Did you know the average garden has over 2000 species of insects? That’s 2000 little creepy, crawling critters sneaking through the undergrowth!
That’s 2000 more than I’d like anywhere near me!
Gosh I hate bugs. Always hated bugs. They just make my skin crawl! It’s something about the extra legs and beady little eyes but even I can’t deny the importance of insects nor how special some of them can really be. For all they make me squirm some insects really are beautiful … from a distance ... away from me.
Photo: Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
Mersehead is full of invertebrates (that’s all the animals missing a backbone!). We have all the usual suspects. Bumble Bees commute regularly to both the Visitor Centre and Sulwath Gardens accompanied by the odd Lady Birds, Cinnabar Moths and Red Admiral Butterflies. Out on the Merse and in the wild grasses there are Cinnabar Moths and Frog Hoppers whilst there’s no end of Shield Bugs, Common Dragonflies, Ground Beetles and Centipedes all over the reserve!
Photo Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)
Insects can be found crowding everywhere from the sand dunes to the marshes, which is a good thing for our birds! During the breeding season for example a Blue Tits twelve odd fledglings require a staggering 1440 caterpillars a day between them! Imagine your Mum having to buy 1440 burgers each day to feed you!
What makes Mersehead really special though are the oddities you find on the site. Not necessarily rare or even scarce but the little things you maybe wouldn’t see on your average day out! This month I’ve been treated to a Gold Ringed Dragonfly and an Elephant Hawk Moth! They were beautiful, elegant and surprisingly friendly as the Elephant Hawk Moth would sit quite happily on your chest! With its Rhubarb coloured wings, I could see why Victorians wore them as brooches. For me it was quite an unusual accessory to go with the RSPB blue that day!
You can get close and personal with all sorts of insects at Mersehead. The best introduction though is at the monthly Mocha and Moths event! This week Kirsty introduced me to all sorts of moths caught out on the trap. She even got me holding – after a lot of protesting – some of the moths! It’s a great event to go to if you’re looking for a mini introduction to some surprisingly cute invertebrates!
I may still not be a fan of bugs but I suppose I’ll give the moths a shot.
Jennifer McDougall
Residential Volunteer