Beneficial insects are essential in keeping our gardens and farms healthy. Some pollinate plants that produce our food. Others eat pests that would otherwise destroy our food crops. They also help break down dead organic material and recycle nutrients back into the soil. We rely on these tiny insects more than we realize, and they are a valuable part of the ecosystem.What … [Read more...] about Beneficial Garden Insects and How to Attract Them to Your Garden
invertebrates
The hidden life of rivers
Earlier this year, in the midst of lockdown, Ireland's Wildlife Contributor Albert Nolan took his children to a river near his home to explore its hidden wildlife.We took the short trip to Toorenbrien Bridge, careful not to stray over our allotted 2km lockdown radius. Here there is a large parking space and the kids and I were going kick sampling in the river. This is … [Read more...] about The hidden life of rivers
Book Review: Insects of Ireland
I've always had a fascination with minibeasts.As a child I used to lie in the long grass for what seemed hours at a time, watching the drama of the miniature ecosystem unfold in front of me. What I was seeing, quite literally under my nose, was every bit as dynamic, exciting and unpredictable as the natural history programmes on the telly. But this was live in my back … [Read more...] about Book Review: Insects of Ireland
Ireland’s minibeasts star in new children’s radio show
A new radio show introducing Irish children to the wonderful world of invertebrates debuts on RTÉ Jr Radio on Saturday 08 February at 11am.Stings, Wings & Crawly Things is a 12 part series for children aged 4-7 years that explores fascinating facts about Irish insects, spiders and all manner of winged and crawly creatures. Presented by a knowledgeable ground beetle … [Read more...] about Ireland’s minibeasts star in new children’s radio show
Awesome minibeasts
I still remember the sense of wonder I felt when, as a little boy, I used to turn over boulders in the rockery. My Dad -- a keen gardener -- was far less keen on my impromptu re-arrangement of his hard-landscaping, but I was more interested in the fascinating world unearthed beneath the hastily relocated rock. Beetles, millipedes, woodlice, earwigs, spiders, and if I hit the … [Read more...] about Awesome minibeasts
