Growing
How To Grow Kale: 'It Just Keeps Growing And [Needs] Minimal Maintenance'
IN THIS GUIDE Overview Why Grow Kale? How To Grow Kale Growing Outdoors Growing Indoors Planting Out Kale Plant Care Common Pests References Kale is a tasty and increasingly trendy type of cabbage. It has big, dense curly leaves, and for most varieties, these will be a rich dark green. It’s a great plant for growing in your garden – after reading this guide you’ll have all the info you need to grow it at home. Overview Botanical Name Brassica oleracea Common Name(s) Kale Plant Type Vegetable Native Area None (Cultivated) Hardiness Rating H4 Foliage Large, edible leaves Flowers Small, not desired Kale is a versatile ingredient that you can use in salads, in dishes, or as a garnish. “Unusually for me, I have 3-4 varieties of kale growing in my garden in May already this year,” shares Kathy Slack, Garden Blogger. “I usually save it until later in the year, but I couldn’t resist growing it as soon as possible this year – I love it.” It features in recipes including everything from roasted sesame seeds, to fried chorizo and poached egg, to the humble British potato. Why Grow Kale? If you fancy growing this wonder vegetable in your garden, you’re in luck. There are a few things you need to do to take care of it – which we’ll cover later – but it’s nowhere near as strenuous as some other plants. If you’re not convinced of its benefits already, here are some reasons why kale is a great plant to grow: Firstly, it’s hardy – kale tolerates cold and light shade well, and is not prone to as many pests and diseases as some other plants. Also, it will produce a good harvest in almost any condition. As long as you avoid heavy shade or particularly soggy ground, you’ll reap the bounty of your efforts each time it comes to harvesting. “I love growing kale,” shares Garden Writer Janice Shipp. “You will never starve if you grow kale as you can be picking it almost all year round.” How To Grow Kale “I grow a lot of perennial vegetables, especially kale,” shares Sara Venn, the Founder of Edible Bristol. “Kale just keeps growing and is minimal in terms of maintenance. All you have to do is keep weeding around them and they will get on with it and give you a great crop.” You have a few options for where to grow kale. It can either be grown in your garden as from seed, or indoors in window boxes, conservatories, or similar. Once seeds have sprouted indoors they can be moved outdoors for optimal results. The next sections of this guide will teach you how to grow kale in each of these places. Growing Outdoors The Old Farmer’s Almanac says that “you can plant kale at any time, from early spring to early summer”. We recommend sowing in early May. To prepare your kale bed, mix about a cup of general fertiliser and pour into your compost. Then you’re ready to plant your seeds. Planting about a centimetre deep into well-drained, light soil will give the seeds the best chance to thrive. After about 2 weeks, thin the seedlings so that they are spaced 20 to 30cm apart. We also recommend netting the plants to protect them from hungry birds, as kale is one of their favourites! “Covering the rows is a must in my garden,” says Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly. “Kale and cabbage are favourites for pigeons in particular and they will quickly devour any offerings I plant for them. “Covering with mesh also helps to prevent other leaf-munching fans of kale.” The best conditions for kale are full sun, moderately heavy and well-draining soil, and a pH level of around 6.5. It’s recommended to grow kale as part of a crop rotation, in order to maximise its access to nutrients in the soil, and to reduce the risk of pests. Growing Indoors Growing indoors is good because it protects the seedlings during the most vulnerable phase of their life. To do this, fill your pot nearly to the top with compost, then place two seeds in a hole 1cm deep. Cover them, water gently, and leave on a windowsill with lots of sunlight. The seeds will germinate anywhere from 5-30°C, although the optimal temperature is around 15°C. Planting Out You’ll want to transplant your kale outside around mid-June. Again, because kale is quite hardy, there is some flexibility with dates. You want to look for plants are about 15 centimetres tall, as these are most likely strong enough to be successfully moved. Plants sown indoors need to be ‘hardened off’ before being planted out. This means you give them a chance to get used to outdoor conditions before being transplanted, because there are fluctuations in temperature outside that plants aren’t used to, as well as more wind. To do this, leave them outdoors for a couple of hours on the first day, then incrementally longer over a week or so. When it’s time to plant them out, plant them a couple of centimetres deeper than they were before, and keep about fifty centimetres between the plants. Water the ground if it is dry, and take care not to disturb the roots. Kale Plant Care It’s a hardy plant, but you still need to a few things to give your kale the best chance to grow strong. Here are our top kale care tips: Remove yellow or yellowing leaves from the plant. Water the soil when conditions are dry. Keep a careful eye out for weeds shortly after planting, and remove them quickly. Add a nitrogen-rich feed in mid-February to encourage new shoots. Consider putting a cloche over your kale plant in winter to keep the plant warmer and encourage more tender leaves. You’ll need to keep an eye out for pests, too. The next section introduces the most common kale pests, and how to deal with them. Common Pests It’s not just humans that enjoy eating kale – many bugs and pests are attracted to the rich, green leaves. Aphids Remove and compost the leaves if aphids have infected your plant These insects can affect kale, just like most other plants. They make their home on a leaf, eat the nutrients inside, and are very hard to dislodge. The best option is to remove and compost infected leaves before the aphids have a chance to spread. Cabbage White Butterfly Cabbage white butterfly – also known as cabbageworm caterpillars – will eat holes in leaves, and impact the health of your plant. Cabbage Whitefly Cabbage whitefly occurs when larvae make their homes on kale leaves. You will see a cloud of white ‘dust’ when you move the leaves. This pest weakens the plant, and can make it vulnerable to other diseases. Cabbage Root Fly Larvae These eat the root of the kale, which prevents the plant from getting enough water. If left untreated this can seriously hinder the plant’s ability to grow. Flea Beetles A pesky flea beetle looking right at home These are another pest you may find, and prevention is easier than removal. Consider row covers to keep your kale protected, and a layer of mulch on surrounding soils to prevent beetle larvae developing into adult beetles. Club Root Keep an eye out for club root, too, even though this will not ‘eat’ the leaves of your kale. It is an affliction of the kale root, so you have to look out for signs above the ground. Wilted leaves with a blue tint can signify this problem.
