Rosemary Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina americana)

Rosemary Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina americana), originally uploaded by Pipsissiwa.

When I spotted this beetle on some variegated sage, my first thought was how exotic it looked. It is surprisingly large and I love the oil-on-water colouring and lines of dimples. Sadly it flew away (an impressive sight) and I haven't seen another in the garden to date.

Fly (Rhingia campestris)

Fly (Rhingia campestris), originally uploaded by Pipsissiwa.

When I first spotted this fly enjoying Ajuga nectar one spring, I had to give it a double-take. At first I thought it was two flies mating, but on closer inspection I realised that it had this extraordinary and distinctive protrusion in the front of the head. Unmistakable and easy to identify.

Drone Fly

Drone Fly, originally uploaded by Pipsissiwa.

A beautiful example of mimicry. This is a fly, but it looks a lot like a bee to avoid getting eaten. It has no sting. The single pair of wings coupled with haltares (balance organs under each wing not clearly visible in this pic) and the eyes give it away. This is actually one of the hoverflies, and is very acrobatic in ways that bees generally are not.

Fly

Fly, originally uploaded by Pipsissiwa.

I am unsure of the species of this nondescript grey, red-eyed fly, but I was thrilled by the photo opportunity presented by its choice of resting place.

Fly

Fly, originally uploaded by Pipsissiwa.

Not sure in species on this one, but it has a lovely yellow abdomen and deep burgundy-red eyes.

Mating Flies

Mating Flies, originally uploaded by Pipsissiwa.

Ah, the cycle of life. I see these tiny flies all the time in the summer, usually sitting right at the tip of blades of grass as this pair are, presumably waiting for a mate. Notice how much smaller the male is than the female.

Greenbottle Fly (Lucillia caesar)

Greenbottle Fly (Lucillia caesar), originally uploaded by Pipsissiwa.

Everyone is familiar with greenbottles and bluebottles, your standard summer flies that buzz around the living room windows. What we typically overlook is how beautiful these insects actually are. The metallic green colouring is amazingly in sunlight, and contrasts nicely with the deep red compound eyes.