Invertebrates in the City

- getting our urban meadows buzzing!

Richard Smith - Farming and Pollinators Officer

Invertebrates and meadows

Global numbers of described species

The small things that run the world - pest control

The small things that run the world - Nature’s recyclers

Why invertebrates need our support

Urban stepping stones

Urban stepping stones

Urban stepping stones

Linking landscapes

B-Lines - Yorkshire Pilot project

Meeting Nature

Meeting Nature

What kind of meadow?

Mites

Beetles

True flies

Bugs,

hoppers,

aphids

Sawflies &

wasps

Butterflies &

moths

Thrips

Invertebrates eating plants

Which plant species?

Ragwort is valuable for insects

Ragwort is valuable for loads of insects!

Insects love architecture!

Insects love architecture.... ....in an ecological sense.

From: Kirby, P. (1992) Habitat Management for Invertebrates – a practical handbook, RSPB.

Low rise - No High rise – Yes!

Wild pollinators – Bumblebees

Wild pollinators –

Solitary bees

Wild pollinators – Butterflies and Moths

Wild pollinators – Flies

Wild pollinators –

Beetles

Resources: adding pieces of the jigsaw

Bee banks

Holes and cavities

Holes and cavities

What invertebrates need

1. Diverse, native plant families

2. Diverse vegetation structure

3. Long flowering season

4. Nesting habitat (bare ground, scrub, dead trees)

5. Habitat networks (road verges, ponds, hedges)

Managing meadows for invertebrates

Time

Five golden rules

1. Plant native species

2. Establish perennial meadows

3. Cut meadows late in season

4. Don’t cut all of a meadow at the same time

5. Plan for the long term

Thank you

Additional photos : Roger Key and Dave Riseborough

www.buglife.org.uk