- Scientists ask public to help uncover hidden value of Britain’s misunderstood ‘creepy crawlies’
- UKCEH will highlight vital importance of citizen science to visitors at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
‘Creepy crawlies’ are quietly helping keep gardens healthy, balanced and thriving by providing important benefits for gardeners and wildlife such as healthy soils and pest control but are under-appreciated and under-recorded say scientists from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH).
As the RHS Chelsea Flower Show gets under way, UKCEH is asking the public to take an interest in unsung heroes of nature such as spiders, earwigs, woodlice and grasshoppers, by submitting their sightings to support vital scientific research.
Appearing at the show for the first time, scientists will be talking to visitors at UKCEH’s exhibit about their range of easy-to-use citizen science apps such as iRecord to report sightings of flora and fauna in gardens and nearby open spaces. These records provide important data and information to scientists about species trends at local and national levels, which will guide action to restore and create habitats.
Many people dread spiders but they eat and therefore control populations of animals that could become pests in high numbers, for example aphids, mosquitoes, fleas and flies, as well as other spiders. They are also important sources of food for birds and small mammals.
Other largely unloved but beneficial invertebrates include:
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Earwigs: Eat aphids and other insects that damage plants, and are particularly effective at protecting fruit trees. They also feed on organic matter and detritus, thereby helping decomposition.
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Woodlice: Are a key component in decomposition and nutrient recycling in the soil, thereby supporting growth of new vegetation.
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Grasshoppers: Provide an important food source for threatened UK farmland birds including the skylark and corncrake, as well as bats, spiders, wasps and beetles.
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Parasitic wasps: Their larvae – which grow inside host species, eventually killing it – control populations of aphids, for example, while adults are pollinators.
Dr Hazel Jackson, Associate Science Director for Biodiversity and Land Use at UKCEH, said: “The invertebrates many people overlook — from spiders to earwigs — are actually some of nature’s most important workers; they control pests, improve soil health and are important food sources for birds and other animals. “
“Protecting them starts right outside our back door. A well-maintained garden, with manicured lawns and covered with pesticides, becomes a desert for wildlife, so leave aside areas of longer grass, choose plants that support species and log piles to provide shelter. Every patch of longer grass, every wild corner and every insect-friendly space can make a difference.”
Become a citizen scientist
There are various ways in which people can record sightings of wildlife to provide scientists with information about biodiversity trends:
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The Big British Garden Survey, a new initiative involving the National Garden Scheme and UKCEH, is encouraging everyone to discover and record the wildlife visiting their gardens this summer. Participants submit observations via apps such as iRecord or FIT Count and complete a survey about their gardens to help scientists better understand the role that gardens play in providing space and resources for wildlife.
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Submit sightings via iRecord, a website and app for sharing wildlife observations. People are encouraged to include a photograph to help with verification. Reports are checked by experts and made available to support research and decision-making at local and national levels.
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Count pollinators visiting a patch of flowers in your garden or local green space for 10 minutes on UKCEH’s Flower Insect Timed (FIT) Count app. You only need to record the group an insect belongs to ie butterfly, hoverfly, beetle etc not the exact species.
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Anyone wanting help identifying a species before submitting a record can reach out to a group of enthusiasts online for advice, such as iNaturalist.
Data informs action
While bees and butterflies are better recorded groups, there is a lack of data about many less popular invertebrate species both in the UK and globally, despite widespread concerns about declines.
Records from citizen scientists enable researchers to not only tell whether species are declining, it directly shapes action on the ground. For example, it guides restoration and creation of habitats, ranging from farmers and other land managers rewilding large areas and reducing pesticide use, to gardeners and community groups planting wildflower patches and installing ponds and bug hotels.
People wanting to remove invertebrates from their home are advised to use a large glass to carefully catch them without trapping their legs, slide a piece of a paper underneath and then take them outside into the garden.
Recent UKCEH research using citizen science and monitoring data has shown that existing protected areas often fail to safeguard invertebrates, underlining the need for better-informed evidence-led conservation.
Dr Rob Cooke, senior ecologist at UKCEH, explained: “We know that unsustainable agricultural practices and urban development are causing habitat loss and declines in invertebrates, and less well-recorded species are almost certainly declining too. However, there is a critical lack of data to show what is happening. Without robust, long-term evidence, it is difficult to target action effectively or measure whether this is making a difference.”
AI supports monitoring
UKCEH is harnessing artificial intelligence and citizen science to address the gap in understanding the extent and speed of the decline in insect populations across the globe, including initiatives such as Project INSPIRE, supported by the Aberdeen Group Charitable Trust. This is working with partners to test methods to increase citizen science around the world and also deploying AI-based camera systems to monitor insects, with initial focus on the UK, Costa Rica and Singapore.
The camera systems, which are also deployed at UK farms and nature reserves in separate projects, will be on display at UKCEH’s stand (GPA 005) at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Visitors can also listen to our recordings of the sounds of various soil and aquatic organisms. Acoustic recording is an emerging field supporting biodiversity research by non-invasively capturing continuous, long-term data on species presence, activity and behaviour, assessing habitat health, tracking impacts of climate change.
Find out more on our RHS Chelsea Flower Show microsite: rhschelsea.ceh.ac.uk
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Media enquiries
For an interview with a scientist or further information, please contact Simon Williams, Media Relations Officer at UKCEH, via simwil@ceh.ac.uk or +44 (0)7920 295384.
UKCEH is appearing at the Chelsea Flower Show (19-23 May) for the first time this year. You can visit us at Stand GPA 005, situated in the GreenSTEM zone in the Great Pavilion.
About the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)
The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) is a leading independent research institute dedicated to understanding and transforming how we interact with the natural world. With over 600 researchers, we tackle the urgent environmental challenges of our time, such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Our evidence-based insights empower governments, businesses, and communities to make informed decisions, shaping a future where both nature and people thrive.
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