Conservation

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    Garden blogs

    Pollinator of the day #7 – Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae)

    by Abigail Lowe

    The cinnabar is a widespread species of day-flying moth. It is readily disturbed by day although it also flies at night. The species is named after the bright red, mercury sulphide minerals cinnabar and cinnabarite. The caterpillars are also distinctive and easily identified by their alternating orange and black stripes; these colours are a form […]

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  2. Garden blogs

    Fire and Brimstones

    by Peter Lee-Thompson

    Whilst awaiting the installation of the bridge on Llyn Mawr, I was lucky enough to spot a bright yellow – male brimstone butterfly skipping between the knapweed. Brimstones, whilst not threatened, are a somewhat elusive species, rarely sighted in the Garden and usually in spring. Like many species, they are closely linked to their food […]

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  3. Garden blogs

    Farming and Wildlife in July 2019

    by Peter Beeden

    THE ESTATE FARM: As described in May 2019, the Botanic Garden covers about 568 acres, of which farmland is 316 acres including 100 acres of woodland. There are 18 pedigree Welsh Black beef cows all of which have calved so far and 6 yearling steers, four 2-year olds and some cull cows that were sold […]

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  4. Garden blogs

    Pollinator of the day #6 – Red-Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)

    by Abigail Lowe

    The red-tailed bumblebee is one of our most common bumblebees, often seen in gardens. Queens and workers are black with a strongly red tail however males look very different. They instead have a yellow collar and face, along with a more orangey tail. The queens emerge in early spring, followed by the workers and then […]

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  5. 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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  6. 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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