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Growing French Lavender - Positioning In A Frost-Free Location Is Key
IN THIS GUIDE Overview How To Grow French Lavender French Lavender Care French Vs English Lavender References French Lavender, known formally as Lavandula stoechas, is an evergreen herb shrub with aromatic properties. It is also sometimes known under the names ‘Spanish Lavender’ or ‘Butterfly Lavender’. A bushy, low-maintenance plant, it looks and smells beautiful – and can grow almost anywhere, which makes it incredibly popular amongst UK gardeners. Despite being low-maintenance, to get the most out of this stunning plant, we recommend following our tips below to ensure it is planted in the right areas and cared for properly over time. Overview Botanical Name Lavandula stoechas Common Name(s) French Lavender Plant Type Shrub / Herb Native Area West Mediterranean Hardiness Rating H4 Foliage Narrow, grey-green leaves Flowers Dark purple flowers When To Sow March, April, May, June Flowering Months May, June, July, August, September When To Prune September, October Lavender is commonly used in perfumes, potpourris and essential oils. In the past it was also used to perfume baths and clothes, so it’s fair to say that this is a smell most people will recognise. The plant itself will grow upright – usually to no more than 1m in height. The fragrance emanates from the cylindrical heads that taper to reveal bright purple flowers, often referred to as its ‘ears’. These elegant flowers are also the origin of the name ‘Butterfly Lavender’. The leaves of the plant are long, pointed and bushy – resembling those of Rosemary. French Lavender is said to be less hardy than its counterpart English Lavender (see our comparison below) and will generally last around five years. There are ways in which to preserve its lifespan through cuttings, which we cover in more detail below. Flowering season typically begins in early May, with further flowering mid-summer and in late summer or early autumn. Interestingly, French Lavender is actually considered a weed in many parts of Australia.1 How To Grow French Lavender Because this is such a battle-hardy plant, it can be grown nearly anywhere. However, we do recommend placing it in an area that will avoid frost. Temperatures of -7°C and below will likely kill the plant, so it needs protection in extreme winter conditions. Lavender can be used in garden edging, on banks and slopes, adjacent to walls and fencing, near ponds and outdoor water features – it pretty much fits in anywhere. It’s recommended that it should be planted in a location where it will receive maximum exposure to sunlight, but still be sheltered from over-exposure to wind and rain. Generally it will fare best in soil that is dry and well-drained – the RHS recommend soil with Chalk, Sand & Loam properties for it to thrive.2 Good drainage and proper air circulation are essential if you’re planting French Lavender in a warm, humid climate. French Lavender Care Watering Watering is easy – as a Mediterranean plant, French lavender thrives in hot, dry conditions and will rarely need watering. You may need to give it a hand in the event of a heat wave but otherwise, rainwater should suffice. Pruning & Deadheading As the plants fade out of bloom towards the end of summer, you should look to remove the heads by cutting the stem below the spent flower, ideally just above the first healthy set of leaves. This is known as ‘deadheading’ – not only will this keep the plant looking its best, but it will promote fresh growth the following season. In terms of pruning, there is one core rule to follow: Only ever prune growth that still bears leaves. You should never cut into the wood of the plant (or it won’t grow back) and it’s important not to take too much away when cutting. Use secateurs when pruning as these will offer a good, clean cut. When pruning you should look at young shoots rather than old growth – these aren’t going to respond well to pruning. Cut roughly two-thirds of new growth back towards the old wood – this will leave fresh shoots for the following season. You can use the flowers as a fragrance in potpourri and even store them in your wardrobes to enhance the smell of fresh laundry. French Vs English Lavender Whilst these lavender plants are related and highly similar, there are some subtle differences between the two types that are worth noting. Aroma The first and probably most important difference is the smell. The typical Lavender smell that many have become accustomed to is the scent of English Lavender. The French plant produces a similar smell, but it has subtle hints of Rosemary too – worth considering if this is your main reason for growing the plant. Cultivation French Lavender is much less commonly cultivated than English Lavender – and English Lavender is the type you’re more likely to see in British gardens and containers. Hardiness English Lavender is hardier than the French variety, which will struggle to tolerate very harsh winter conditions. Height French Lavender will generally grow taller than the English variety – reaching up to a metre tall, nearly twice the height. The flowers last much longer on the French plant, with a bloom time that lasts all the way from the beginning of spring to the late summer. “I use French lavender where the flowers are combined as part of a Mediterranean planting,” says Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly. “This allows the flowers to compete with other summer flowering perennials and shrubs due to the larger size and height of the flowers. “Like other Mediterranean plants, they are susceptible to hard frost, but they associate well together.” References 1. Worrying Weeds of Wamboin: Topped Lavender (Lavandula stoechas). (n.d.). NSW Landcare Gateway. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://landcare.nsw.gov.au/groups/gearys-gap-wamboin-landcare-group/worrying-weeds-of-wamboin-topped-lavender-lavandula-stoechas/ 2. Lavandula stoechas | French lavender. (n.d.). Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/24039/lavandula-stoechas/details
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We Can All Help Butterflies Flourish Again: Just Follow These 12 Ideas From Gardeners
IN THIS GUIDE How Can We Help Butterflies? 1) Don’t Despair 2) Make Your Garden Butterfly-Friendly 3) Create ‘Nectar Bars’ For Passing Pollinators 4) Tell Your Neighbours! 5) Record The Butterflies That Visit 6) Volunteer For Butterfly Counts 7) Teach People About Butterflies 8) Rear Caterpillars 9) Support Landscape-Scale Conservation Projects 10) Support Reintroductions 11) Support The Implementation Of Government Policy 12) Donate To Charities And Organisations Supporting Butterflies What Types Of Butterflies Do We Have In Britain? Why Do We Need Butterflies? What Are The Risks To British Butterflies? References Butterflies are one of nature’s most enchanting creatures. They are colourful, delicate, and graceful. But, sadly, almost all butterfly populations are currently in decline. There are various factors impacting them all at once, and they are struggling to adapt fast enough.1 This guide introduces the butterflies we have in Britain, as well as the threats they are currently facing. There are also twelve ways that you can get involved in helping butterflies to flourish. After reading you’ll have a solid understanding of the issues facing butterflies, and the motivation and knowledge to help! How Can We Help Butterflies? There are glimmers of hope, and these are what we must hold on to. There is widespread – and increasing – awareness of the issue, with several organisations leading the charge. Some populations have bounced back after conservation efforts were implemented.2 Things are moving – and can continue to move – in the right direction. Here are 12 steps you can take to help that happen: 1) Don’t Despair The constant barrage of things to be concerned about can be daunting. But it is vital to hold onto the fact that things are changing. People are becoming more aware, and are demanding action as a result. The next generation have already demanded action from governments and grown-ups.3 By redirecting panic and despair into constructive action – however small – contributes to the solution rather than wallowing in the problem. It is important to bear this quote in mind, from the Butterfly Conservation charity: “The declines of several threatened species appear to have been halted, and a range of species have become more abundant and widespread”.4 2) Make Your Garden Butterfly-Friendly Butterflies will stop off at any garden where they can get a supply of tasty nectar, and gardens are especially important pit-stops between habitats and other green areas. Cosmos are a favourite of butterflies By planting the right plants you can attract butterflies and other pollinators to your garden where they can recharge, hang out, and maybe even breed.5 “If you are wondering if the actions you take in your garden will really make a difference, I can confidently confirm they will,” shares Dan Ori, a Master Horticulturist. “The potential for our gardens to benefit wildlife like butterflies is massive when you accumulate individual efforts, even if we just counted urban residential gardens in Great Britain we would be looking at approximately 520,000 hectares of land.” Here are some pointers for making your garden butterfly-friendly, taken in part from a guide by Butterfly Conservation6: Plant nectar plants in sunny, sheltered spots. Butterflies like warmth! Plant a variety of flowers to appeal to a wider selection of butterflies. You’ve got a big list to choose from, including names like balkan clary, cosmos, French marigold, gayfeather, giant hyssop, calendula, lambs ears, catmint, coneflower, dahlia, shasta daisy, wild marjoram, and many more. Choose plants that flower throughout the year, to attract butterflies in all seasons. Plant nasturtiums near brassicas if you grow vegetables: This could lure caterpillars away from your crops, and give them somewhere safe to grow. Choose other plants that caterpillars like, to give them extra protection. Honeysuckle, jasmine, hop, and clematis