Love Bugs

[jared25]

Have just realised this needs to be posted tomorrow. Would be grateful for any help with the following.

While Peony had a run they sat near a pond looking at the ducks and moorhens, 'There's the -------- ----------(9) as well' he said.

Maggie became impatient and told Kate she was straining at a -------(4)

[Christiana]

The second word could be 'gnat'. Is the first one two words?

[jared25]

Thanks Christiana. Yes the first one is two words but it does not say how many letters in each word just that together there are 9 letters.

[Christiana]

Just a vague possibility. Could it be the camel bird. It's another name for an ostrich and sort of fits into the Biblical story Jesus told about the Pharisees who swallowed camels and strained at gnats.
I don't know the competition you're doing so don't know if it is likely. Good luck

[jared25]

All the answers are insects or associated creatures i.e. flies, beetles, moths etc