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interpretation scheme. There are a large variety of native and exotic trees, most of which I recognize, but there are a couple of oddities I'm going to have to do some research on.One of the most surprising finds is a large sprig of mistletoe growing on a broad

and 1950s, there was a series of sightings of this spectacular insect, which, as time went on, became more frequent.Most black and yellow wasp-like hoverflies bear aphid-eating larvae so beloved of gardeners. Volucella larvae have a much more exotic life

and eastern species in Britain. I've never seen it. I probably never will.My first post-snow bug was something much less exotic. It was the common bluebottle, Calliphora vomitoria (pictured above), buzzing around the guinea pig's cage. The pig

, and they must be a pretty curious bunch. Perhaps not as curious as entomologists though. I don't want to upset people, but at least six exotic relatives of vine weevils have turned up in Britain in the last 10 years, several in Chelsea Harbour, brought in from

of mere academic interest, except that Liz's final question gripped my attention: "Does anyone want it?"My daughters had nagged me some years ago to get a pet snake. We'd even visited various exotic pet stores, but nothing ever came of it. Tentatively, I

hoof-prints all over the small area of lawn, right down to the picnic tables outside the back door.Gazing out through the windows, at any time of day, we were met with what I'd usually consider equally exotic garden guests: pheasants, green finches