WILD POLLINATORS a Beginners’ Guide to Wild Pollinators in Cumbria

WILD POLLINATORS A beginners’ guide to wild pollinators in Cumbria

Protecting Wildlife for the Future The main Our wild pollinators groups of wild Pollinators pollinators include Mountains, meadows, lakes, woodland and coast help provide bumblebees, solitary of bees, hoverflies, wasps, make a rich and diverse home for Cumbria’s a third butterflies, moths varied wildlife, including the pollinators all the food and beetles that thrive in our wet and cool climate. we eat

What are pollinators? The term ‘pollinator’ simply refers to any DID YOU animal that is known to directly contribute to the pollination of plants. Throughout the world this includes species such as KNOW? bats and birds; however, the most effective pollinators by far are insects.

e p Honeybees Insect pollination occurs when an h

a n t Most insect insect, foraging for nectar or pollen, h are responsible for a w k transfers pollen from one plant to -m o pollinating pollinators t h © another. The pollen fertilises the Tom Marshall 5–15% of the rely solely on plant, causing new seeds to grow. pollen and UK’s insect-pollinated crops, nectar for food Why are they important? leaving 85–95% to wild pollinators Pollinators may be tiny but their impact is huge. They are vital for the health of our planet as they pollinate more than 80% of Of the estimated flowering plants, plus they help to create and maintain habitats and ecosystems that many other animals rely on for food and 5,500 pollinator shelter, including us! Wildflower species in the UK, meadows make 3,186 species have Whilst honeybees are important for pollinating crops and been recorded in providing honey, their role is just part of a far greater contribution perfect pollinator played by the wild pollinator species that populate our planet. havens, but we’ve Cumbria lost 97% since the 1930s

2 3 The wonderful world of Stages of life

pollinating insects Like all insects, pollinators have a fascinating four-stage life The insect world is both vast and complex, with over 24,000 species cycle, which can vary greatly from species to species. Whilst in the UK alone. In order to make sense of it all, insects, like all the majority of pollinators have an annual life cycle, some animals, are categorised using a hierarchical system. The example species like the tortoiseshell butterfly have two generations. below shows the white-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lucorum).

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Apidae Eggs Larva Pupa Adult (caterpillar) (chrysalis) Genus: Bombus Species: Bombus lucorum The beginning Overwintering A class of insects For most insects, the egg stage Pollinators overwinter in is very short, lasting only a few different stages of their life cycle, All insect pollinators belong to the class Insecta, which has segmented bodies, jointed legs, and external skeletons. days. However, some insects may depending on species. Many hibernate in the egg stage to avoid species overwinter or pupate extreme conditions, in which case in the soil, on plant stems and Establishing order this stage can last several months. leaves, on decaying wood, and in The next step down from class in the hierarchy is Order. hedgerows. Therefore, leaving For insects, this splits into: Peak season areas undisturbed in winter is hugely beneficial for them. Most insect pollinators synchronise Hymenoptera: Diptera: Lepidoptera: Coleoptera: their life cycle with the flowering A large order of Many winged Butterflies and Beetles are a season of their preferred food The next generation insects, which bees insects are moths are from this group of insects source, and as a result the majority Depending on the species, and bumblebees, commonly called order of insects, that form the emerge as flying adults ready to adults either hibernate or die wasps and sawflies flies, but the name which is one of the order Coleoptera. feed and breed. While the flight off during winter. For example, are all part of. actually applies most widespread times vary from species to species only to members of and recognisable fertilised females of bumblebee the order Diptera – insect orders in depending on when their preferred species hibernate in order to lay the true flies. the world. food source is in bloom, the busiest their eggs when the weather flight times are spring and summer. gets warmer, but males and any workers die off. Because of this, their survival is vital for the success of the next generation. 4 5

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Bumblebees: Solitary bees:

