Pub Quiz thread

Nope sorry Bodbo.

 

Some sort of insect?

 

To summarize all the clues so far. It uses 'Johnstone's organs', which means it is not a bird. My wife saw one flitting between the lavender and the scarlet runner beans - which means it has an interest in flowers. Despite this it is not a bee, as there is no species of bee capable of flying over the channel. It is seen as a good omen - so it's probably not a midge or a mosquito. My wife was excited at seeing it. And there is an element of convergent evolution here - which is also evidenced by its name.

 

Getting warmer.

 

The clues come thick and fast now. If you have plants from America in your garden, such as scarlet runner beans, scarlet beebalm (Monarda didyma), or fruit sage. Or other flowers with a long narrow calyx - such as betony, then having these visitors in your garden may be a blessing. Their flight pattern is unique - being able to not only hover but also fly backwards.

 

Hover fly?

 

Getting closer.

 

Dragonflies?

 

Sorry Yorkie, not dragonflies. The key clue is the use of flowers with a long narrow calyx - a tube shaped corollae. In this case they have a natural advantage over most competitors. Their proboscis is longer than their body.

 

Oh alright then... it's the Hummingbird Moth. I actually knew this one... the D-Day thing gave it away.

 

I didn't think of that because they are so common in my garden.

 

All yours Fez. It is the Hummingbird Hawk Moth. A swarm of these was seen crossing the Channel immediately prior to the D Day crossing. Fascinating creatures to watch actually drinking nektar through a proboscis which is longer than themseves. More common in France and the south of Germany they are now starting to be able to winter in England as well. Take it away.

 

Name Britain's first National Park.

 

The first was the Peak District. Have to make a political point here by saying that had it been left to the Tories there would never have been national parks in England and Wales.

 

Too easy, sorry! Hope you have a question ready...

 

Cheers Fez. Sticking to the theme of national parks - which country in Europe has the highest percentage of it's land area officially designated as national park area ?

 

To clarify - 8.2% of the land area of the UK. is covered by national park. There are 3 countries in Europe with a higher percentage - I will take any of them.

 

Norway? .

 

Not Norway Yorkie.

 

Judging by the number of signs I see about regional parks, I will have a guess at France.