Conservation

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    Garden blogs

    Pollinator of the day #5 – Thick-Legged Flower Beetle (Oedemera nobilis)

    by Abigail Lowe

    Previously restricted to a few sites in the UK it is now a common and very abundant species. Adults feed on a wide range of plant families and especially like oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) and umbellifers (Apiaceae) which they can often be seen on at the garden. Males have large swollen back legs, which gives […]

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  2. Garden blogs

    Pollinator of the day #4 – The Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)

    by Abigail Lowe

    One of our most common and widespread hoverflies, this is a very distinctive species that is unlikely to be confused with any other once you are familiar with it. The colouration of the bands on the abdomen can vary greatly, however the unique pattern is not seen in any other species. This colour is influenced […]

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  3. Garden blogs

    Pollinator of the day #3 – The Western Honeybee (Apis mellifera)

    by Abigail Lowe

    The Western honeybee, Apis mellifera, is the only species of honeybee we have in the UK. They are kept in hives and managed by beekeepers for the production of honey and wax, which are harvested for commercial purposes. The colony is made up of workers (females) and drones (males) which are controlled by one queen, […]

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  4. Garden blogs

    Pollinator of the day #2 – The Long-horned Bee (Eucera longicornis)

    by Abigail Lowe

    Males of this species are one of our most easily distinguishable bees, with their exceptionally long antennae. The long-horned bee is one of Britain’s most declined bees, losing huge areas of its previous range within the last century due to the loss of unimproved, legume-rich habitat it requires. Favoured plants of this bee include meadow […]

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  5. Garden blogs

    Pollinator of the day #1 – The Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia)

    by Abigail Lowe

    The marsh fritillary is a threatened UK species of high conservation priority. Previously found across Britain it is now largely restricted to West Britain and Ireland, where it requires large areas of damp tussock dominated or chalk grassland. Larvae feed almost exclusively on devil’s-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis) and form conspicuous silk webs which help to […]

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  6. Garden blogs

    Germination investigation – Putting wildflower seeds to the test

    by Harry Allen

    You may have noticed the plots of wildflowers in the gardens shooting up and enticing pollinators and visitors alike. These flower mixes have been designed by PhD student Lucy Witter to include the plants that are most attractive to pollinators. The flowers allow insects to load up on nectar and pollen and keep busy. Before […]

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