The Suffolk Argus
Give Us a Sign Trevor Goodfellow
The plight of our lepidoptera (and other wildlife) deserves our utmost concern. As thousands of species of insects are becoming extinct or in severe decline, we must not forget that this is a sign of both natural climate change and due to our impact on our environment that could ultimately bring the end to us humans. Diseases and hunger thrive in many overpopulated species, and viruses are nature’s way of addressing the balance as we are now well aware. Many species around the world that are not able to adapt are at immediate risk. As mankind extracts Earth’s remaining resources, leaving baron land or monoculture in its wake, and housing developments eroding the countryside, we should all be doing our bit to help put things right.
Whether it is recycling or just cycling, ‘lots of littles make a lot’ as I often say. Recent Covid lockdowns have highlighted how important the natural world around is for our well-being, so maybe something good will come out of this mess if we can all remember this after we are released back into our old jobs and routines and dreaming of holidays abroad. While some creatures seem to be on the incline, it must be said that the overall direction we are heading does not fare well for us; who wants to be ‘the last man standing’ in a sterile world? Not me. Maybe the current generation are key? If we could get more young people inspired, get them all, maybe even ‘trending’ on ‘Chitter’ and ‘Friendface’?
Garden Nectar Sources Sources for Butterflies - L is for Laurel and Lavender Richard Stewart
The next two alphabetical nectar sources have not performed well in our garden. Summer Jasmine is scented and with a multitude of flowers as it climbs up our dining room wall-but it has only attracted a Large White. Knapweed has had a similar lack of interest with just a Small White and this is a nectar source seemingly visited more often in the wider countryside. However, Margaret Vickery in her list of the top two hundred nectar plants for gardens lists Knapweed as visited by twenty-three species and 21st in her list. Onto Laurel, an evergreen shrub which has masses of creamy white flowers in the spring and the one in our back garden has been visited by Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma, Small White and Green Hairstreak. Returning to that top two hundred list, Lavender
Large Skipper on Lavender by Trevor Goodfellow 20
