Recording Plants for Bugs Plansr t fo bugs

Our entomologists have recorded tens of thousands of invertebrates from the plots, including 16 of wisley butterfly, 8 species of bumblebee, more than 50 species Twenty-first century studies such as Sheffield University’s BUGS of spider, and 47 species of ground . A species of (Biodiversity in Urban Gardens Sheffield) have conclusively shown millipede new to Britain (Anamastigona pulchellum) has that gardens are a rich habitat for wildlife. Plants are a key factor also been recorded on the Plants for Bugs site. in this, but it is unclear how the roles of native and non-native RHS science plants for wildlife compare. Current planting guidance for wildlife gardeners can be confusing and is largely based on assumptions Volucella zonaria (hornet mimic hoverfly) or anecdotal evidence. Undertaken by the RHS Science Dept Plants for Bugs One of Britain’s largest hoverflies, shown d with support from the Wildlife Gardening Forum, Plants for r a here on Knautia arvensis, is a regular visitor p p Bugs is a unique study that will test whether the geographical

e to the plots. The adults visit flowers, feeding

h

s

origin of garden plants affects the abundance and diversity of l on nectar. The larvae feed on detritus in the

o

r

a nests of social wasps. c invertebrates they support. The Wisley Plants for Bugs site is open to visitors. It is situated at the end of Howards Field (see below). Bombus terrestris (buff-tailed bumblebee)

d One of the six bumblebees commonly found a e in gardens. This species is the most commonly

t s

l observed bumblebee on the plots. It is a h

seen here collecting and nectar from

w

e

r Scabiosa columbaria. d n

a Plants for Bugs site nobilis (thick-legged flower beetle) Main entrance This beetle is often seen feeding on pollen Plants for Bugs at Wisley d in southern . The male (shown here

r a

p on Leucanthemum vulgare, ox-eye daisy) has

p

e

h enlarged hind legs, while the female’s hind legs

s

l A ll photographs © RHS / photographer. Cover (clockwise from top left). o are thin. The larvae develop in plant stems.

r a

c Female Misumina vatia (flower crab spider) on Valeriana officinalis Vanessa atalanta (red admiral butterfly) with hoverfly (Helen Bostock); Thymelicus sylvestris (small skipper) on Scabiosa caucasica (Carol Sheppard); nectar-sampling (Georgi Mabee). One of 16 species of butterfly recorded visiting flowers on the plots. The caterpillars Inside (left). rumicis (knotgrass ; Carol Sheppard). Middle

k

c (clockwise from top). Palomena prasina (green shield bug) on Stachys

o feed on common nettle. One of the few t

s species of butterfly that is becoming more

o officinalis; Pyronia tithonus (gatekeeper) on Stachys byzantina; Apis

b

n common.

e

l mellifera (honeybee) on Lobelia tupa (all Helen Bostock); Plants for Bugs e

h site, Wisley (Carol Sheppard); Vortis suction sampling (Georgi Mabee); Leptophyes punctatissima (speckled bush Plants for Bugs plots (Helen Bostock). Right. Male Oedemera nobilis cricket) (thick-legged flower beetle) on Geranium sanguineum (Carol Sheppard). This bush cricket (shown here in its pre-adult

k

c o ‘nymph’ stage, on Armeria juniperifolia) is often

t ► For more information, contact [email protected]

s observed on the plots and in gardens. This species o

b

n is vegetarian; other species are omnivorous and e

l

e h some are almost entirely predatory. Regd charity 222879 / SC038262 RHS SCIENCE rhs.org.uk/plants4bugs ◄ Plant selection A minimum of 14 plant species native to one of three RHS Plants for Bugs zones has been selected for each treatment. The plant assemblages are designed to appear as similar as We know that some plants possible in terms of plant height, density and position support more wildlife than 1 in the plots. Wherever possible, plants are replaced others, but does it matter like-for-like if gaps or winter losses occur. These pictures where the plants originate show one set of three corresponding plants: Stachys officinalis (left; Britain), Stachys byzantina (top; Northern from? Views differ on whether Hemisphere), and Lobelia tupa (Southern Hemisphere). only natives such as ox-eye daisies and primroses should be planted or whether exotic Invertebrates from native species such as fuchsia and and non-native plots are verbena have a place in 2 recorded from the ground a wildlife garden too. The (using pitfall and gastropod Plants for Bugs project, traps), the foliage (using a a four-year field study at Vortis suction sampler x) RHS Wisley, will attempt and the air (by visual to answer this question. observations). Soil fauna is also being investigated in a The project consists of 36 plots PhD in association with the (each 3x3m) on two sites, one University of Roehampton. within RHS Garden Wisley v, and the other at the adjacent Other data recorded Deers Farm trials site. Each include plant density plot contains a mixture of 14 and canopy cover species native to one of three (vegetation volume), zones: Britain, the Northern soil moisture, numbers Hemisphere excluding of flowers, and nectar Britain, and the Southern volume and composition. Hemisphere u. Each mixture includes bulbs, perennials, An average garden shrubs, a climber and grasses contains around 70% non- or ferns, and is designed to native and 30% British replicate a garden border w. native plants. Data from 3 the Plants for Bugs study Plot design ► should reveal if there are any measurable differences The layout follows a randomised split-plot design with 18 beds at each site and a total of nine planting variations in invertebrate numbers (native A, B and C; near-native A, B and C; and exotic and species between A, B and C). Timber-edged 3x3m plots are separated these plant groups. This by 1m-wide woodchip guard-rows. The plots are kept will inform the advice we as garden-like as possible; hand weed control is carried out to prevent flowering and competition with the plant give to gardeners about assemblages, and plants are watered, cut back or staked 4 planting for wildlife. where required. No pesticides are used on the plots.