Burrator Biodiversity: All creatures great and small

By Deborah Deveney, Burrator Biodiversity Officer, South West Lakes Trust

The UK supports over 24,000 species of insects, all of which play an integral part in sustaining the diverse and healthy ecosystems that we humans rely upon for our water, food, energy, clothes, shelter, health, etc. Insects are often overlooked and tarnished with the term ‘pest’ particularly when they sting or bite us - believe me I’m not a fan of midges, mosquitoes and horseflies as they love me, but all insects have a role and are particularly vital for our food industry. They can break down and decompose organic matter to maintain healthy soils, pollinate our crops, fruit and vegetables; they break down livestock dung and provide natural pest control by feeding on aphids. In fact, the economic value of these pollination services to the UK crop industry is estimated at £500 million a year (UK insect declines & extinctions, UK Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology, March 2020).

However, we are witnessing huge declines in insect numbers, changes in their distribution and even species extinctions which is threatening the viability of these ecosystems. The loss and fragmentation of species-rich habitats, the increase in chemical use, impacts of climate change and threats from non-native invasive species are all interconnected.

Over the summer months we have been out and about across the Burrator catchment recording insects, and have been joined by professional entomologists (insect surveyors) to see whether the site supports any rare Dartmoor species such as: Blue Ground Beetle (Carabus intricatus), Bog Hoverfly (Eristalis cryptarum), Marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) and Southern damselfly (Coenagrion mercurial). So far we have found Marsh fritillary. The Devon Fly Group have also been out on the ground to record flies, although the unseasonal cold and wet weather during May seems to have affected a few species this year. By gaining a better understanding of what insects the site supports we can help rebuild these insect populations to ensure healthy ecosystems for humans and wildlife, as birds and mammals also rely on insects for food. Buglife is leading on a project to identify nationally or internationally ‘Important Invertebrate Areas’ and parts of Dartmoor are recognised for their important invertebrates and specialist habitats. More information is available at: buglife.org.uk/our-work/important-invertebrate-areas

I can’t imagine a world without the buzz of a bee as it goes from flower to flower or catching a glimpse of a butterfly or moth as it flutters by, and just learning about their complicated life cycles is so fascinating. We must all take responsibility to ensure that we farm and garden with nature not against it. Just leaving some wild areas in your garden for native flowers and allowing trees and hedges to flower and fruit, can provide food and a safe refuge for insects enabling them to perform these vital services that we all rely on.