There are a number an aesthetic values to butterflies and moths, not least of which is that they are part of our natural heritage and they are beautiful to observe. Butterflies are also often portrayed as the essence of nature or as representing freedom, beauty or peace.
FACTS:
- Butterflies and moths are indicators of a healthy environment and healthy ecosystems.
- They indicate a wide range of other invertebrates, which comprise over two-thirds of all species.
- Areas rich in butterflies and moths are rich in other invertebrates. These collectively provide a wide range of environmental benefits, including pollination and natural pest control.
- Moths and butterflies are an important element of the food chain and are prey for birds, bats and other insectivorous animals (for example, in Britain and Ireland, Blue Tits eat an estimated 50 billion moth caterpillars each year).
- Butterflies and moths support a range of other predators and parasites, many of which are specific to individual species, or groups of species.
- Butterflies have been widely used by ecologists as model organisms to study the impact of habitat loss and fragmentation, and climate change.
While so many native butterflies are now in short supply, it is becoming increasingly rare to see the abundance of butterflies that one would expect to see 30 years ago during the summer months.
Some of the rarer butterflies such as the Marbled White, need a mixture of grasses in the same area because the caterpillars favour different species at different stages of their growth. Favourite grasses include Red Fescue, Sheeps Fescue, Knapweed, Red Clover and Yarrow. Whereas the Common Blue loves Birds foot Trefoil, Clover, Knapweed and Marjoram, adult Yellow Brimstone’s and Grizzled Skippers love the Campion’s as a significant source of nectar.
Day flying moths are also valued visitors to wildflower meadows. Some are so beautiful that they are sometimes mistaken for Butterflies. Species such as the unmistakable Hummingbird Hawk Moth whose larva feeds on Ladies Bedstraw is a typical visitor to wildflower meadows. Further beneficiaries are Six Spot Burnet, Magpie and Silver Y moths, all who feed on the rich nectar sources to be found in a wildflower meadow.
Wildflower meadows are a magical way to improve and increase the habitats of our native butterflies and moths. The more obvious advantage to humans is the utter joy of seeing such beautiful creatures flying around in the countryside year on year.
Next week in Part 3 we will explore the advantages to night flying creatures……..spooky! In the meantime here are a few photos for you to enjoy!
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