Think about life cycles when planning your garden
The photo above is a small blue on wild marjoram in Neu-Lindsey nature reserve off Culver Hill, Woodchester. A small but important reserve for several species, the species that thrive here depend on the specific grasses and plants that grow on this limestone meadow.
One of the species we have in Gloucestershire which has a really interesting life cycle is the Large Blue Butterfly. The Painswick Beacon Conservation Group is now creating habitat for the Butterfly with the hope that they will find it, or it can be reintroduced here in the future.
The Large Blue became extinct in Britain in 1979 and for some years the cause remained a mystery. Entomologists eventually solved the problem once they worked out the complex life cycle. Once the adult female has mated, she lays approx. 50 eggs in small clumps on the flower buds of thyme. Once hatched, the larva feed on the thyme then drop to the ground. Here they fool a specific species of red ant (Mermica sabuteti) with chemical and audio signals into thinking they are the ants’ queen larvae. They are carried to the ants’ underground nest to overwinter, growing as they eat the ant grubs, to emerge as adult Large Blues in the early summer.
The cause of the extinction was the loss of habitat. After the last war, grazing our commons was largely stopped as it was uneconomic. Without the grazing, the grass became long and scrub started to encroach on the land. This had two consequences. Firstly, the surface temperature of the soil became too cool for the ant to survive and secondly, the longer grass out-competed the small thyme plants.
The first re-introduction was in 1983 on Dartmoor using 93 grubs from SE Sweden. Subsequent efforts had varied success, but the release of 281 on Green Down, Somerset in 1992 has produced the largest population in Europe. All current UK populations stem from this single introduction.
The surface temperature of the soil is crucial to success, not only for the correct ant to be present, but also so the adult emerges at the same time as thyme flowers. A new, fascinating, development has recently been discovered. A new strain of the butterfly has evolved to warmer conditions by utilizing marjoram as a food plant. Marjoram is more drought resistant than thyme, and being taller keeps the soil at the correct temperature for the red ant despite the warmer air temp. This is good news for the long-term survival of the Large Blue as the use of two food plants doubles the breeding area.
Much of the work the Beacon Conservation Group is doing is to promote a re-introduction. It may seem a lot of effort for one specie, but if it is successful, the survival of many associated species is assured.
If you would like to know more about this fascinating project or to get involved contact Paul Baxter pmbaxtersfm@gmail.com
Life Cycles in Your Garden
Caterpillars are not always attractive, but they are vital. Watch your garden this year and see what’s there and then research their life cycle so you can provide the right food and habitat. What do the caterpillars/larvae eat, what food do the adults need, where do they lay their eggs, do they hibernate? If so what habitat do they need for that?
Life Cycles in Your Garden
Caterpillars are not always attractive, but they are vital. Watch your garden this year and see what’s there and then research their life cycle so you can provide the right food and habitat. What do the caterpillars/larvae eat, what food do the adults need, where do they lay their eggs, do they hibernate? If so what habitat do they need for that?
Toads, Frogs and Newts
Toad patrols are happening every day somewhere near you. Toads, frogs and newts don’t live in ponds all the time, but they do need the water for breeding, so they are heading to their pond to find a mate or they been to the pond, and they are heading back again. Emily runs the Gannicox toad patrol in Stroud. Every night someone goes out with buckets and a torch to pick up the amphibians and give them a helping hand across the road and into the pond. They also count the toads, frogs and newts including the unfortunate ones which got squished by cars. There are lots of patrols through Gloucestershire so if you are interested in helping out then find the group on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/GloucToR/
Some of these patrols are incredibly busy at the moment, the Arlingham crossing has been reporting up to 100 toads in an evening.
Out and About in Stroud
I’ve so missed frosty mornings this winter, Friday was perfect. Stroud Canal, blue skies and bird song what a great way to start the day. The robins and the blackbirds were competing for the biggest contribution to the dawn chorus. Great Tits and wrens flitting in front of me. A great spotted woodpecker hammering away and then, two of my favourites, the long-tailed tits and a bullfinch. I even felt warm towards the big fat pigeon basking in the early morning sun.