The Overlooked Insects Your Garden Could Save From Extinction

IvyWhile we have been repeatedly informed that we need to ‘save the bees’ over the past decade or so, researchers from Sheffield’s School of Biosciences say there are two more pollinators we need to look out for, who are just as at risk.The critters in question are moths and hover flies – not quite as cute and charismatic as bees, but just as essential to our ecosystems.Looking at urban development and the impact on insects, researchers found that for every 10% increase in impervious surfaces – such as roads and building cover – there was a reduction of up to 7.5% in the variety of pollinating species.However, the number of moths and hover flies of any species took a far greater hit compared to bees.Max Kleinen on Unsplash" />So, how do we help moths and hover flies?If you’re the kind of gardener who has keenly planted flowers for pollinators such as bees, the researchers urge to continue this kind of proactive approach by inviting moths and hover flies to your garden, too.Emilie Ellis, lead author of the study, told The Guardian: “It’s just a matter of taking [moths and hover flies] into account and maybe having some more shrubs or a pond or something like that to also benefit those insects.“The diversity of habitat is the most important – so you need your flower patch, you need a tree, you need some shrubs, you need an untouched bit of grass – and kind of just keeping the patches that you have diverse and catering for all different types of insects and animals.”Moths – of which there are 2,500 types in the UK – particularly like jasmine, honeysuckle, ivy, sweet rocket and evening primrose, according to the RSPB.Ellis also advised to get neighbours involved, too, saying: “A huge thing that’s important is collaborating and talking to your neighbours and families and friends and encouraging them to do it too.“Because an individual allotment or flower garden is pretty small and almost useless, but when you create a whole network of people that are interested and engaged, these small little patches can become these huge habitat networks in cities.”BRB, getting my gardening gloves out.Related...UK Gardeners Urged To Swap Weedkiller Sprays For This 1-Ingredient MethodUK Gardeners Urged To Start These Key August Tasks NowUK Gardeners And Parents Warned After Child Injured By Common Weed

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