Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 2260 Location: Portugal
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 05 9:58 am Post subject: Butterflies
Is it just me, or are there very few around this year? I've got a couple of (those purple flowering bushes which attract them, who's name begins with a B but I really can't remember for the life of me right now) in the garden and there's not even any around those this year.
I've also noticed very few ladybirds.
bernie-woman
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 7824 Location: shropshire
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 05 10:01 am Post subject:
My mother was saying exactly this to me yesterday - she has a butterfly garden which is usually full at this time of the year but bith she and I have only really seen cabbage whites
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 05 10:10 am Post subject: Re: Butterflies
Butterflies, actually noticed possibly more than usual, around our garden, plus out walking in the woods etc. Ladybirds maybe a little less, but still appear to be very short on hoverflies and bees compared to usual, normally I am brushing them off the lavender to cut it but there seem to be so few this year yet if anything we have more suitable flowers than ever before
(
Andrea wrote:
those purple flowering bushes which attract them, who's name begins with a B
Buddleia)
What other plants do you all notice are good for attracting insects? I know there are lists and lists but it would be interesting to hear what people's favourites are.
Various cotoneasters and hebes as well as buddleia for us, lavender and poppies for bees.
judith
Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Posts: 22789 Location: Montgomeryshire
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 05 10:11 am Post subject:
Brassica
bernie-woman
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 7824 Location: shropshire
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 05 10:14 am Post subject:
Judith wrote:
Brassica
I have found any of the thistle genus very good like echinops and cirseum rivulare also verbena bonariensis
The butterflies have been VERY late in our garden this year - I just assumed it was the unseasonal coldness we have been experiencing but it could also be because we have had an extremely successful pair of blackbirds in our garden (currently on their third or fourth brood this year) and they may well have been feasting on caterpillars??
I've seen truckloads of butterflies this year. Around these parts it seems a good time for them.
Same here .... absolutely loads about. Far too many CW's at that!
Andrea
Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 2260 Location: Portugal
Posted: Thu Jul 14, 05 12:11 pm Post subject:
Fingers crossed that Bernie's Mum & I will be seeing them soon and they're just late like Lozzie's.
I'd hate to think they're numbers were seriously diminished as they've always been the very essence of summer for me. Butterflies and the hum of bumble bees in the lavender = bliss.
sean Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 42219 Location: North Devon
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 05 8:32 am Post subject:
There's an article in today's Independent about the UK's declining butterfly population .
I noticed the first significant buzzing around the lavender this weekend and when out walking the dog in field edged with thistles there wer absolutely clouds of butterflies (not sure which though, TD might be able to help).
Andrea
Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 2260 Location: Portugal
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 05 8:47 am Post subject:
I knew I wasn't imagining things Sean, thankyou!
hils
Joined: 08 Mar 2005 Posts: 568 Location: Nottingham
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 05 10:16 am Post subject:
There's been loads of everything here - butterflies, bees, hoverflies ladybirds. But have only seen one wasp thank god! probably tempted fate there.
I've seen one butterfly/moth inparticular which is a vivid red and mid grey about 2/3 the size of a cabbage white - anyone know what it is? I have looked in my ancient moth and butterfly book and can't find it.
We are tripping over butterflies here. So much so then when we walk through our field our son tries to catch them as they lift off the ground like a fleet of fighters, they are too quick for him but it is an amazing site to see so many diff colours just emerging in mass.
Blue Peter
Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 2400 Location: Milton Keynes
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 05 2:42 pm Post subject:
Loads of buuterflies around Milton Keynes yesterday (though admittedly I don't know whether there are more or less than average),
- anyone know what it is? I have looked in my ancient moth and butterfly book and can't find it.
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