Two Bee or Not to Bee?

Back from our jaunt to the high Pyrenees, the world once more becomes our garden. Our three days away has seen the wisteria burst into life and attracting insects by the score.

These two great specimens are what are known as borinots, bee shaped but not bees, they are also known as self destructive lovers of naked flames and often get into the outside lights and burn themselves to death.

They seem to have a fascination for small crevices and spend most of the day seeking out nest sites in our bamboo wind chimes and the cracks in the stone walls. They stuff their chosen sites with grass and lay eggs which as yet I have never managed to see hatch, as they either disappear or become some other insects prey, I really don't know.

What I do know is that they are harmless and charming, a bit like some of the bumbling but amiable teachers I remember from school. Long may they hover about and feed and fertilise the plants.