are popular contenders. Plant stinging nettles to attract certain butterfly types, and plant them in sunken containers to prevent them spreading across your entire garden. Use organic compost and keep plants watered, so that they thrive for as long as possible. (Avoid peat compost: This is taken from ecosystems where butterflies are in decline, and which should be left alone!) More information can be found in the Gardening for Butterflies leaflet, which has some fantastic ideas.7 You can buy wildflower seed mixes for your garden that contain species beneficial to butterflies.8 3) Create ‘Nectar Bars’ For Passing Pollinators You don’t have to have a garden to be able to help butterflies and other pollinators. A window box will do (or a balcony, roof terrace, front porch, or similar). Putting a nectar bar somewhere on your property is the butterfly equivalent of having a service station on a motorway: It gives them the opportunity to rest and refuel on their journey to somewhere more suited to their needs. All you need to do is to set up a window box or similar sized flowerbed, choose the right flowers, and plant them in the right configuration. Here are some pointers: Plant low-growing plants at the front. This includes things like scabious, cranesbill, and thyme. Plant medium height plants in the middle. Lavender, phlox, and wallflower are ideal candidates. Larger plants should go at the back. Hebe, sunflower, and purpletop will do the trick. This configuration will make it as easy as possible for passing butterflies to identify flowers they like, and will increase the likelihood of them visiting. You can use those guidelines when building butterfly-friendly flowerbeds in your garden, too. 4) Tell Your Neighbours! Helping butterflies and other insects to get between areas with no plants, pollen, or nectar is important in helping them to flourish. If your nectar bar is one of many on your street, butterflies will have more places to stop and refuel on their journeys. A butterfly feeding on some tasty nectar This has the combined benefit of making your street more attractive and colourful, and sparking conversation amongst your neighbours. 5) Record The Butterflies That Visit Identifying the butterflies that come to your garden and recording their visit is a great way to contribute to the data being collected about their populations which, as we’ve seen, is used to plan and inform all sorts of conservation efforts. There is an app for identifying butterflies called iRecord, and you can download it for free through Google9. iRecord automatically submits sighting information once you have confirmed one, and attaches your location via GPS to make your contribution as useful as possible. 6) Volunteer For Butterfly Counts According to the state of the UK’s butterflies 2015 report, tens of thousands of volunteers across 2,000 locations have contributed almost 3 million butterfly distribution records (as of 2015).11 This data is vital in understanding changing butterfly populations, and volunteers are always required. Butterfly habits and numbers are an early indicator of how other animals will respond to changing conditions, so a clear idea of their numbers is super important. On counts, you’ll either be counting butterflies, egg numbers, or larval nests in an area. You’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for chrysalises 7) Teach People About Butterflies This may sound simple, but a lot of people aren’t aware of the enormous variety of butterflies we have in the UK, or the role they play. Show kids butterflies, caterpillars, and chrysalises. Try to demonstrate the wonder of seeing the transformation between the stages of life. Part of the problem that leads to declining animal populations is a disconnect between humans and nature, which leads to disinterest (also called the Nature Deficit).12 Some weird butterfly facts that are sure to pique the interest of even the most stubbornly anti-nature child (or adult!): They transform from caterpillars to butterflies: Two creatures that look completely different. During their transformation, they turn completely into goo and reassemble themselves from scratch. The ‘powder’ on butterflies’ wings is actually tiny scales, which are made from waste products of their bodily processes. These scales regenerate over time.13 They taste through their feet!14 Tapping into this is important for the success of future conservation efforts. 8) Rear Caterpillars The best way to convey the wonder of butterflies’ transformation is to see it in real time. By rearing caterpillars in your home, you can do just that. All you need is a plastic pot with a mesh lid, some peat-free compost, and a cool, dark place to keep their temporary home. When your caterpillars have fed they will turn into a chrysalis, and after a while they will hatch into butterflies. A butterfly hatching 9) Support Landscape-Scale Conservation Projects Such projects, managed by organisations like Butterfly Conservation, are vital to countering declining butterfly numbers.15 Sites must be chosen and managed carefully by a project manager with experience and an understanding of the situation. The entire process is informed by data, partly provided by butterfly counts and similar. Deliberate and well-managed conservation projects have helped species like Duke of Burgundy161718 to see their numbers bounce back. 10) Support Reintroductions The large blue butterfly went extinct in the UK but was successfully reintroduced from a Scandinavian population.19 They are now considered critically endangered, but make a strong case for the reintroduction of animal populations. 11) Support The Implementation Of Government Policy Individual action is great, but for butterflies to truly be protected, the government must implement environmental policies that prioritise their wellbeing. Butterfly Conservation identify several policy points that they feel must be implemented for meaningful change to occur20: Maintain and restore high quality, resilient habitats through landscape-scale projects. Restore the species-focussed approach that has proved effective in reversing the decline of threatened species. While an integrated ‘ecosystem services’ view of biodiversity is important, it alone will not save threatened butterflies. Enhance funding for agri-environment and woodland management schemes targeted at species and habitats of conservation priority. Restore the wider landscape for biodiversity in both rural and urban areas, to strengthen ecosystems and benefit the economy and human welfare. Encourage public engagement through citizen science schemes such as the BNM212223. Increase the use (and monitoring) of landscape-scale projects for threatened wildlife and ensure that funding mechanisms are in place to support them (e.g. landfill tax credits) Supporting organisations with such efforts lends your voice to the cause, and financial contributions give them the power to work harder. 12) Donate To Charities And Organisations Supporting Butterflies If you want to donate financially, here are a few ways to do it: Donate to Butterfly Conservation, whose latest appeal is to save the Duke of Burgundy.24 Donate to the World Wildlife Federation (WWF), who are running a campaign to save the monarch butterfly.25 Donate to the Bee and Butterfly Fund, and support the restoration of pollinator habitats.26 This is a challenge without an easy solution, and it won’t be easy to reverse the damage already done, but all of the steps above will help. Spreading the word will help. Raising awareness, planting plants, donating money, and sharing the wonder of butterflies will all help. We can do this! What Types Of Butterflies Do We Have In Britain? There are a whopping 17,500 species of butterfly in the world, according to the Smithsonian Institute.27 The largest is Queen Alexandra’s birdwing, whose wingspan can be up to 25cm: about the size of the average dinner plate.28 At the other end of the size spectrum is the Western pygmy blue, whose wingspan is about 1.25cm. That’s about the width of your pinky nail.29 Butterflies eat nectar from flowers, and use the energy it contains to fuel all of their day-to-day activities, from hibernating, to mating, to flying. The last one is no small job, either: some butterflies fly all the way to other continents as part of their migrations!30 Here are all the classifications of butterflies, into which all species fall:31 Hesperiidae (skippers) are known and named for their quick and darting movements. They have crochet-hook like antennae clubs, and stocky bodies that make them look more similar to moths than some other butterfly types. Papilionidae (swallowtails) are large and colourful butterflies with forked tails that bring to mind swallows (hence the name). Pieridae (whites and yellows) are often white, yellow, and orange, with black accents. The males “exhibit gregarious mud-puddling behavior when they may imbibe salts from moist soils”. We’re not quite sure what that means, but it sounds intriguing. Lycaenidae (hairstreaks, coppers, and blues) are interesting because their caterpillars have markings at their tail that looks like eyes, which confuses potential predators and gives the caterpillar more time to escape. Riodinidae (metalmarks) are so named because of the metallic-looking markings found on their wings. Nymphalidae (fritillaries, nymphalids, and browns) are the largest butterfly family, and often hold their wings flat when resting rather than keeping them closed together. Hedylidae, who so closely resemble moths that they are often considered to require their own taxonomic family, rather than be classified with butterflies. While there is debate about the suitability of these classifications, they provide enough guidance for spotters to make a good guess at what they’re looking at. The question of which features and variations require different classifications is one that is always present in taxonomy (scientific categorisation of animals), but this isn’t a debate that should concern the casual spotter! What can you expect to see? In the UK we have all of the types mentioned above, except for Hedylidae. We have several types of