1. Wasp
Wasps are beneficial insects in the wild and can in fact look after our plants. They are vital predators, feeding their grubs on other minibeasts such as caterpillars and aphids, protecting plants from being eaten. Wasps are not as hairy as bees so pollen does not stick to them as easily, but they can still play a valuable role in pollinating.
2. Mouse
Six species of mice can be found in the UK, one found in the Rock Garden is the yellow-necked mouse. You can identify them by the band of yellow fur around their neck. They eat nuts, seeds, insects and other invertebrates. They also help keep pest insect (also slug and snail) populations under control, especially those that destroy pollinating flowers or compete with pollinating insect species.
3. Solitary Bee
Solitary bees make up 90% of the UK population of bees. These bees are better at pollinating than honeybees. Solitary bees carry pollen on a pollen brush on their legs or around their stomach. The bees are only on the wing for a few weeks so it is a race against time to provide food for their larvae. Unlike the honeybee and bumblebee species, these bees don’t live in colonies, but a single female builds her own nest.
4. Bird
A variety of birds can be seen and heard in the Rock Garden. However, a species you are likely to see most days throughout the year and most certainly hear above the rest, is the wren. It is one of the smallest birds in the UK, weighing just 10 grams! They are always on the move, rummaging through the undergrowth, rocky crevices and in trees as they search for insects to eat. They also eat seeds and berries especially in the winter when it is harder to find food.
5. Bat
We have 18 species of bat in the UK, with the common pipistrelle being our smallest and most common. They are so small, they could fit into a matchbox! However, the common pipistrelle has a big appetite and can eat up to 3,000 insects a night by using echolocation. They like flying insects such as moths, which are attracted to the night scented flowers found in the Rock Garden. Bats are easiest to spot around dusk when they come out to feed.
6. Hoverfly
Hoverflies are very productive pollinators and are known to visit approximately 72% of global food crops and over 70% of animal pollinated wildflowers. Hoverfly adults feed on flower nectar and will transfer pollen from one flower to another. Their larvae feed on aphids and protect plants by eating their pests. Hoverflies are highly migratory insects and can travel hundreds of kilometers a day.
7. Dragonfly
Dragonflies have a fascinating life cycle, living underwater for many years as a nymph before they crawl out and emerge into the beautiful creatures seen flying over ponds and wetlands. Dragonflies are important to pollinators by preying on other insects, including bees and butterflies. This also helps to spread pollen, producing more native plants and more resources for pollinators.
8. Bumblebee
These large, furry bees meander or ‘bumble’ around. Listen for their buzzing sound. There are 24 different species in the UK. Look carefully at their colour and pattern to identify them. Bumblebees don’t make honey but are essential for pollinating plants. This occurs when they feed on pollen and nectar, the pollen collects on their hairy bodies and is transferred between flowers. We can help bees by planting their favourite flowers including honeysuckle, foxglove and clover.
9. Ladybird
You’ve probably seen the native 7-spot ladybird many times as it is the most common of our ladybirds. These red insects with their distinctive black spots are found anywhere where there are aphids for them to feed on. This makes them great for gardeners but more importantly for pollinators as they munch on the insects that munch on garden plants. Their bright colours are a warning to predators that they taste horrible!
10. Butterfly
Butterflies, such as the red admiral are important pollinators. While drinking nectar from a flower, they accidentally collect pollen grains on their body and legs. This pollen is then taken to the next flower along with the butterfly, in search of more nectar. This is how pollination happens. The UK has 59 species of butterflies. We encourage a variety of them to visit the Rock Garden by planting nectar-rich flowers for them to feed on.