Firebugs (Pyrrhocoris apterus), known locally as “Gendarmes” are common in France, often associated with Lime trees. This is a nymph, not a full adult, found in the garden in Frejus. Seems these bugs didn’t become too widely established in UK yet. The small beetles are not identified - one morning there were thousands of them all over the outside of the garden compost bin.
These are a couple of beautiful flowers found on a short walk around Frejus. Small-flowered Catchfly (Silene Gallica), or Silene de France, is found on rough ground all around the Mediterranean. This version, Silene gallica quinquevulnera or Five-wounds Catchfly, with its pale edges to the petals is the common one in the Var and is especially pretty. The impressive looking orchid is a Violet Birds-nest Orchid (Limodorum abortivum) or Violet Limidore. This is a parasitic orchid living off fungi that are associated with the roots of Oak trees. It is found especially in Southern France, in damper and shady woodland.
I’m currently over in France. and came across this enormous grasshopper in the yard, hiding out on some old fence materials. Female Egyptian Locusts can grow up to 7cm in length and apart from their size can be recognised by their odd striped eyes. They can be found year-round here, over-wintering as adults; but they do occasionally turn up in UK either as accidental escapes or potentially wind-blown vagrants.
I’m currently on holiday in France, so here are some garden insects from the Var. I brought my moth trap, but failed to catch anything more than a handful of micros. The largest insect that was attracted to the light was a largish lacewing fly, Chrysope italienne. Meanwhile a local jumping spider, Menemerus semilimbatus, was eating one of the few mall moths that came. Ameles spallanzani is a small species of praying mantis. All of the above are largely Mediterranean species.
Passionate about nature, based in Gloucestershire UK; this site is about creating a wildlife friendly family garden and exploring the diversity of animal & plant species that share it with us.
As a nature lover and wildlife gardener I started wondering about the biodiversity in my backyard and just how many species from plants to insects to birds to mammals might live in or visit it.
Much of the wildlife in my small, village garden has been present right under my nose for years without my really appreciating it, so on the way I am learning a lot about different species and how to make a wildlife-friendly environment for them; also getting engaged more in conservation activities around Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and the Cotswolds.
My garden species tally started from zero on June 1st 2018, the target was 1000 species, which I eventually hit in June 2024. But there’s still plenty to see and learn about.
I'm very interested in your comments & advice: whether it's about the blog, some help with identification or just how to make my own little Eden better for wildlife. So please leave a comment or drop me a line if you feel like it!
Graham Tompsett
microedenproject@gmail.com
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