Insect Food

Yes - Insects such as bees, butterflies, beetles, moths and flies pollinate plants and flowers by carrying pollen.

Pollination is where pollen is transferred from the male part of a flower (stamen), to the female part (stigma), of either the same or a different flower. This is how plants are fertilised enabling them to create fruits and seeds for reproduction.

Some insects can help protect against invasive species by preying on them or by competing with them for resources, in turn helping to control populations.

Insects eat a wide variety of foods including nectar, pollen, plant leaves, other insects and animal waste.

Not usually. For most garden insects, providing suitable plants and natural habitat is more beneficial than offering supplementary food. Nectar-rich flowers provide essential food for pollinators, while different plants flowering from early spring through to autumn can support insects throughout the season. Butterfly feeders and nectar mixes can have a place in the garden, but they should complement rather than replace good planting. A diverse range of flowering plants is one of the most effective ways to support garden insects.

Providing a good range of flowering plants throughout the year, particularly in early spring and late summer, can make a real difference to garden pollinators. Many gardens have plenty of flowers in June but fewer sources of nectar in March or September, when emerging queen bumblebees and other insects may still need food. Allow herbs such as oregano, marjoram, thyme and lavender to flower, and consider leaving ivy to bloom in autumn, as its flowers can provide an important late-season nectar source.

Sugar water is best reserved for butterflies that are exhausted, grounded or found indoors, rather than as a regular food source. In these situations, a very dilute plain sugar solution can provide temporary energy while the butterfly recovers. For garden butterflies, nectar-rich plants are much more beneficial, with buddleia, verbena and ivy providing useful sources of nectar at different times of year. Avoid honey, as it can carry microorganisms that may be harmful to insects.

You should not put food inside an insect house. Solitary bees provision their nesting cells with pollen they collect themselves, while other insects using the house find their own food nearby. Adding food or other materials can introduce moisture and encourage mould or spoilage. An insect house is primarily there to provide shelter and nesting spaces, so the best way to support its occupants is to provide suitable flowering plants and natural habitat nearby.