butterfly population: Residents are native species traditionally found in the UK and whose presence is consistent and expected. Migratory species that visit the UK reliably and regularly. Clouded yellow, red admiral, and painted lady are some common migratory butterflies. Vagrants are species not native to the UK and whose migratory habits do not usually bring them here, but who are sometimes spotted. Exotics are species included in UK population lists, but which aren’t thought to occur or have occurred naturally in the wild. Within these categories, there are two types: Habitat specialist butterflies rely heavily on specific habitats, and are quickly susceptible to decline if their homes are disturbed or destroyed. Wider countryside types are less dependent on individual habitats, and can make themselves comfortable in a wider range of settings. They are less prone to decline through habitat destruction, but they are still at risk. There are about 60 types of butterflies in the UK, which is too many to list here.32 You can find butterfly identification guides online33, or they can be bought quite cheaply34 Here are some common types to keep a lookout for: The Duke of Burgundy, a name whose origins are unknown, and a butterfly that, according to Countryfile, breeds “in shady situations” and “squabbles like mad”. The Pearl-bordered fritillary, a butterfly who enjoys the nectar of the bugle flower, and who lives mainly in woodland clearings. The large blue, a species who went extinct in the UK in 1979, but that was successfully reintroduced from Swedish populations. The swallowtail, a large and colourful butterfly with tropical-looking markings. They enjoy hot weather. The white admiral, a butterfly that thrives on woodland bramble flowers. They are named for their distinctive white band markings. The high brown fritillary, a large and orange butterfly that is, sadly, also declining most quickly. The purple emperor, whose markings make it one of the most impressive butterflies we have. This type of butterfly does not visit flowers, instead taking their moisture from “unsavoury substances” (on whose nature no more information is given). The mountain ringlet, which is the only mountain butterfly in the UK. They get blown about by the wind but they don’t seem to mind. The Adonis blue, a special butterfly whose distinct blue markings are particularly striking. The brown hairstreak, who live high up in ash trees and are difficult to see as a result. An adonis blue butterfly with its particularly striking markings Why Do We Need Butterflies? They’re beautiful, and this has been proven to positively impact humans; just being near butterflies is enough to lift our moods. They are pervasive in our culture, too. They are associated with metamorphosis, and with changing form to something beautiful and proud: Imagery which is seen frequently in various art forms. According to the Butterfly Conservation report mentioned previously, “many people believe that butterflies have an intrinsic value, a right to exist that is not dependent on their value to other species (including humans), and that we have a moral or religious responsibility to prevent their extinction.” Especially when their peril is caused (or made worse) by human activity. As with bees, butterfly populations are seen as a bellwether to gauge the wider condition of the environment. They are the best-studied insect in the UK, and their attractive and non-threatening appearance gives them a widespread public appeal. Their ability to respond quickly to environmental change is especially helpful, because their responses are often indicative of how other species will respond. Because of this, butterfly population trends are used as Government biodiversity indicators, and contribute to the development and assessment of government policy. Butterflies are also pollinators and have a large role to play in the pollination of flowers and crops.35 In our content piece about protecting British bees we go into more detail about what pollination is and why it is important. In short, natural pollinators (water, wind, birds, and insects including butterflies and bees) are responsible for at least a third of human food production.36 Without them, the fruits and vegetables we eat would be much harder to grow, and more expensive as a result. Foods we grow to feed to animals used in farming (for meat and milk) would suffer the same fate. Protecting pollinators and allowing them to flourish is vital if we want to enjoy the same food choices we do today. What Are The Risks To British Butterflies? Butterflies are one of the most quickly declining populations in the natural world, according to a report published in the prestigious journal Science.37 There are seven levels of threat for animals. Of the ten butterflies we introduced earlier: Two are critically endangered. Two are endangered. Two are vulnerable. Four are near threatened. Zero are in the least concern category. This means that every type is under some level of threat. None are widespread and abundant. This is according to the Butterfly Conservation red list.38 Another report published by the Butterfly Conservation charity draws on several professional datasets, to give “a comprehensive and statistically robust evidence-base” on which to make assessments.39 They have found similarly distressing statistics about the decline of the majority of UK butterfly populations. Some of the datasets they use: The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) The Butterflies for the New Millennium (BNM) recording scheme Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey Big Butterfly Count What is causing this decline? Falling Numbers In the state of the UK’s butterflies 2022 report, some UK sites where butterflies are monitored have seen a 70% decline in occurrence and a 57% decline in abundance since 1976.40 This means butterflies are found much less frequently than they used to be, and when they are found, they are present in lower numbers. The occurrence and abundance of some butterflies increased in the same period: 47% of species increased in one or both measures.41 Some species have seen incredibly drastic drops in numbers: The instantly recognisable Monarch butterfly saw a 97% decline in populations since the 1980s.42 Where you used to get thriving colonies of monarchs living on trees, now you get a few stragglers. Destruction Of Habitats Intensive agriculture practices and increased demand for land for housing, roads, and other human activities mean that natural habitats are at risk.43 There is very little resistance when places like peat bogs and downland – which aren’t inherently interesting to most humans – are used for development. Changes in woodland management styles are thought to be responsible for declines in other butterfly populations.44 When decisions are made that prioritise certain uses for woodland, animal populations suffer. These two issues are particularly damaging for habitat specialist butterflies, because when their habitats are disrupted or destroyed, they don’t really have anywhere else to go. Wider countryside types are declining too, and this decline is less easily attributed to specific causes. When you consider that 97% of wildflower meadows have been destroyed since the 1940s, it’s not so hard to see why butterflies – even those that can adapt to new habitats – are struggling to readjust.45 Climate Change The spectre present on almost every conservationist’s radar rears its head when talking about butterflies, too.46 Some species adapt to climate change, with warmer summers attributed to increasing populations of some butterfly types. Others, however, see their migration patterns and habits disrupted by changing temperatures.47 Climate change also disrupts the times of year when flowers bloom, which can have knock-on effects for butterflies that fly when their preferred plants are in season (like the pearl-bordered fritillary, who we met earlier, that favours bugle plants). Essentially, unpredictable climate with larger variations in temperature presents various ongoing threats to butterfly populations.48 References 1. Warren, M. J., Maes, D., Van Swaay, C., Goffart, P., Van Dyck, H., Bourn, N. a. D., Wynhoff, I., Hoare, D., & Ellis, S. (2021). The decline of butterflies in Europe: Problems, significance, and possible solutions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 118(2). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2002551117 2. Butterflies bounce back. (2020, March 23). British Trust for Ornithology. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.bto.org/community/news/202003-butterflies-bounce-back 3. Taylor, M., Laville, S., Walker, A., Noor, P., & Henley, J. (2019, February 15). School pupils call for radical climate action in UK-wide strike. The Guardian. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/15/uk-climate-change-strike-school-pupils-children-environment-protest 4. The State of the UK’s Butterflies. (2015). Butterfly Conservation. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/soukb-2015.pdf 5. Teasdale, P. (n.d.). A gardener’s guide to butterfly-friendly plants. Natural History Museum. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/gardeners-guide-to-butterflies.html 6. Gardening For Butterflies. (n.d.). Butterfly Conservation. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://butterfly-conservation.org/how-you-can-help/get-involved/gardening/gardening-for-butterflies 7. Gardening For Butterflies. (n.d.-b). Butterfly Conservation. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/1.bc_gardening_leaflet_v3.pdf 8. Wildflower Seeds for bees, butterflies and pollinators. (n.d.). Landlife Wildflowers. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.wildflower.co.uk/products/wildflower-seed-species/perfect-for-pollinators-wildflower-seeds/ 9. iRecord Butterflies. (n.d.). Apps on Google Play. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.natural_apptitude.butterfly&pli=1 10. App Store. (2014, February 14). iRecord Butterflies. App Store. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/irecord-butterflies/id815539116 11. The State of the UK’s Butterflies. (2015b). Butterfly Conservation. