Forum Topic

Fewer bees, but more drones?

That buzzing that you will hear won't be insects."‘This year has been dead’: where have Britain’s insects gone?Surveys suggest that wet weather and habitat deterioration are among the causes of devastating population declines, but there are ways to help."https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/15/britain-insects-surveys-butterflies-climate-aoeOn the upside it will be goodies and gewgaws coming right at you:-"Clear for takeoff? Amazon gets green light to test-fly delivery drones in UKCAA will test machines flying out of human controller’s line of sight and could pave way for home deliveries."https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/aug/15/clear-for-takeoff-amazon-gets-green-light-to-test-fly-delivery-drones-in-ukWhat's not to like?!

David Ainsworth ● 309d4 Comments

And the hornets are despicable as they eat worker bees....

Ivonne Holliday ● 308d

Fewer insects yes but a hornet did fly in! Fewer ants and the Robins are always eager to eat them up.

Katrina Black ● 308d

Yesterday I happened to see my first Red Admiral of the year sitting on a leaf enjoying a drink.  There were bees yesterday drinking from the rainwater on the leaves too.  (There is some water in a dish in the garden too.)The bumble bees now seem to overwinter and were around when the bush honeysuckle was flowering in Spring but there are fewer bees visiting now although I've seen some on the buddleia - but NO butterflies. :(  I did spot a big caterpillar I'd never seen before munching its way through buddleia leaves when visiting family several weeks ago and the two year old gave guided tours to inspect it to all visitors until it disappeared presumably to pupate.  We identified it as a mullein moth caterpillar.  It does seem that with a few exceptions the most interesting caterpillars are those of far less interesting moths!Are drones carrying parcels going to be less of a hazard than the parcels thrown over the fence?  With so many parcels going missing and being delivered to the wrong doorstep or driveway I suppose it may be cheaper than employing people in vans to deliver but how will they ring the doorbell or hide the package in the binstore?

Philippa Bond ● 308d

Well it hasn't got rid of the slugs and snails, or birds I have plenty and sparrows have all come back in the last few weeks as well as Jays and parakeets. Also Butterflies I've seen, not many ants or flying ants like other years. Still flies and wasps. The drones are probably watching us, we are the insects on the planet.

Barbara Stevens ● 309d