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d Role as a pollinator: e Role as a pollinator: © l i a t e - e f ff b Different bumblebee species have different lengths The dry pollen from flowering plants clings to u g B n i n of tongue, which means they can pollinate a wide special hairs called ‘scopa’ on their abdomen and i array of flowers. In terms of pollen deposits and When to see legs, and is carried from one plant to another. M working speed, bumblebees are said to be eight times Because of this, solitary bees are one of the most more efficient than honeybees in pollinating crops. bumblebees: effective pollinators: 120 times more effective than a February–October single honeybee. Characteristics: Most bumblebees Characteristics: are ‘social’ When to see Bumblebees are and live in a colony DID YOU Like comprised of a queen and Solitary other bees, solitary bees: generally larger bees can be workers (also female). KNOW? and wasps, they March–November (10–25mm) New queens and males Bumblebees can warm found nesting have two pairs and in holes in soil, sand, rounder Bumblebees are reared later in themselves up by of wings than honey or usually decaying stumps of solitary bees the year vibrating their flight wood, rock fissures, DID YOU

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instead, females can g if handled roughly or often with in coloured are known as ‘cuckoo’ in There are 24 often be seen carrying M trodden on. As with bands. These bands bumblebees, as they lay wasps and bumblebees, vary in size and colour eggs in another bumblebee’s species of bright yellow pollen on They males do not sting. with each nest and leave the workers bumblebee in their underbelly live alone, species of that nest to rear the or legs rather than in a young Solitary colony, but they can Britain. Solitary often be found living Unlike bees There over Many of the more common are docile, bees can be close to each other, female species, such as the white- generally hairy, and split into sometimes even using bumblebees, the same entrance 250 species of vary greatly in size three main males and cuckoo tailed bumblebee or common hole (5mm–220mm) groups bees don’t have carder bee, are widespread solitary bee in pollen across Cumbria. Look out Britain. for them in gardens and sacs The red mason bee is common parks. Rarer species such

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p Bees that nest Cleptoparasitic bees: a parks and gardens during the a l e r in the ground: e.g. nomad bees in crevices, dead g can be seen in upland areas, b o u t wood and walls: springtime. Rarer species such m o e.g. mining bees that are essentially b h especially where bilberry e.g. leaf-cutter P and flower bees homeless, and C le as the wool carder bee can be u b ls c e il parasitise the nests bees and mason k e H and heather grow. oo © y bees found in coastal areas. b th Jo re of other solitary ee © Fri n H Sur 6 Penny awkins – bees 7

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a w pollinators in the UK and are able to fly in m n r Role as a pollinator: o extreme weather conditions. Because of a m M m o their abundance and ability to pollinate C Since wasps generally do not have a fur- when other species are not flying, they are like covering of soft hairs, pollen does not very effective pollinators. stick as well to their bodies. However, even When to see without hairs, several wasp species are able to effectively transport pollen, therefore wasps: Characteristics: When to see contributing to pollination. April–November The habitats, life cycles and characteristics of flies: true flies are fascinating and wide ranging. Characteristics: The most important fly pollinators include January–December DID YOU hoverflies; these are also known as flower-flies, as Wasps are important for pest control as the adults primarily feed on nectar and pollen so can workers hunt insects like caterpillars and greenfly KNOW? be seen hovering or nectaring at flowers. Flies are DID YOU to feed to their larvae. They do not need much Nearly every pest insect an ancient group and were probably among the

protein themselves, but they do need sugar, so they on earth is preyed upon first pollinators ofearly flowering plants. KNOW?

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abdomen from the Li nd e hair covering the the UK and new a a ck thorax nd John Reine There are body surface ones are being around 160 discovered e r Wasps can o o wasp species M every year! be classified into k e Adult r They e D Look out for our most three groups: social, © in the UK. true flies e vary in be common hoverfly, the . Wh ble solitary and parasitic have only one ite-t bum colour, from the The common wasp is a ailed marmalade fly, which can be Social wasps, such as the common pair of wings, familiar yellow social wasp and a frequent found in gardens, parks and wasp, live in nests made out of visitor to gardens. The distinguishing them striped, to brown, chewed wood. More gruesomely, woodlands. As the climate less-well-known ruby- from bees and wasps, parasitic wasps do not build a home warms, you may also see the metallic blue, and tailed wasp can be found in which have two bright red for their offspring, but lay their pairs rare hornet hoverfly as it eggs on or in a living animal sandy and rocky habitats heads north from the south or plant host, depending like quarries, outcrops of England. on the species and walls. 8 9

