Beetlemania

"If one could conclude as to the nature of the Creator from a study of creation it would appear that God has an inordinate fondness for stars and beetles." (John B S Haldane (1892-1964)

BEETLE AWAY THIS SUMMER, FROM POND DIPPING TO CONSTRUCTING A BEETLEBANK ...

There are all sorts of wonderful events up and down the country this National Insect Week for you to take part in, from pond dipping to bee hunts! Organised every two years by the Royal Entomological Society, the aim of the week (which is running from 21st -27th June 2021) is to encourage people of all ages to appreciate and learn more about insects. You can visit their website Here.

The Wildlife Trusts and Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) have also combined forces this summer, to launch a citizen science project, calling on gardeners to help our beetles in a number of different ways including the construction of 'beetle banks' and reporting sightings, in response to growing evidence that our cold and wet spring has affected population numbers. Normally, June is 'peak beetle season' but there are fears that they may be struggling.

Beetles are a vital part of our ecosystem, as well pollinating our flowers and crops and recycling nutrients, they munch on garden insects like aphids and snails, whilst acting as food for larger creatures such hedgehogs and birds, but they are threatened by pesticides, habitat loss and climate change. Did you know that even though there are over 4,000 species of beetle in the UK, less than a handful of these will nibble your plants?

If you've taken part in 'No Mow May' or have been leaving a patch of grass to grow long, "You can now expect to see weevils and beetles on flowering daisies and buttercups and, if you're really lucky, a glow worm or two among the grass," said Helen Bostock, senior horticultural advisor at the RHS. "There's still time to stop mowing a section of lawn for the summer or benefit your local beetle population by making a beetle bank."

Instructions of how create a 'beetle bank' as well as a 'beetle bucket' or 'dead hedge' in your garden or local green space can be found in a Free downloadable guide on the 'Wild about Gardens' website. The site is also full of lots of information including beetle identification charts and checklists. In particular, they are also encouraging the public to report any sightings of soldier beetles, click beetles and longhorn beetles (via their online chart or the iNaturalist phone app) so that conservationists can get a better sense of beetle numbers this year. So 'Pledge your Patch' and enjoy ...