Brimstone moth - photo courtesy of Vaughan Matthews
I
nsects are everywhere, often overlooked, but playing vital roles in almost every ecosystem.
Pollinators When you think about the benefits of having insects around, pollination is probably the first thing that springs to mind. There’s a good reason for this, since 87% of all plant species require animal pollination and most of this is delivered by insects. In fact, around three-quarters of all crop types grown by humans need to be pollinated by insects. Bees are the most famous pollinators but all kinds of insects play important roles as pollinators, including flies, beetles, butterflies, moths and hoverflies. The poo police For most of us, a big pile of poo is a pretty unappealing prospect. But for some creatures, there’s no finer sight and these flies, beetles and other waste-loving wildlife prevent poo from building up in pastures, improve soils and even help control pests.
Incredible Insects
Dung beetles are the champions here but worms and flies also help out. In summer you might spot yellow dung flies courting on cow pats, males competing for the attention of the females that lay their eggs in the dung. 42
