THE first meeting of Okehampton Beekeepers saw entomologist and wildlife consultant John Waters give a talk on 'The secret world of the undergrowth'.

The talk attracted a large audience of more than 40 members to Whiddon Down Village Hall.

John began his talk, illustrated throughout with a comprehensive series of photographs, by saying there are over 23,000 different known species of insect in the UK. Alongside the honey bee there are 230 different species of solitary bee.

His talk coveres insects' varied and complex forms of survival and defence mechanisms, habitat provision and finished off his talk with a series of videos of natural phenomena.

Questions were then invited from the audience. More information can be found online at http://www.johnwalters.co.uk">www.johnwalters.co.uk

The next beekeepers' meeting is on Thursday, February 12 at Whiddon Down. The subject will be 'Swarming — why do bees do it?' presented by David Stevens and Simon O'Sullivan.