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/soukb-2015.pdf 12. McKivigan, M. (2020, June 23). ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ Is Really a Thing. The New York Times. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/23/parenting/nature-health-benefits-coronavirus-outdoors.html 13. Villazon, L. (2020, April 21). What’s the powder on a moth’s wings? BBC Science Focus Magazine. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/whats-the-powder-on-a-moths-wings/ 14. CBC Kids Team. (2020, May 27). 5 fun facts about butterflies. CBC Kids. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.cbc.ca/kids/articles/five-fun-facts-about-butterflies 15. Homepage. (n.d.-b). Butterfly Conservation. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://butterfly-conservation.org/ 16. Barkham, P. (2019, May 27). The butterfly effect: what one species’ miraculous comeback can teach us. The Guardian. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/27/butterfly-miraculous-comeback-save-planet-duke-burgundy 17. BBC News. (2017, April 12). Small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly numbers boost. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39569824 18. Butterflies bounce back to best year in over two decades. (2019, February 28). Yorkshire Post. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/butterflies-bounce-back-best-year-over-two-decades-2504201 19. Large Blue Butterfly. (n.d.). UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.ceh.ac.uk/case-studies/case-study-large-blue-butterfly 20. Recording Strategy. (2015). Butterfly Conservation. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/recording-strategy-2015.pdf 21. Home. (n.d.-b). Butterflies for the New Millennium Online. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.butterflyrecording.org/ 22. Welcome to the UKBMS. (n.d.). UKBMS. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://ukbms.org/ 23. Big Butterfly Count. (n.d.). The Butterfly Conservation. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/ 24. Dukes on the Edge. (n.d.). Butterfly Conservation. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://butterfly-conservation.org/our-work/conservation-projects/england/dukes-on-the-edge 25. Help Save the Monarch Butterfly. (n.d.). WWF. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://support.worldwildlife.org/site/Advocacy?page=UserActionInactive&id=892 26. Give the gift that grows! (n.d.). The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.beeandbutterflyfund.org/giftsthatgrow.html 27. Butterflies. (n.d.). Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.si.edu/spotlight/buginfo/butterfly 28. Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing: Ornithoptera alexandrae. (2018, October 17). SBBT. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.sbbt.org.uk/conservation/queen-alexandras-birdwing/ 29. Western Pygmy Blue | Nature Collective. (2021, March 10). Nature Collective. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://thenaturecollective.org/animal-guide/details/western-pygmy-blue/ 30. Arnold, C. (2021, May 3). This Tiny Butterfly Can Fly a Record 2,500 Miles at a Time. National Geographic. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/animals-butterflies-migrations-europe-africa 31. The Linnaean System. (n.d.). Butterfly Taxonomy. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Taxonomy.html 32. Butterflies. (n.d.-b). The RSPB. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/other-garden-wildlife/insects-and-other-invertebrates/butterflies/ 33. Oates, M. (2022, July 26). Guide to British butterflies: how to identify and the best places to spot. Countryfile. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/insects-invertebrates/guide-to-british-butterflies-how-to-identify-and-the-best-places-to-spot/ 34. Butterflies of Britain. (2022, November 29). Steven Cheshire’s British Butterflies. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.britishbutterflies.co.uk/wp/product/butterflies-of-britain-laminated-id-chart/ 35. Why butterflies are beneficial to the environment. (2022, February 9). Good Living. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/goodliving/posts/2018/12/benefits-of-butterflies 36. Ritchie, H. (2021, August 2). How much of the world’s food production is dependent on pollinators? Our World in Data. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://ourworldindata.org/pollinator-dependence 37. Thomas, J. P., Telfer, M. G., Roy, D., Preston, C., Greenwood, J. J. D., Asher, J., Fox, R., Clarke, R., & Lawton, J. H. (2004). Comparative Losses of British Butterflies, Birds, and Plants and the Global Extinction Crisis. Science, 303(5665), 1879–1881. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1095046 38. Fox, R., Brereton, T., & Warren, M. (2010). The Butterfly Red List for Great Britain. Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/red-list.pdf 39. The State Of UK Butterflies. (n.d.). British Conservation. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/the-state-of-britains-butterflies 40. Barkham, P. (2023, February 3). UK butterflies vanish from nearly half of the places they once flew – study. The Guardian. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/03/uk-butterflies-vanish-from-nearly-half-of-the-places-they-once-flew-study 41. The State of the UK’s Butterflies 2022. (2022). Butterfly Conservation. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/State%20of%20UK%20Butterflies%202022%20Report.pdf 42. Canon, G. (2018, December 8). “It’s a sad reality”: a troubling trend sees a 97% decline in monarch butterflies. The Guardian. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/07/its-a-sad-reality-a-troubling-trend-sees-a-97-decline-in-monarch-butterflies 43. Harding, J. (2021, May 6). Habitat destruction and butterflies it eliminates. Butterfly Conservation Ireland. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://butterflyconservation.ie/wp/2021/05/06/habitat-destruction-and-the-butterflies-it-eliminates/ 44. Warren, M. J., Maes, D., Van Swaay, C., Goffart, P., Van Dyck, H., Bourn, N. a. D., Wynhoff, I., Hoare, D., & Ellis, S. (2021b). The decline of butterflies in Europe: Problems, significance, and possible solutions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 118(2). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2002551117 45. Gardening For Butterflies. (n.d.-c). Butterfly Conservation. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/1.bc_gardening_leaflet_v3.pdf 46. Birds and butterflies struggle with climate change. (n.d.). UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.ceh.ac.uk/news-and-media/news/birds-and-butterflies-struggle-climate-change 47. Monarch Butterflies and Climate Change. (n.d.). World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/monarch-butterflies-and-climate-change 48. Hill, G. M., Kawahara, A. Y., Daniels, J. C., Bateman, C. C., & Scheffers, B. R. (2021). Climate change effects on animal ecology: butterflies and moths as a case study. Biological Reviews, 96(5), 2113–2126. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12746
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Ecologists Share 15 Ways We Can Actively Help Bees In Our Local Environment
IN THIS GUIDE How We Can Actively Help Bees 1) Don’t Panic! 2) If You See A Bee, Don’t Squash It 3) Let Your Garden Grow Wild 4) Plant Flowers That Bees Like 5) Build A Bee Hotel 6) Get A Beesaver Kit From Friends Of The Earth 7) Give Them Something To Drink 8) Join A Beekeeping Club 9) Get Rid Of Beehives Without Calling The Exterminators 10) Buy Organic 11) Sign Petitions 12) Campaign Directly 13) Support Charities And Organisations 14) Spread The Word 15) Reassure People What Types Of Bees Do We Have In Britain? Why Do We Need Bees? What Are The Risks To British Bees? Examples Of Effective Action To Protect Bees References The sight of bees buzzing around a garden or meadow is one of the first signs of spring in Britain, and a pleasurable reminder of us living in harmony with nature. But our bees are in trouble! There are multiple factors putting bee populations at risk in the UK and around the world. “Any activity regarding the popularisation of the existence of bees is very important,” shares Mariusz Chudy, from the Goldendrops Bee Farm. “By keeping bees at the forefront of our planting we will always have pollinators around our homes.” This guide introduces the bees we have in the UK, the threats they are currently facing, and outlines fifteen ways you can help protect them and prevent further decline. How We Can Actively Help Bees While it may look like bees are up against it from all angles, it’s not all doom and gloom. Far from it. 1) Don’t Panic! This is an important first step. Use the energy as motivation to do something constructive instead. There are lots of examples of humans coming together to nip environmental problems in the bud, or to make meaningful change quickly. The Montreal Protocol is an international agreement to ban CFCs that helped prevent further damage to the ozone layer, which has since seen a good recovery.1 Charging people for carrier bags reduced the amount of bags in circulation by around 80% according to government analysis, that’s over six billion fewer bags.2 Now the trashtag is starting to gain traction, with people picking up as much rubbish as possible from their local area for social media bragging rights.3 2) If You See A Bee, Don’t Squash It Just let it go about its business and it will soon leave you alone. Obviously this isn’t going to contribute much to their wider decline, but every little helps. Some of the threats currently facing bees (and other insects) come from a position of humans not acknowledging or respecting their right to exist or – more cynically – the valuable roles they play for us. A cultural shift toward making decisions that do not actively harm bees and other creatures starts with small steps! If other people – especially children – see you let bees be, they are less likely to be seen as threats. It’s easier to be concerned about the declining numbers of a creature you see as friendly, helpful, and perhaps even cute (for proof of this, just take a look at the list of animals available for adoption through the WWF).4 This attitude trickles down from adults to children. 