Yesterday I watched a female Orange Tip spending a long time drinking nectar from my Broad Bean flowers and a Small White was also flitting around. It got me wondering to what extent butterflies pollinate our crops.
This year again the bumblebees are doing very well but the honey bees are rather scarce - again.
Pollinating Butterflies
Moderators: KG Steve, Chantal, Tigger, peter, Chief Spud
I don't think butterflies will have a great impact on pollination because, compared to the number of other pollinating insects, their overall numbers must be very small. But, flitting from flower to flower, presumably they will help!
Unfortunately, here, too, the number of honey bees is certainly down on previous years. We know of two local bee keepers who have given up for a variety of reasons and no youngsters came forward to take on the hives. I think overall, insect life is down this year locally (not because of the severe winter, I think a cold, dry winter is much better for them than a damp, warm one!), but because of the strong winds we have be having - either it's cold and still when the insects don't fly or it's warm and windy when they don't fly either! Because of the lack of insects, our bat numbers are down, too. Sorry to digress.
Unfortunately, here, too, the number of honey bees is certainly down on previous years. We know of two local bee keepers who have given up for a variety of reasons and no youngsters came forward to take on the hives. I think overall, insect life is down this year locally (not because of the severe winter, I think a cold, dry winter is much better for them than a damp, warm one!), but because of the strong winds we have be having - either it's cold and still when the insects don't fly or it's warm and windy when they don't fly either! Because of the lack of insects, our bat numbers are down, too. Sorry to digress.