Pollen Beetles.

I've noticed these little chaps before without taking much notice and can only assume that they're pollen beetles, the ID is based on their size and the fact that they seem to be feeding on pollen; with several thousand species of beetles in the UK it is easier to say what they are not than what they are. The flower is a primitive rose of unknown variety in our garden. As a beekeeper, I'm aware that the wild dog rose and its relatives are good sources of pollen (but not nectar), they are also resistant to common rose diseases such as aphids, viruses and moulds. The more showy varieties have no place in our garden lacking the simple beauty and robust health of the wild rose and serving only to feed ants and ladybirds with their stock of aphids.

Today's back blip is "Work in Progress" from July the 10th