3) Let Your Garden Grow Wild There are some quick and easy things you can do to make your own garden more appealing for bees, giving them somewhere safe to go about their business. One way to do this is to swap your perfectly manicured lawn for something more natural: Let your grass grow, and let some wildflowers take hold. Clover, thyme, and dandelions are particular bee favourites. “Don’t mow so much,” says Bee Ecologist Dave Goulson. “Some people really struggle to get used to the idea of shaggier lawns with flowers in them, but they are beautiful.” How does your garden grow? “‘The British Beekeepers’ Association encourages everyone to partake in No Mow May to allow plants like dandelions to flower in the lawn,” shares Diane Drinkwater, the current Chair of the British Beekeepers Association. “This benefits all pollinators, not just the honey bees.” “People are slowly getting the message with things like No Mow May, which is really good, but there is still this long tradition of growing lawns that are really neat,” adds Dave. “In terms of resistance to drought and capturing carbon as well as biodiversity, it’s crazy to mow lawns and maintain a pure monocle of green grass.” Put away the weed killer, mow the lawn less frequently, and have a natural sprinkling of colour in your garden: It doesn’t sound too bad to us! 4) Plant Flowers That Bees Like “Growing bee-friendly plants is really important, whether it’s a pot of herbs left to flower or a tree, every flower helps,” Diane Drinkwater says. If you want to give bees more incentive to visit your garden, the Royal Horticultural Society has several lists of plants that, when planted, will attract bees and other insects into your garden.5 These are hand-picked selections based on “scientific evidence, extensive experience, and the records of gardeners and beekeepers.” There are three lists, each broken down into different categories to give you a really good idea of what to plant, and where and when to plant it: Garden plants: This list is broken down into seasons, with categories for winter, spring, summer, and autumn. Some of the more exciting-sounding plants on this list include Spanish traveller’s joy, Sargent’s crabapple, bottlebrush buckeye, and tansy-leaf aster.6 Wildflowers: This list is broken down into types of ground, with categories for short grass; hedges, shrub borders, and woodland edges; disturbed ground; flower beds; long grass (above 50cm); medium height grass (up to 50cm); ponds, pond margins, and wet soils; and shingle/gravel garden. On this list, you can find such names as water plantain, Jacob’s ladder, bogbean, hound’s tongue, and pignut.7 Plants of the world: This list is broken down by plant regions, with categories for UK native plants, Northern Hemisphere plants, and Southern Hemisphere plants. Expect to see such favourites as blue eryngo, Mediterranean spurge, slender vervain, hebe, and love-in-a-mist.8 “I know it is cliche, but the more bee-friendly wild flowers, the better,” shares William Roberts, owner of WR Bees. “Flowers that are easy to grow, have a long flowering season and are colourful, such as marigold, cosmos and Russian vine, are great choices. “If you want to attract bees to your garden, have as many flowers as possible. The more colourful, overgrown and natural, the more pollinators you will attract.” Different bees are attracted to different types of flower, so if you’re really keen you can figure out the ideal list of plants to attract the bees you’re most interested in seeing. “My advice is to plant long flowering shrubs that pollinators like, and although native plants are important, I encourage you to plant the world in your garden for the best benefit to pollinators.,” advises Master Horticulturist Dan Ori. “Based on recent research, the data supports the RHS position that planting a mix of native and non-native flowering plants in your garden can be more beneficial than just native plants. “The benefit of planting non-natives is that they often flower when natives don’t, thus providing important pollen and nectar for pollinators. Shrubs can be easily overlooked when we think of plants for bees, but many shrubs are excellent for bees and other pollinators. “Planting shrubs that flower at different or overlapping periods is the best approach and you will get the bonus of seasonal interest to enjoy in your garden.” The Friends of the Earth bee identification guide has more information on this.9 You can also check out some of the best plants to help pollinators in the Bios Urn guide.10 This step has the added extra benefit of improving your gardening credentials, and making your garden pop just that little bit harder. 5) Build A Bee Hotel This type of hotel doesn’t require any construction, planning permission, or licensing. Just some wood, a couple of tools, and a free afternoon. There’s room at the inn Making a bee hotel is easy and it’s a great activity for teaching kids about the importance of bees. The finished hotel doesn’t need to be as big as the one in the picture, either. They work just as well in shoebox size.11 “Bee hotels are reasonably effective for attracting solitary bees,” shares Dave. “You can hang them on a wall or fence and they don’t take up any space and, with a bit of luck, you’ll get a bunch of bees.” Attracting a few extra bees to your garden might not feel like much, but it contributes to momentum. In the same way that drinking soya milk didn’t feel like much, but now there are multiple shelves of non-dairy milks available in supermarkets. These things take time. People will ask questions about your plants or your bee hotel and you can use this as an unobtrusive way to spread the word. 6) Get A Beesaver Kit From Friends Of The Earth If you donate to Friends of the Earth they will send you a bee-saver kit, which includes the following12: Wildflower seeds to attract bees to your garden, as detailed above. A garden planner that tells you which plants to grow in each month, so you can have a bee-friendly garden all year round. A bee spotter guide to help you identify the new bees that visit your garden. A step-by-step guide with tips on how to protect bees. Bee postcards to send to friends and family: A nice gift, and it helps raise awareness! This makes a great present for kids, especially the bee spotter guide: Remember collecting bugs when you were younger? The mild thrill of finding creepy crawlies in your garden is something that every generation should be able to enjoy. 7) Give Them Something To Drink “One thing that can really help the bees in our gardens is to provide a drink to keep them hydrated,” shares Diane Pitchford from Harrogate and Ripon Beekeepers Association. “The importance of this can’t be underestimated. “If you have a pond in your garden that’s ideal, but most of us don’t, so a great thing to do is to put out a shallow dish and keep it topped up with water. “To prevent bees from drowning, put one or two stones in the dish which come above the water line. “This way, the bees can land on the stones and move down to the water to drink.” 8) Join A Beekeeping Club Many beekeeping clubs offer introductory courses or taster sessions, where you can learn about how to safely keep bees. When you visit the apiary – the yard where bees and hives are kept – you’ll get a great insight into how honeybees do their thing. A beekeeper in action Tending bees under the instruction of an experienced beekeeper means you won’t get stung, and that you can have questions answered by someone who knows their stuff. 9) Get Rid Of Beehives Without Calling The Exterminators Not many people want to be directly responsible for a beehive, especially if it’s one that bees have built in your house without permission. The traditional way to get rid of such hives is to give the pest control people a call, but there are other ways! Calling a local beekeeper to ask them to remove the hive is one such option. This is a great win-win-win situation: You benefit from not having bees, the beekeeper benefits from having more bees, and the bees benefit from not being killed. 10) Buy Organic Organic farming uses different practices to intensive farming, many of which are actively helpful for bees. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements defines organic as “a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people”, and one that “relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects”. The adverse effects include those outlined earlier in the ‘Industrial agriculture’ section. 11) Sign Petitions It may seem futile, but the government are obliged to respond to petitions hosted on the government website that receive over 10,000 signatures and to consider debating those that receive over 100,000.13 Petitions contribute to awareness, too. When you see one on social media, even if you don’t sign it brings the issue to your mind. Sometimes local or even national newspapers cover petitions that are gaining a lot of traction. 