Where have all the insects gone?
You may have noticed, or seen news articles, about the lack of insects this year. Although scientists believe this is temporary and probably due to a very wet spring, it does point to what a delicate balance natures ecosystems exist in. A lot of insects have very short life spans and their life cycle is impacted by changes in weather systems. This can be an issue when seasons do not stay in an expected pattern.
How do insects help us?
Insects play an important part in the life cycle and reproduction of flowers through a process called pollination.
During pollination an insect will move pollen from one flower to another, this allows the flower to produce seeds (or fruit containing seeds). We all know that bees are important pollinators, but other insects are also part of this process. Wasps, flies, beetles and even dragon flies play their part in pollinating our flowers, grasses and trees. Some insects even do this accidentally as pollen falls on them while they go about their normal business.
Unfortunately, less insects may mean less seeds and fruit is produced this year.
The impact of this could also last into next year.
Insects also support other animal species
This image shows a food web.
At the bottom of the web is a plant. This plant supports the life of small mammals (such as rabbits) and invertebrate species (slugs, snails, ants and other insects). Birds and amphibians (such as frogs, slow worms) then eat the invertebrate species. At the top of the web are large mammals and birds, which will eat the small mammals.
Any changes within the web will cause a knock on to the other species as the availability of their food sources is increased or reduced.
Adaptation to Change
Adaptation is the change that a species (such as insects) needs to make to exist in its environment. Recently our seasons have started to change, we have had milder winters, wet springs and warmer summers with unsettled weather and record breaking heat waves. Nature and insects will start to adapt to these changes but some species will become more dominant (there will be more of them) because they are more capable of adaptation. On a sad note, some species may be unable to adapt to these changes.
What are we doing to help?
To give insects and other animals the best chance of survival and adaptation we need to create suitable habitats for them. Our wildflower meadow project is a perfect example of this.
The mixture of flowers and grasses supports a lot of insects and animals. We have wildflower meadows in many communities across the county which gives us connectivity. Connectivity is the equivalent of the A55 but for insects(!), insects and animals can move between these sites without being blocked by areas which only have houses or industry.
What can you do to help?
- Your garden or window box is an important area for insects and animals
- You could plant native plants, flowers and fruits
- Allow an area of grass to grow long between spring and autumn (grasses are super important for insects too)
- Consider digging a nature pond to encourage amphibians and aquatic insects (insects that live in or on water)
For more information or ideas please visit ...