Would you like to learn more about our six-legged friends? Then take a look at the following portraits and discover what makes these little helpers special.
Where to find me: I nest in hollow plant stems, dead wood, and old walls, but you can also observe me feeding on plants like thistles, blackberries, and foxgloves. Signs that I already inhabit your garden: Crescent-shaped holes in the leaves of some of your garden plants are an indicator that I have chosen your garden as my habitat. But don't worry, I won't destroy the plants! When you can see me: May to September Fun fact: When I fly, it sometimes looks like I'm surfing on a leaf - I carry it back to my home to build nests! What I can do for you: I'm an effective pollinator! I can help your plants, trees, and shrubs thrive, especially your vegetable plants in the summer. How you can help me: I would greatly appreciate an insect hotel so that I have a safe place to nest and overwinter. Please also provide plenty of nectar-rich plants in your garden.
The Leafcutter Bee
Bernard
Where to find me: I nest in cavities in old walls, masonry, and dead wood, but I can also be seen on spring-flowering shrubs and trees like apple and pear trees. When you can see me: April to June Signs that I already live in your garden: You might see me buzzing around a wall in your garden and notice some mortar residues where I have dug (sorry!) Fun fact: Unlike other bees, the female Red Mason Bee collects pollen in the hairs on the underside of her abdomen, known as a pollen brush. What I can do for you: I'm an important pollinator! I can help your plants, trees, and shrubs thrive, especially fruit trees. How you can help me: I would greatly appreciate an insect hotel so that I have a safe place to nest and overwinter. Please also provide plenty of nectar-rich plants in your garden.
The Red Mason Bee
Mary
Where to find me: I nest in hollow plant stems, old walls, and dead wood, but you can also observe me foraging on plants like lamb's ear, black horehound, and bird's-foot trefoil. When you can see me: May to August Signs that I already live in your garden: You might see me buzzing around a wall in your garden or collecting plant fibers to use as nesting material! Fun fact: Male wool carder bees guard a flower bed for their female suitors and defend against intruders using spines on their tails. What I can do for you: I'm an important pollinator! I can help your plants, trees, and shrubs stay healthy. How you can help me: I would greatly appreciate an insect hotel so that I have a safe place to nest and overwinter. Please also provide plenty of nectar-rich plants in your garden.
The Great Wool Carder Bee
Gus
Insects love these homes
Where to find me: On a hot day, you can find me basking in the sun or on nectar-rich plants like butterfly bush. I also enjoy eating fruits that fall from the trees in autumn. When you can see me: May to October As caterpillars, we like to eat: Nettles Fun fact: I am a migratory species! I live in warmer areas during the fall and winter and move northward in spring.
The Red Admiral
Ruby
Where to find me: You'll find me hovering low over grassy areas in your garden, searching for flat-headed flowers that I feed on. When you can see me: May to October As caterpillars, we like to eat: White clover and clover leaves Fun fact: Males and females look completely different! Males have light upper wings and gray/beige undersides, while females usually have brown upper wings with an orange half-moon.
The Common Blue Butterfly
Bridget
Where to find me: On hot days, you'll find me in the sun or on nectar-rich flowers like thistles, dandelions, or butterfly bush. When you can see me: March to September As caterpillars, we like to eat: Nettles Fun fact: Our distinctive pattern is meant to scare off predators so that we won't be eaten!
The Peacock Butterfly
Perrie
Where to find me: I like nectar-rich plants like honeysuckle and red valerian. You might see me hovering near these plants in your garden during the day! I move quickly, so you have to be fast to spot me. When you can see me: May to September Fun fact: When I fly, my wings move so fast that they make a "humming" sound! What I can do for you: I'm an effective pollinator! I can help your plants, trees, and shrubs stay healthy. How you can help me: Please plant many nectar-rich plants in your garden, such as butterfly bush or jasmine.
The Hummingbird Hawk-Moth
Merle
Where to find me: I like colorful flowers like marigolds and nasturtiums, and herbs like mint, dill, and fennel, so you might encounter me near these garden plants. When you can see me: March to November Fun fact: Ladybirds come in different colors and patterns - some of us are red with black spots, orange with white spots, or even black with orange spots! What I can do for you: I love eating aphids and other tiny beetles. This way, I can help protect your plants. How you can help me: I would greatly appreciate an insect hotel so that I have a safe place to overwinter. I will look for a place to hibernate in late autumn.
The Ladybird
Lisa