12) Campaign Directly If you feel strongly, you can campaign directly for things like ecological farming. Removing pesticides doesn’t reduce the effectiveness of farming, either. George Monbiot says of pesticides that “their advantages vanish in the face of more sophisticated methods such as integrated pest management”.14 The sentiment is also backed by a UN report and an article in Nature, one of the world’s most prominent journals, that found yields would increase without pesticides.15 13) Support Charities And Organisations If you don’t have the energy or resource to campaign directly, you can support charities and organisations who can do it on your behalf. The SOS Bees campaign by Greenpeace wants to ban the use of bee-harming pesticides, support and promote agricultural practices that benefit pollination services within agriculture systems, improve the conservation of natural and semi-natural habitats, and increase funding for research development and application of ecological farming practices.16 Friends of the Earth has multiple plans to help bee populations.17 The Soil Association want to support sustainable farming practices, ones that would have a less negative impact on bees and their habitats.18 14) Spread The Word A lot of people don’t know about the existential threat to bees -so spread the word! Knowledge is power, and conversation is a great way to spread it. If you come across somebody who thinks it’s not “financially viable” to save the bees, tell them that the economic value of their activity has been estimated at around €265 billion annually.19 15) Reassure People Often the people who do are worried or panicked. Show them this piece and let them know there are positive steps that can be taken. The final section of this guide is especially relevant for this. What Types Of Bees Do We Have In Britain? There are over 16,000 types of bee on Earth, ranging in size from the 2mm long meliponines worker bee right up to Wallace’s giant bee, which has a wingspan of around 6cm. To put that into perspective, it’s bigger than a standard Jaffa Cake. About 270 species have been recorded in Britain (and thankfully the Wallace’s giant bee isn’t among them!).20 Some of our bees are common and familiar, while others are extraordinarily rare. Some species are social – living in colonies – and others live a more solitary existence. The Woodland Trust notes a few of the types you’re most likely to come across on their site.21 Bumblebees are the bees you most commonly see buzzing around in flower beds, parks, and gardens. There are many types which, to the untrained observer, may be quite difficult to distinguish (they are all some variation of black and yellow). They all have slightly different seasons and nesting habits: Banded white-tailed bumblebees come out from May to November, and nest in old animal burrows and other similar holes. Early bumblebees come out in March to June and also like old burrows and holes. Red-tailed black bees come out in April to November, and nest in old burrows or tussocks (lumps of dry grass). Despite the name, they have yellow tails. Brown carder bees are around from March to November and nest in tussocks. Tree bumblebees come out from March to July and live in above-ground holes (like those you might find in tree trunks). Shrill carder bees come out from May to September and nest in tussocks. They are quite rare! Honeybees are the only type of bee to make the type of honey eaten by humans, which is the end product of the nectar they use for food. Nectar is passed between bees to provide sustenance, and each extracts a bit of the water in the mixture. Ellen from West Plains Beekeepers Association describes this process in more depth: “as bees transfer nectar from one to another, enzymes are added breaking down the sugar and removing some of the water, but not all of it. More water is removed through evaporation by the nurse bees in the hive before being capped.” The majority of honeybees live in managed hives, and the most common species – the Western honeybee – is a result of human domestication. It is unusual to find a truly wild honeybee colony. Mason bees are solitary bees. This means they live alone rather than being part of a colony in a hive. These bees do not produce honey or wax. Here are some types you might encounter in the UK: Wool carder bees Red mason bees Long-horned bees Hairy-footed flower bees Common mourning bees: This type of bee acts as a parasite for the hairy-footed flower bee, invading their nests and laying eggs in their broods. Small scissor bee: This is the smallest bee you’ll find in Britain. Leafcutter bees: These critters cut sections from leaves to use as nest-building materials. A leafcutter bee in action There is another set of bees called mining bees. These guys are ground nesters, building their homes underground. Some types to look out for: Tawny mining bees: They build mounds at the entrance of their nesting sites. Ashy mining bees: Each female has her own nest. Orange-tailed mining bees A mining bee digging its hole Then, there are insects that look like bees. Wasps are the most common, but hoverflies and bee flies also fit the bill. Bee flies are a parasite, with the females putting eggs into bee burrows so that their young may eat the collected pollen. Why Do We Need Bees? Bees help humans in a bunch of ways. Honeybees make honey – which is obviously delicious – but this is just a side product of all species’ most useful activity: Pollinating plants. By ferrying pollen between plants while they collect pollen and nectar for food, bees aid reproduction in plants. Pretty much every plant-based food humans eat is naturally tended by bees, including vegetables, oils, spices, and even edible flowers. Bees also pollinate plants that are used for animal fodder, meaning that meat and dairy production would be impacted by a decline in their numbers. What Is Pollination? To make seeds, ‘female’ plants need the pollen created by ‘males’. The terms male and female may seem strange when talking about plants, but the way plants reproduce isn’t that different from animals. Pollen created in the ‘male’ plant’s anther is used by the ‘female’ plant’s stigma. Outside of 50s sci-fi B-movies, though, plants can’t walk. So they need help moving their pollen around. Bees are one of nature’s pollinators, along with the wind, water, birds, insects, and other animals. The wind scoops pollen out of plants and carries it around, meaning some of it will land on other plants. Bees, birds, and other insects move pollen manually from one plant to another as a byproduct of their own activities. Because bees spend a lot of time moving between flowers, they are very effective pollinators. Why Is Pollination Important? Greenpeace sum it up quite nicely: “A third of all our food depends on their pollination. A world without pollinators would be devastating for food production.” As bee numbers decline and other methods become necessary for pollinating plants, crops dependent on pollinators become more expensive. This has a knock-on effect through human food chains, impacting all sorts of foods. Bees also play important roles in various ecosystems and food chains, meaning that they are prey for predators. If one element of a food chain reduces in numbers it has upward effects, meaning problems for animals that feed on bees (birds, badgers, skunks, foxes, bears, and mice to name but a few). What Are The Risks To British Bees? Sadly, bees are being impacted of the ominously-named Insectaggedon, an observed phenomenon in which 76% of insects have disappeared over the past few decades. 23 There has been a 40% loss of commercial honeybee populations in the US since 2006, and a 25% loss in Europe since 1985.24 Britain is not faring any better, unfortunately: 45% of our honeybees have been lost since 2010. Those sobering statistics are taken from a Greenpeace report.25 (Note: Lots of the information in this piece comes from Greenpeace. If you’re not familiar with them, they commission studies to gather empirical evidence about environmental issues, then campaign accordingly.) But Where Are The Bees Going? The same report states the main causes of bee decline as industrial agriculture, parasites and pathogens, and climate change. “The loss of biodiversity, destruction of habitat and lack of forage due to monocultures and bee-killing pesticides are particular threats for honeybees” it says, before continuing: “It is becoming increasingly evident that some insecticides, at concentrations applied routinely in the current chemical-intensive agriculture system, exert clear, negative effects on the health of pollinators – both individually and at the colony level.” In short, if things carry on as they are, bees are in trouble. Let’s look at each in a bit more detail, to see what we’re up against. Take a deep breath, because some of this is quite heavy: Industrial Agriculture Modern industrial agriculture often relies on the use of pesticides. These chemicals come with daunting names like imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, fipronil, chlorpyriphos, cypermethrin, and deltamethrin. You can tell just by reading that those aren’t friendly. A report found that “half the colonies exposed to neonicotinoids disappeared in the course of one winter; none of the untreated swarms vanished.” Neonicotinoids include the first three chemicals in the list above, and were used on a huge percentage of crops: Between 2011 and 2014, 100% of corn crops and 40% of soybean crops were treated with the chemical.26 “Neonicotinoids have been banned in the UK so they will no longer be used unless emergency use is authorised,” explains Dan. “An example of this would be the use of seed treatment of sugar beet authorised by the UK government in 2022.”27 Pesticides harm non-pests, too Requirements for vast tracts of farmland also leads to the destruction of natural habitats, including grassland and woodland. When these areas naturally provide bees with a place to live, their destruction for farming means that bees are forced to live elsewhere. “Don’t spray pesticides,” says Dave. “I don’t think anybody needs pesticides in the garden. I’ve been gardening without pesticides for many years. “You just need to be a little tolerant to aphids on your plants, but usually something else will come in and eat them pretty quickly.” Parasites And Pathogens The ability of bees – individual and collective – to resist parasites and pathogens decreases when they are under stress. The type of stress caused by having their natural habitats destroyed, incidentally. The University of Western Australia’s Centre for Integrative Bee Research (CIBER) investigated how one fungal parasite – Nosema apis – affected bees and found that infection reduced flight time and, by extension, the range of distance within which plants could be pollinated.28 There are more parasites, too: Varroa mites. These creatures, which look a bit like ticks, infiltrate broods of bee colonies – the area where eggs and developing young are kept. The mite lays its own eggs amongst the brood, while feeding on the developing bees. Varroa infestation can destroy a colony within 1-2 years if no action is