This is wonderful and I’m so with you on the spectral nature of disappeared insects. I can’t look at a buddleia in bloom without seeing absence. I’m seriously wondering what it would mean to take an ‘insects first’ approach to cultivating the allotment this year, forgoing some food crops for humans in favour of what will nourish the insects.
This was a poignant and beautiful read! The depth of time and the features of plenty and of loss, present all at once--a simultaneous blossoming and heart break.
I am fairly sure that there are native plant societies over there, as there are here. The rich ecological connections between native plants and native insects is something that is often overlooked I work for a nonprofit organization here in Michigan that is focused on restoring that feature of native ecology to support a diversity of native pollinating insects and birds. Our cultivated plants can offer some pollen and nectar, but many native insects need specific native plants and trees for larva. I'm not a purist, but those ancient natural relationships are so important.
This is wonderful and I’m so with you on the spectral nature of disappeared insects. I can’t look at a buddleia in bloom without seeing absence. I’m seriously wondering what it would mean to take an ‘insects first’ approach to cultivating the allotment this year, forgoing some food crops for humans in favour of what will nourish the insects.
This was a poignant and beautiful read! The depth of time and the features of plenty and of loss, present all at once--a simultaneous blossoming and heart break.
I am fairly sure that there are native plant societies over there, as there are here. The rich ecological connections between native plants and native insects is something that is often overlooked I work for a nonprofit organization here in Michigan that is focused on restoring that feature of native ecology to support a diversity of native pollinating insects and birds. Our cultivated plants can offer some pollen and nectar, but many native insects need specific native plants and trees for larva. I'm not a purist, but those ancient natural relationships are so important.