August rain’s a sting in the tail for bees

A WASHOUT August has proved disastrous for bees and butterflies, despite a promising start to the summer.

Prolonged damp spells have hit the breeding habits of many flying insects as well as raising the risk of diseases and mould, said the National Trust.

Experts had thought this summer was on course to be ‘the best for wildlife in over a decade’ before the country was plagued by wet and windy weather.

Matthew Oates, of the National Trust, said: ‘After a highly promising spring and early summer, the good weather was disrupted and the rains came down. This was especially damaging for warmth-loving insects, including many butterflies and bees.

‘It means we haven’t had a genuinely good summer since 2006 – the wait goes on.’

Wildlife in the north and west of the country has had a ‘particularly rough time’, he added.

However the heat of early summer and later persistent rains are likely to lead to a good autumn for fungi and could also benefit spider populations, the charity said.