taken. Tracheal mites infest the trachea (or windpipe) of adult bees, where they live, breed, and feed on the hemolymph (a fluid that plays a similar role to blood in humans). This infestation eventually results in the bee’s death due to disruption with oxygen exchange. The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) has become a concern since 2016 in the UK, as this non-native is a highly effective predator of insects including bees.29 Most sightings of the Asian hornet since 2020 have been in the south and east of England, but it does appear that this predator is here to stay and is spreading through the UK. You can help in the battle to control Asian hornets by reporting any you spot here. Climate change Further destruction of habitats is caused by climate change. A 2015 study found that bee habitats have shrunk by nearly 200 miles in North America and Europe.30 Changing temperatures also leads to slight variations in the usual seasonal timings of plants producing pollen. This disruption in natural rhythms impacts bees and can negatively affect their health. Parasites that harm bees seem to prefer warmer temperatures, so any rise in temperature attributed to climate change has the knock-on effect of making parasites more hardy. It seems climate change exacerbates all the issues already facing bees. “Gardening to extend the availability of nectar right to the end of the growing season is also a big help to our bees,” shares Diane. “Going into the colder months with good honey stores, when there is little forage for them in the garden, will help a colony to get through the winter. “For example, hardy fuchsias flower strongly through to the end of the season along with annuals such as sunflowers and cosmos, all providing a good source of nectar for bees well into October.” Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), which is just as alarming as it sounds, is one example of the outcome of the stressors mentioned here. When a colony is affected, the worker bees suddenly abandon the queen and the hive. There is no agreed cause for this phenomenon, but the list of possibilities includes some familiar names: Infections with Varroa mites Malnutrition from loss of habitat Various pathogens Genetic factors Immunodeficiencies Loss of habitat Changing beekeeping practices Neonicotinoids Or, “a combination of factors” Examples Of Effective Action To Protect Bees A recent petition in Bavaria, Germany, forced the government to implement policies committing to protecting bees.31 The SOS Bees campaign by Greenpeace outlines 23 solutions being implemented in countries across Europe, including32: Insecticide-free methods of reducing beetle counts on crops, to reduce reliance on pesticides. The use of permaculture practices to create more bee-friendly farming. Analysis of soils to determine the amount of fertiliser required, to reduce unnecessary soil damage. Cultivation of oranges and lemons, which are attractive to bees. Some people claim that the threat to bees has gone. This contradicts the majority of research we’ve read, and the sources given by people making this claim usually don’t hold up to as much scrutiny as names like The Royal Horticultural Society, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, the journal Nature, and so on. That’s not to say they’re wrong, necessarily, just that we don’t think the risk has disappeared. And even if bee numbers are recovering, all of the things we’ve written about have other benefits for humans, too. Ecological farming is more resilient and less harmful to animals and ecosystems. Planting more – and more varied – flowers in your garden is nice. Together we can – and will! – save the bees. References 1. The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer – United States Department of State. (2021, January 5). United States Department of State. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.state.gov/key-topics-office-of-environmental-quality-and-transboundary-issues/the-montreal-protocol-on-substances-that-deplete-the-ozone-layer/#:~:text=The%20Montreal%20Protocol%2C%20finalized%20in,%2Ddepleting%20substances%20(ODS). 2. Carrier bags: why there’s a charge. (2021, May 21). GOV.UK. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/single-use-plastic-carrier-bags-why-were-introducing-the-charge/carrier-bags-why-theres-a-5p-charge 3. BBC News. (2019, March 12). #Trashtag: The online challenge cleaning places up. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-47536861 4. Help Bring Our World Back To Life. (n.d.). WWF. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://support.wwf.org.uk/ 5. Plants for Pollinators advice and downloadable lists. (n.d.-b). Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/conservation-biodiversity/wildlife/plants-for-pollinators 6. Get your garden buzzing. (n.d.). RHS Plants for Pollinators. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://rhs.org.uk/science/pdf/conservation-and-biodiversity/wildlife/plants-for-pollinators-garden-plants.pdf 7. RHS Plants for Pollinators: British wildflowers. (n.d.). RHS. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/pdf/conservation-and-biodiversity/wildlife/plants-for-pollinators-wildflowers.pdf 8. Plants Of The World. (n.d.). RHS Plants for Pollinators. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/pdf/conservation-and-biodiversity/wildlife/plants-for-pollinators-plants-of-the-world.pdf 9. Bee identification guide. (n.d.). Friends of the Earth. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://friendsoftheearth.uk/nature/bee-identification-guide 10. Bees, Butterflies, and Hummingbirds: What to plant to help pollinators. (2020, January 30). Bios Urn. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://urnabios.com/bees-butterflies-hummingbirds-plant-to-help-pollinators/ 11. Activities for children – making bee hotels. (n.d.). Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/gardening-children-schools/family-activities/Activities/activities/make-a-bee-hotel 12. Donate today for your Bee Saver Kit. (n.d.). Friends of the Earth. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://friendsoftheearth.uk/donate/bee-saver-kit 13. Petitions. (n.d.). UK Government and Parliament. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://petition.parliament.uk/ 14. Monbiot, G. (2014, July 15). Another Silent Spring? Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.monbiot.com/2014/07/15/another-silent-spring/ 15. Lechenet, M., Dessaint, F., Py, G., Makowski, D., & Bàrberi, P. (2017). Reducing pesticide use while preserving crop productivity and profitability on arable farms. Nature Plants, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.1038/nplants.2017.8 16. Save the Bees. (n.d.). Greenpeace USA. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/sustainable-agriculture/save-the-bees/ 17. The Bee Cause: Are bees endangered? (n.d.). Friends of the Earth. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://friendsoftheearth.uk/bees 18. Homepage. (n.d.). Soil Association. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.soilassociation.org/ 19. Greenpeace UK. (2022, February 1). Bees. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/challenges/bees/ 20. Identify solitary bees in the UK. (2018, July 25). The Wildlife Trusts. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/ryan-clark/identify-solitary-bees-uk#:~:text=In%20Britain%20we%20have%20around,like%20bumblebees%20and%20honey%20bees. 21. Varela, C. (2019, May 14). Types of bee in the UK. Woodland Trust. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/05/types-of-bee-in-the-uk/ 22. Monbiot, G. (2017, October 20). Insectageddon: farming is more catastrophic than climate breakdown. The Guardian. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/20/insectageddon-farming-catastrophe-climate-breakdown-insect-populations 23. Monbiot, G. (2017b, October 20). Insectageddon: farming is more catastrophic than climate breakdown. The Guardian. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/20/insectageddon-farming-catastrophe-climate-breakdown-insect-populations 24. Bees In Decline. (2011). Greenpeace. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2013/04/66f3eb6b-beesindecline.pdf 25. Greenpeace UK. (2022b, February 1). Bees. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/challenges/bees/ 26. Tooker, JF. (2018, June 26). Why it’s time to curb widespread use of neonicotinoid pesticides. The Conversation. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://theconversation.com/why-its-time-to-curb-widespread-use-of-neonicotinoid-pesticides-96620 27. Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. (2023, February 16). Neonicotinoid product as seed treatment for sugar beet: emergency authorisation application 2023. GOV.UK. Retrieved August 22, 2023, from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/neonicotinoid-product-as-seed-treatment-for-sugar-beet-emergency-authorisation-application 28. University of Western Australia. (2016, November 15). Concern over parasites affecting honey bees. Phys.org. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://phys.org/news/2016-11-parasites-affecting-honey-bees.html 29. Species alerts. (n.d.-b). Non-Native Species. Retrieved August 22, 2023, from https://www.nonnativespecies.org/non-native-species/species-alerts/#Species_53 30. Kerr, J. T., Pindar, A., Galpern, P., Packer, L., Potts, S. G., Roberts, S. K., Rasmont, P., Schweiger, O., Colla, S. R., Richardson, L. L., Wagner, D., Gall, L. F., Sikes, D. S., & Pantoja, A. (2015). Climate change impacts on bumblebees converge across continents. Science, 349(6244), 177–180. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaa7031 31. Purdy, L. (2019, April 4). Grassroots bee petition forces greener farming measures in Bavaria – Positive News. Positive News. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.positive.news/environment/grassroots-bee-petition-forces-greener-farming-measures-in-bavaria/ 32. S.O.S. For Honeybees. (2019, August 18). Essex WI. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://essexwi.org.uk/s-o-s-honeybees/
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