A recent arrival...

In 1992, the Ivy Bee didn’t exist. Or, rather, it did – but scientists didn’t recognise it as a full species until the following year. Until 2001, this European creature was unknown in the UK. Since then it has spread rapidly from the south coast northwards. It reached north Norfolk by 2014 – and even my garden in the same county this autumn. It is the largest member of its genus, with broad orange-and-black bands on its abdomen. It is also the latest flying – routinely making it into November – and, as you have doubtless rightly guessed, has a thing for ivy flowers.