Flowers | Hedge Trees and Bushes | Butterflies | Insects

FLOWERS

At this time of year, many flowers can be found on the hedge verges which are refuges for traditional flora: for example, Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), the common Cotton Thistle (Onopordum acanthium) which attracts bees, and Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica). Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) and Broad-Leaved Docks (Rumex obtusifolius) are also in bloom. Flowers that are already out are losing their brilliance.

When walking past Goosegrass or Cleavers (Galium aparine), it will attach itself to your clothes. With its hairy stems, it is intent on dispersing its seeds. It used to be fed to goslings to make them immune to disease, horses and cows also eat it. Its roots make a red dye and the roasted seeds can be used instead of coffee. Back to top

HEDGE TREES AND BUSHES

The Blackberry or bramble blossom is out. There are over a hundred species in this genus – rubus – listed for Ireland and England. One of them is the Stone Bramble (Rubus saxatilis), found in coastal hedges. Hoverflies love the bramble flower.

Hazel (Corylus avellana) will be covered with fruit this month and can be found especially in the Burren and south of the Broadmeadow River in Fingal. Back to top

BUTTERFLIES

The Meadow Brown butterfly can be seen in the hedges and also Fritillary butterflies. Beds of nettles may be covered with Peacock caterpillars. Back to top

INSECTS

In July you find many insects in the hedge; a hedge Oak (Quercus spp.) may have as many as 300 species of bugs, beetles and moths feeding on the leaves. Willow and Rosaceae such as Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Crabapple also attract lots of insects. Holly attracts relatively few species, but sometimes it draws rare insects that are found nowhere else! The Holly Blue caterpillar relies on holly for its food source. Blue Dragonflies can be seen near hedges along streams. 

In July, these insects or invertebrates are important for hungry bird nestlings. Seed-eating birds also feed insects to their young to ensure they get sufficient water in their diet.

Not all insects feed on leaves, as plants can work to actively discourage them; for example, Hazel has a thick covering of hairs, and Oak leaves produce poisonous tannin to deter them.

But you find tiny creatures like Moth and Sawfly caterpillars, as well as Leaf Beetles, Weevils and their larvae. Other insects feed on plant sap – for example, Capsid Bugs, Froghoppers, Leafhoppers and Aphids. These insects attract predators, such as Earwigs, Lacewings and beetles like Ladybirds.

Fungi and Algae provide food for Barklice (Psocoptera). Back to top

Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec