Invertebrates in the City · Diverse, native plant families 2. Diverse vegetation structure 3. Long...
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Invertebrates in the City - getting our urban meadows buzzing! Richard Smith - Farming and Pollinators Officer
Transcript of Invertebrates in the City · Diverse, native plant families 2. Diverse vegetation structure 3. Long...
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
