We went to the NHM to attend the Natural History Museum Garden's informative 'Gardening for Butterflies' talk. We came away with a plan to improve Plot57b habitat for butterflies by planting more larval food plants.
We have Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus butterflies as we grow its larval food plants: holly and ivy. The nettle patch we've had established for a number of years in the disused garden incinerator goes some way to attracting Comma Polygonia c-album and Red Admirals Vanessa atalanta. We plan to plant Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica for Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni and Lady's smock Cardamine pratensis for Orange-tip Anthocharis cardamines butterflies.
Caddisfly larvae Trichoptera Sp.
WE also made the most of the Spring Wildlife Event pond dipping activity. As you would expect from the nation's wildlife museum, the garden's pond is teeming with wildlife.
- Our list tallied:
- 3 Caddisfly larvae Trichoptera
- 1 Lesser Water boatman Corixidae Sp.
- 1 Greater Water boatman Notonecta Sp.
- 5+ mayfly larvae Ephemeroptera
- 1 damselfly larvae Odonata
- 1 Water hog-louse Asellus aquaticus
- 2 Leech possibly Erpobdella Sp.
- 10+ flatworm Dugesia Sp.
- countless phantom midge larvae Charborus sp.
- countless daphnia Cladocera
Leech possibly Erpobdella Sp.
Mayfly larvae Ephemeroptera
