LEARN ABOUT BUG WATCHING
This month we’re celebrating National Children’s Gardening Week with Bug Watching, a topic chosen by 3-year-old William, a competition winner from our Carlisle store!
Bugs are small creatures that crawl, fly, or hop around. They come in all different shapes and sizes, from the tiny ant to the magnificent butterfly.
Bugs are fun to watch and they’re also very important to our ecosystems and our gardens too
Keep reading to learn more about the brilliant bugs we can spot in the great outdoors
Why are bugs so important?
Bugs are important because they help to support the amazing mix of life that makes our planet so special. Here are just some of the ways they help our world go round:
- They provide food for other animals: birds, frogs, and fish rely on bugs as an important part of their diet. Without bugs, these animals would not have enough food to survive.
- They pollinate plants: bugs like bees and butterflies help to pollinate plants, which is important for the growth and survival of many different types of plants.
- They’re essential for our ecosystem: for example, ants help to bring more air to the soil, which allows plants to grow. They can also break down dead plants and animals, transforming them into nutrients for new life to grow from!
Where do bugs live?
Bugs can be found in almost every corner of the world and can live just about anywhere, from the depths of the ocean to the top of the highest mountains. In our gardens they can be found:
- Under rocks: bugs love to hide under rocks, which provide shelter from the sun and predators.
- In the soil: bugs love soil! Here they play important roles in spreading nutrients.
- On plants and flowers: another common place to find bugs is on plants, flowers, and trees which provide them with food.
- Near water: many bugs live near water sources like ponds, streams, or puddles too.
What bugs can you watch in your garden?
Butterflies
Butterflies are insects with large, colourful wings. They start their lives as caterpillars and then transform into beautiful butterflies. You can find them in your garden by looking for flowers, as they love to feed on nectar. You might also see them flitting around in the sunshine!
Ants
Ants are tiny but strong little insects that live in colonies. They work together to gather food, take care of their young, and build their nests. You might see ants in your garden carrying tiny pieces of leaves or other materials back to their nests
Spiders
Spiders are famous for their ability to spin webs, which they use to catch their prey. You might find spiders in your garden in their webs, which can be strung up between trees and bushes
Worms
Worms play an important role in our environment as they create tunnels in the soil that allow air and water to flow through. You might find worms in your garden by digging in the soil or looking for them on rainy days when they come up to the surface
Bumblebees
Bumblebees are large, fuzzy insects that are famous for their ability to pollinate plants. You can find bumblebees in your garden by looking for flowers, as they love to feed on nectar
Ladybirds
Ladybirds, also known as ladybugs, are small, colourful insects with black spots on their bright red or orange bodies. You might spot ladybirds sitting on the leaves and stems of plants
Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers are famous for their ability to make a loud "chirping" noise by rubbing their legs together, so you’ll most likely hear them before you see them! You’ll normally find these critters in areas with tall grasses
The amazing life of a butterfly
Have you ever seen a butterfly fluttering around in your garden? Did you know that these pretty creatures go through an amazing transformation called metamorphosis? It has four stages, and each one is very different and exciting!
1. The Egg
The butterfly starts out as a tiny egg that's laid on a leaf by its butterfly mum. It's so small and round that it looks like a little bead
2. The Caterpillar
The egg hatches into a caterpillar. The caterpillar is the baby butterfly and is always hungry, so it spends its time munching on leaves and growing bigger and bigger
3. The Cocoon
After eating and growing, the caterpillar forms a cosy little house called a cocoon. Inside the cocoon is where a big change happens
4. The Butterfly
The butterfly emerges from the cocoon as a beautiful adult. It has beautiful wings and can fly around looking for food and a mate
How to go bug watching
Bug watching is a really easy way to get to know the little critters that call our gardens home, and you can do it anywhere!
To get started you'll need:
- Our downloadable Bug Checklist
- A magnifying glass if you have one!
- A jar or container with a lid
- A paintbrush
- A notepad and pen
How to go bug watching
Step 1:
- Adventure out into your garden or a local green space
Step 2:
- Go and explore bug habitats like dark damp spots under rocks, near ponds or amongst plants and leaves
Step 3:
- You can use your paint brush to gently brush the bug into your jar
Step 4:
- If you have one handy, you can take a closer look with your magnifying glass
Step 5:
- Use your check list to work out what you've caught and jot it down in your notebook – or simply draw it!
Step 6:
- Put the bug back carefully