Harlequin Ladybird larva

On an Irlam garden wall. I believe this to be the larva of the Harlequin Ladybird, Harmonia axyridis. A recently arrived invasive species, this insect has spread rapidly north and westwards since first sightings in the southeast of the UK.

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Ruby Tailed Wasp

Saw this quite attractive insect the other day. A bit less than 1cm long. Never seen one before. It's not a fly but a parasitic wasp of a genus called Chrysis. They parasitise other insects like Mason Bees that raise their offspring in walls. This explains why it was systematically
going up and along ALL the mortar joints of a very big wall!