So many insects

**Snoop Puss** · 29-06-2019, 02:02 PM

We have more butterflies this year than I've seen in a while (and only one cabbage white). We had loads of bumblebees earlier in the year, but they're few and far between at the moment. Flies aplenty and more wasps than I care for.

I suspect I'm seeing more butterflies because they're all coming to my veg patch for water.

**veggiechicken** · 29-06-2019, 02:09 PM

I've seen more ladybirds this year than last year. Plenty of bees - honey and bumble - all of these make me happy.
Rather too many white and black flies though.

**carolefu** · 29-06-2019, 03:07 PM

I think I better encourage more beneficial insects to my backyard then :O

**bario1** · 29-06-2019, 03:39 PM

I’ve seen more than I have for many years, especially ladybirds and butterflies. I wondered if it was a result of the council planting wildflower strips in all the parks for the last couple of years, but sounds like it’s country wide. Nice to see!

**Bren In Pots** · 29-06-2019, 07:00 PM

Not many lady birds here but plenty of bees they seem to love the clover in our lawn.

**Mr Bones** · 30-06-2019, 04:35 AM

Not many butterflies this year but plenty of bees and ladybirds.

**mcdood** · 30-06-2019, 06:39 AM

Originally posted by Snoop Puss View Post

We have more butterflies this year than I've seen in a while (and only one cabbage white). .

Same here, I've seen plenty of others but only one cabbage white on the allotment, there were swarms of them last year. I'm sure they'll be along shortly.

**Workslave** · 30-06-2019, 06:57 AM

Have only seen a couple of ladybirds but saw more cukoo spit in the meadow yesterday than I ever have before
Sincerely
Steve

**Nicos** · 30-06-2019, 07:02 AM

Definitely a massive decline in insects generally over the past 10 years.
But for the past couple of years we have left large areas of our field/garden to grow naturally and we definitely have had more butterflies so far this summer.
Yesterday I sat out in the shade reading and put a wet cloth on me to try and cool down(36C+!) and I was astounded that a gatekeeper butterfly landed on the cloth and started drinking!
Fantastic

**veggiechicken** · 30-06-2019, 07:07 AM

Originally posted by Workslave View Post

Have only seen a couple of ladybirds but saw more cukoo spit in the meadow yesterday than I ever have before
Sincerely
Steve

Thee's a survey of sightings of cuckoo spit that you may be interested in, Steve?
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=490

**carolefu** · 30-06-2019, 02:38 PM

I am trying to encourage bees & other beneficial insects to my back yard & to the front of my house. At the front there is a little area that I had cleared of a 'free tree', weeds & paving stones. The guy who did the clear-up both front & back, used the tree as mulch for the front. Here, I obtained some Bee Bombs, which I just scattered on top of the mulch. Interestingly, when these little seed bombs activated themselves, at first I though I was 'growing' some 'interesting' fungi :O

. These are the way the seeds from the Bee Bombs spread

. Now, I've got to encourage the good insects to the back. So far, Borage & Marigolds plants have been planted. Just need to plant more plants & seeds to encourage the good 'critters' into my backyard

**Jungle Jane** · 30-06-2019, 03:14 PM

Ive been making cabbage white butterflies using an old school shirt,string & a bamboo stick. I saw the first real CWB in the garden today so I got out there with these for protection of my rocket & swede,their eyesights not very good they think these are real (I've made it look like a family with two young ones & a bit battered looking like it�s ready for a fight if any other CWB come near) it�s worth it to avoid removing eggs every day even if the neighbours do see them & think what has she made she�s a bit mad or they might think they look attractive very Chelsea garden style

**GrowMoon** · 30-06-2019, 07:44 PM

My raspberries were swarming with all types of bumble bee, honeybee and hoverflies a few weeks ago - was glad to see so many enjoying (and pollinating!)

**Mistlepie** · 30-06-2019, 08:10 PM

Jungle Jane - do decoy butterflies really put off Cabbage whites? That's fantastic, if I could avoid netting that way I'd be very pleased.

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So many insects

So many insects

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