Talkback: The insects have gone berserk

Gardeners' World Web User · November 2011

Now how did your beetle arrive over here from South Africa? People do not usually bother to import rotten wood. Was it brought in on imported flowers or fruit? Or did it drop off a plane from S.A.? The detective in me is aroused, Richard. But I can understand your excitement over finding it among the beautiful but familiar native insects and that it finds our climate kind to its lifestyle. So many things change our ecology nowadays that I think we should all be wildlife detectives.

Gardeners' World Web User · April 2011

We have noticed a very large number of ladybirds in our garden. Also we are seeing all the butterflys you mention. We also have over 20 newts who are very busy in the pond. A robin is also nesting in the ivy on the garage wall and is in and out all day with her beak full of caterpillars etc. The whole garden is very very busy, I just love it

Gardeners' World Web User · April 2011

i have three tawny miner bees in my allotment

Gardeners' World Web User · April 2011

I trap moths in my garden for identification and all records then go to Shropshire Wildlife Truct and the National Moth Recording Scheme and I have to say most species are quite a bit earlier than previous years.

In fact, last Friday a Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella) appeared that is normally on the wing June-August! Looking at records going back to the early 1900's my sighting is the earliest ever.

Gardeners' World Web User · April 2011

Surely the cold spell was just a brief return to the normality of the past and acted as a natural way of eradicating weak life forms, allowing new stronger generations to flourish? xx

Gardeners' World Web User · April 2011

Interesting post, I have also witnessed very high levels of 'bug' life in my garden over the last few weeks. What is very pleasing to see are so many bees, we now have three bees nests in the garden this year! Butterflies have been prevalent also with the orange tip visiting in masses, I put this down to the large number of dandelions around in the fields near us this year? As you we also have holly blue amongst several other species. I hope this great turn out this spring signifies the start of a great year for us gardeners!

http://higgysgardenproject.blogspot.com/

Gardeners' World Web User · April 2011

I have had lots of ladybirds i put a bug box up last year, around Feb and March this year i saw some of them sunbathing and they had Seven spots i was pleased to see. Unfortunately i found a wasps nest in a bag of compost near the House so i have had to get rid of it as i have small children comeing to the house also lots of Bees in the garden.

Gardeners' World Web User · May 2011

And the lily beatles are on the march - I dealt with several yesterday afternoon/

Gardeners' World Web User · May 2011

Ah, yes, the lily beetle. I have taken my lilies indoors where they do not seem to find the pots but, in the Botanic garden the lilium lancifolium in the Chinese Herbal garden had dozens on them on Thursday and , though I was not averse to watching the other volunteers doing away with them, I found I could not kill a living creature and just pretended to be helping. If only we could grow some extra just for the beetle that would be fine. The adult is so handsome, almost as appealing as an adult ladybird.

Gardeners' World Web User · May 2011

i have two types of bubble bee in my garden and they seem to be coming out in a hole in the soil. I love them and didnot realise that they live under ground. I live in county durham. Ladybirds our out and so are butterflies. plus all my dandilions have gone to seed.

Gardeners' World Web User · May 2011

I hope we get some rain soon, otherwise this ridiculously early heatwave will have drastic effects on our wildlife...

Talkback: The insects have gone berserk

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