Warm, sheltered sites for overwintering are vital for a butterfly's survival
Without hibernation sites, butterflies and other insects just cannot survive the winter. Providing nectar-producing flowers for adult butterflies and juicy leaves for their caterpillars is not quite enough. They also need cosy safe havens in which to spend the winter. This is equally true whether the butterfly overwinters as an egg, caterpillar, chrysalis or adult.
TIDY GARDENS - AN ENEMY OF BIODIVERSITY
An obsession with tidiness results in the destruction of overwintering sites for invertebrates.
Butterflies NEED old trees with their cracks and holes, undisturbed clumps of dead vegetation, log piles and derelict outbuildings to survive the British winter.
Tidying up gardens and public greenspaces in autumn can destroy their winter retreats leaving them at the mercy of biting winds, with little likelihood of survival.
TIDY GARDENS - AN ENEMY OF BIODIVERSITY
An obsession with tidiness results in the destruction of overwintering sites for invertebrates.
Butterflies NEED old trees with their cracks and holes, undisturbed clumps of dead vegetation, log piles and derelict outbuildings to survive the British winter.
Tidying up gardens and public greenspaces in autumn can destroy their winter retreats leaving them at the mercy of biting winds, with little likelihood of survival.
CREVICES IN THE BARK OF OLD TREESOld trees like this Oak are best as they have more cracks and crevices than young saplings. Don't allow them to be cut down, or if essential for safety always leave as much trunk as possible.
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IVY-CLAD WALLSA thick coating of ivy and other climbers provides not only winter shelter, but nectar in spring, and berries for birds in winter.
No idyllic country cottage, then a boundary wall or old shed will do. |
THICK CLUMPS OF VEGETATIONA good thick tuft of grass or any sizeable wildflower can provide winter refuge for insects, but only if it is not mowed to the ground.
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EVEN A DILAPIDATED OUTHOUSEIn the absence of more natural alternatives a dilapidated outhouse can provide a good alternative, especially for hibernating adult butterflies like the Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell.
Avoid the temptation to demolish it, cover it will ivy or climbing roses instead. |