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L a k an c gm b o an a c Role as a pollinator: n Role as a pollinator: a n e i P C As with butterflies, pollen clings to their legs Butterflies search for nectar during the day as they search for nectar. Moths carry pollen and, as they visit flowers, pollen clings to When to see over greater distances than bees. As a result, their legs. They do not return to a nest like both moths and butterflies may help to prevent When to see bees, so butterflies can travel more widely butterflies: inbreeding among plants. Nocturnal species of and carry pollen greater distances. March–October moth also support plant species that benefit moths: from pollination after dark. January–December Characteristics: Characteristics: DID YOU DID YOU Most Nocturnal butterflies KNOW? moths heat up KNOW? have slender Female butterflies taste with their feet. This is how they find their flight muscles by Moths have an excellent antennae, which H e vibrating their wings, sense of smell and are a the right plant to lay their eggs t h are club-shaped S as the sun’s radiant f on. They have receptors on their m drawn to flowers that have ri

t a il at the end l l energy isn’t available to a legs similar to the taste buds l r a strong scent. y © c J o im m y serve that purpose Higha of the human mouth, only 200 p p h e p r a times stronger! r b g u o tt t t e o r h fl P They ly s There are © ll J i on y H Ha urre Unlike have two Butterflies wkins – S around 2,500 distinct types There are 59 butterflies, have four they do species of moth of flight pattern. wings species of not have One is a straight, fast flight club-shaped that are covered butterfly in A in the UK and which is used to move between antennae surprising suitable habitats. When foraging for with colourful, iridescent scales the UK. number of many are found nectar, they adopt a slower flight species fly pattern and often fly in loops, The peacock and orange-tip in Cumbria. butterflies are very common in during the which is thought to help them day The cinnabar moth flies during E identify flowers Cumbria. They are regular visitors le p h both day and night. You are They to our gardens where they feed on an ll t a ha rsh likely to see it in grasslands, nectaring flowers like buddleia. wk Ma flap their -moth © Tom Contrary Northwest Cumbria is home gardens, waste ground, pastures Unlike wings in to the smallest UK butterfly – to popular and hedgerows. some moths, synchronisation the small blue. Numbers have belief, moths Look out for the fascinating butterfliesare when in flight and declined dramatically and it’s a Moths vary hugely in female vapourer moth – it has not active at generally hold them priority species for conservation. usually have only rudimentary wings and erect when Cumbria Wildlife Trust is plump furry colour – there are isn’t capable of flying. night and they prefer working closely with Butterfly at rest bodies lots of bright and It can be found in a variety of to fly on bright sunny Conservation to protect its habitat beautiful habitats, including woodland, days with low wind to ensure it doesn’t disappear parks, gardens, hedgerows forever. Its preferred food source species and heathland. speeds is kidney vetch. 10 11 Beetles: Problems for

an gm an Coleoptera e L ik © M Wasp beetle pollinators Role as a pollinator: Beetles are not generally known for their role as pollinators; however, some species do feed Vanishing insects Staggering losses exclusively on flowers, and others supplement their diet with nectar and pollen. These include DID YOU Sadly, our wild pollinators are Over the last 75 years we’ve lost species such as the soldier beetle, thick-legged flower in trouble. More than half of 97% of our flower-rich meadows, beetle, cockchafer and pollen beetle. Beetles are best KNOW? UK bee, butterfly and moth 50% of our hedgerows, and suited to picking up sticky pollen grains, which attach Fossil records suggest species have declined in the past 60% of flowering plants are in that beetles were the first to their hard outer-bodies. Most beetle-pollinated 50 years, and 30 species of bee decline. This is largely due to the flowers are flattened or dish-shaped, because the pollen pollinators on earth. In fact, face extinction. intensification of agriculture, the is more easily accessible. it is believed they have been pollinating plants since before increased urbanisation of our the time of the dinosaurs! villages, towns and cities, and the Characteristics: construction and expansion of Nature networks major road networks. When to see Much of the remaining flower-rich pollinating habitat on which our pollinators They range in beetles: depend is now seriously size, colour and

