What to watch out for in June
Leafcutter bee season is in full swing. There are three species likely to visit gardens: the patchwork leafcutter, Megachile centuncularis, the larger woodcarving leafcutter, M. ligniseca, and the Willughby’s leafcutter bee, M. willughbiella – the male of which looks like he’s wearing a big pair of gloves!
As solitary bees, they nest in bee hotels and other cavities – the Willughby may also use hanging baskets. They cut circular or oblong pieces from the leaves of plants such as birch, roses and wisteria to line their nest cells, into which they lay an egg on a parcel of pollen and nectar. Hang a bee hotel, with holes 10-12mm in diameter, in a sunny or partially shaded spot, 1-2m from the ground.
You may spot…
Garden tiger moth ( Arctia caja) This large moth has beautiful white upper wings with brown splodges, and orange underwings with blueback markings. It’s commonly attracted to moth traps. If disturbed during the day, it will flash its underwings as a sign of danger, but you’re in for a treat if you see this.
Its ‘woolly bear’ caterpillars are just as gorgeous: big furry things, which sometimes feed during the day. They’re often found on the ground in spring, looking for somewhere to pupate, usually among vegetation.
The garden tiger used to be one of our most common moths, however, populations have dived recently. It’s thought mild winters and habitat loss are to blame. Garden tiger caterpillars eat weeds such as burdock, dock and nettles, but the widespread maintenance of gardens, parks and road verges have pushed populations to fall by 92 per cent in some regions since 1968. To help reverse these declines, dedicate an area of your garden where weeds can grow. Compost your waste in open heaps, so the caterpillars have somewhere to pupate, and allow small piles of leaves and other garden debris to accumulate behind pots and sheds.
Also lookout for…
Baby birds. Many species will be fledging from nests this month. Look out for baby blackbirds on the lawn and blue tits that look like they’ve had a lemon wash.
Swifts, which scream through the skies and nest in buildings. Erect a swift nest box for them to nest in next year.
The tiger moth will sometimes flash its underwings as a sign of danger – you’re in for a treat if you see this