The worms have spent some time drawing a poster to support the #putpollinatorsfirst campaign. They focussed on pollinating insects. Here’s the beetle, it’s been pollinating for the last 90 odd million years. A few they love are #magnolias #euphorbias #acacia #waterlilies

#putpollinatorsfirst poster showing the plants that beetles like to pollinate They like open flowers, where they can land I guess … plants like, Euphorbias, Acacias, Water lilies and Magnolias … Magnolia is an ancient genus. Appearing before bees evolved, the flowers are theorized to have evolved to encourage pollination by beetles.[1] To avoid damage from pollinating beetles, the carpels of Magnolia flowers are extremely tough.[2] Fossilized specimens of plants identifiably belonging to the Magnoliaceae (mag-no-li-aysee) date to 95 million years ago

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The wrigglers are amateur gardeners, for advice from the experts try Gardener’s World – they know what they’re talking about!

There’s a plant for every pollinator

It’s important to note, Insects don’t pollinate for the good of humankind … It’s for purely selfish reasons … they do it for nectar and pollen. Sugar and protein basically. but in doing so they travel from flower to flower and fertilise them so that they can produce and set their fruits and seeds … apples, strawberries, runner beans and so much more! We wouldn’t have chocolate, tea or coffee without the help of pollinators.

Put pollinators first raises awareness of the decline of pollinators in the UK. It*’s not surprising when you know that, since the 1930’s 97% of our wildflower meadows have been destroyed. That’s 7 million acres of land.

With 22 million gardens in the UK, we can help claim back 1.2 million acres and help reverse the decline.

There are more campaigns out there working towards encouraging pollinators, too. So we’re not working alone.

The Wrigglers have joined the #putpollinators first Campaign

Wild flower meadows flower for longer due to the diverse range of plants in them. That’s more flowers for you, and more food for the bees and insects. Plant one and join the Gardener’s World Put Pollinators First campaign – raising awareness of the decline of our pollinators @GWmagazine

Click to see our ‘Put Pollinators First’ page

Gardener’s world launched its #putpollinatorsfirst campaign, as part of their 30th Anniversary celebrations of BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. See what you can do to play your part:

Join in the Gardener’s World team and pledge here

With a panel of pollinator experts, committed to helping bees and other pollinating insects to thrive, Dr Trevor Dines says, ” Since the 1930’s, over 97 percent of our wildflower meadows have been destroyed. That’s 7.5 million acres, gone. Now you can understand why our pollinators are in such trouble.”

There are 3 ideas:

Sow some pollinator meadow seeds

Create habitats for butterflies, moths and caterpillars

Make a cornfield nectar bar

By making a meadow, even on a small scale, we can provide a banquet for pollinators that’ll help them to thrive.

Here are some seed suppliers and links:

Dobies

Thomson and Morgan – how to sow wildflower seeds

RHS – How to grow a mini wild flower meadow