making a total of seven spots, from which the species derives both its common and scientific name.

There has also been an increase in damselflies and dragon flies around the pools and streams. Here is an example I found recently, theRed- Veined darter Sympetrum fonscolombii who's species has become more popular in Britain and Ireland. 

I also went pond dipping to find any fauna that was living undetected beneath the water. I found tadpoles and alderfly larvae. 

I hope you enjoy my images and extra information on the relevant species.

Location : Trebah Gardens
Date: 21st June 2011
Time: 1pm - 3pm
Weather: Southerly warm and gentle winds, soft sunlight.  
Map Reference: SW767273