Beneficial insects
Insects play an import role in the health of our gardens and the wider ecosystem. By creating a conducive environment we can encourage the tiny helpers to hang around. Insects prey on others, pollinate plants, are food for birds and generally add to the richness, complexity and diversity of a healthy ecosystem.
European potter wasp
Ancistrocerus gazella is a species of potter wasp. As an adult they eat nectar and aphid honeydew. The female collects as many as 20 caterpillars which the hatched lava eat. Each nest consists of a single cell which is sealed with mud.
Ladybird
A positive site in the garden, the common ladybird is a beneficial insect as it consumes aphids. Shown here on a sunflower leaf they are also fond of the flowers of parsnip, coriander and celery. A quick audit of a small section of the garden revealed over 120 of these wonderful creatures.December 17, 2015
Bumble bee working
Details We love our hard working bumble bees. Here one explores the solomon's seal.Date November 06, 2013
Phacelia
Details Quick growing manure crop or as a sanctuary for predator insects to feed and plan their assaults from. Dig or plough in anytime. Sow from September through to April at a rate of 30g per 10m2 or 1kg per 300m2.Common name PhaceliaLatin name Phacelia tanacetifoliaHeight (m) 1Forest layer herbaceousDate July 08, 2013Propigation method Sow directShade / Sun Full sunSoil type MostFlowers PurpleSource http://www.kingsseeds.co.nz
The mites
I noticed a bee land and franticly clean itself the other day. There was obviously something 'wrong' or upsetting it. I was able to pin it down and inspect what appeared to be some kind of parasite. Using tweezers I was able to catch one of the slippery little creatures but at least one more eluded me, hiding between the bees thorax and abdomen. On further research I am confident what I saw was verroa, which is known to be present in the area.The good news is... while verroa mites have been found on bumblebees they are not able to reproduce on them however this does make the bumblebee a vector for spreading the mites.
June 14, 2013
The bees are back
This year we have seen an impressive rebound in bee numbers. It is unlikely due to anything we have done but it is wonderful to see them working frantically on all the things we have planted in the last couple of years. So we are helping them in some way.January 13, 2013
Wild-flowers spreading
As part of our commitment to the humble bumble and our general enjoyment of displacing grass, we have established a bunch of micro pioneer gardens. These are bubbles of hardy, self seeding, bee friendly blooms that will (hopefully) expand and spread until they join and fill the available space.December 14, 2012Bumblebee nest
Our efforts to create a hospitable environment for bumblebees seems to be paying off. The fuzzy little creatures can be seen on almost any of the numerous types of flowers we have spreading across the property. To top if off we discovered a nest inside the concrete block wall of the chook house and piggery.There is a contented buzzing humming emanating from the wall and every now and then individuals can be seen bumbling in and out.November 20, 2012
Spring, a yellow time of year
It's spring, there's a lot of yellow about and bumbles are everywhere. From the almond to the wattle, our fury little helpers are busy moving genetic material from tree to tree, pollinating the flowers and ensuring a good harvest.September 04, 2012
Stage 1 - Trees, shrubs, ground cover and climbers
The first part of planting is complete with over 150 new substantial, long lived plants finally in the ground.Selected species include:
- Silk tree
- Tree Lucerne
- Winter Sweet
- European hazelnut
- South African tree heath (pictured)
- Shining gum
- Flowering ash
- Hybrid witch hazel
- Green flowered hellebore
- Golden rain tree
- Amur maakia
- Kobus magnolia
- Fraqgrant epaulette tree
- Japanese fodder willow
- Chinese sweet box
- Chinese wisteria
- Black Locust
Funding, an essential element to any project
We move one giant step closer to actually doing something positive for our bumbling friends. Thanks to a very generous contribution from The Wooden Toy Box we have purchased an assortment of bee friendly plants. This first stage planting of small trees and shrubs aims to extend the times of year blossoms are available with future plantings to fill in the gaps with self seeding annuals.www.thewoodentoybox.co.nzJuly 01, 2012