April–October fragmented or degraded. Insects

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y l fooling predators into thinking fl do. They have hard r Beetles Cumbria. By getting involved, you e ttt forewings that are it is a common wasp. In fact, the u b are generally can help too! You will find lots of et used to protect the wasp beetle doesn’t sting and gl Rin hindwing and characterised by is completely harmless. Look helpful hints and tips on how to do body their visibly hard for it in hedgerows and woods this on the next page. during summer. You may also see exoskeleton, the common cockchafer, which, which acts as an although widespread, is rarer armoured defence in the north. It be seen at dusk and in the evenings in parks and gardens. 12 13

So ld ie r be et le © Create a pollinator K a tr in a M a rt in / haven at home 20 2 0 V IS IO N Plant 1 nectar and pollen-rich plants It doesn’t matter what size your space is, there’s always room for wild flowers! Set aside an area or even a pot to grow Have you seen a bee, nectar-rich plants and watch the bees and butterflies buzz in. Dandelions are crucial Extend nectar and pollen sources for queen the hoverfly, wasp, butterfly, bumblebees emerging from hibernation, 2 flowering whilst ivy provides late-summer moth or beetle? nectar for butterflies and other season pollinators that are getting Grow a variety of plants ready to hibernate. that flower from early spring to late Record your sightings autumn. When it comes to pollinators in Cumbria, many of the species are vastly under-recorded, and we have large areas where nothing is recorded at all. Your records are vital and will help build up a better picture of how our pollinators are faring across the county. With this information we Build can focus our efforts where they are most needed. 3a bee hotel Solitary bees are important Get online Further reading pollinators and a gardener’s Simply go to our webpage: We hope that once you get started friend. Help them by building www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/ you will want to know more about the many other wild pollinators a bee hotel in your garden getcumbriabuzzing and watch them buzz in the UK. Many excellent field and scroll down to guides are available, and helpful happily about their ‘Record the Buzz’. resources are also provided by business. This will take you to Cumbria Butterfly Conservation, Bumblebee Biodiversity Data Centre’s Conservation Trust and the Field recording page where you can Studies Council. Plus, many more can Leave add your sightings. be found on our web page: a log pile www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/ 4 getcumbriabuzzing Putting together a log pile will create a refuge for beetles and hibernating Remember, if you can’t identify individual species don’t let it put you off recording! You can always record the group of insects e.g. butterfly or bumblebee. If you snap a hoverflies, wasp and bee good picture and submit this with your record, an expert can check it. 14 species. 15 Small blue butterfly @ Steve Doyle Steve @ butterfly blue Small

This publication has been produced as part of Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s ‘Get Cumbria Buzzing!’ project which aims to inspire everyone to do something positive for pollinators, whether it’s planting wild flowers in your garden or window box, or helping to record the different pollinator species you see. Our ambition is to help reverse the decline of pollinators, and we need your help! Working with local communities, volunteers and partners, we will create 115 hectares of flower-rich habitat, providing vital stepping stones for our pollinators to move freely across northwest Cumbria. We’re also working with Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre to create an online Pollinator Atlas to map all sightings submitted – including yours!

Find out more www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/getcumbriabuzzing

Registered Charity No. 218711. Get Cumbria Buzzing! is a Cumbria Local Nature Partnership initiative delivered by Cumbria Wildlife Trust and local partners. It has been made possible by National Lottery Players and support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Highways England, Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust, Rees Jeffreys Road Fund, Cumbria Community Foundation, Tesco, Allerdale Borough Council & Solway Coast AONB. Front cover photo red-tailed bumblebee © Rachel Scopes. Design and illustrations Lisa Hornby e-graphics.co.uk

Protecting Wildlife for the Future