Blog - parasite

Medicine for bumblebees

Medicine for bumblebees

by Chris, 26 October, 2019, 0 comments

Some 90% of the world's plants, including many food crops, rely on animals for pollination (as opposed to wind or even rarer water pollination). The contribution of honey bees and bumblebees to these pollination services is vital but they are at risk due to: the effects of disease, climate change effects of pesticides and habitat loss / destruction. Whilst it is sometimes possible to help hives / colonies of the ‘domesticated’ honeybee suffering from parasites / disease, ‘helping’ wild populations is a much more difficult proposition. Read more...

Mistletoe berries

Mistletoe

by Chris, 12 December, 2014, 1 comments

Three evergreen plants come to mind at this time of year - Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe. Holly and Ivy are 'immortalised' in "The Holly and the Ivy" , a traditional Christmas carol. Both holly and ivy have been part of church decoration since the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries (as recorded in churchwardens’ accounts). Mistletoe, (also known as “the golden bough” or Viscum album), is well known for its connection to Christmas, in particular for the custom of “kissing underneath the mistletoe”. Mistletoe associations go way back and there are many customs and myths surrounding the plant. For example, Druids greatly revered it, believing that it held the soul of the host tree. It would be cut from sacred oak trees with a golden sickle. It was used in folk / herbal medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Now, like many plants, mistletoe is being investigated for its phytochemicals and possible medical uses. Read more...

Himalayan Balsam - nemesis is nigh ?

Himalayan Balsam – nemesis is nigh ?

by Chris, 26 September, 2014, 8 comments

Himalayan Balsam (or Impatiens glandulifera) is a not unattractive plant; it was introduced as a garden plant to the U.K sometime in the mid-nineteenth century. It is an annual plant and probably the tallest annual in the country - growing to heights of six foot. The flowers are somewhat variable in colour from a striking pink / purple to almost white. The shape has been likened to a policeman's helmet - hence it is sometimes known by that name. It flowers from June right through to October - which is quite late in the year; i.e. still producing seeds long after most other annuals. The black seeds form in capsules - which open explosively when mature, dispersing the seeds. Read more...

Signal Crayfish

Signal Crayfish

by Lewis, 2 March, 2012, 2 comments

Plants and animals from different parts of the world are being ‘mixed’ up as worldwide travel by train, boat and plane increases year by year. The woodlands' blog has reported on a number of plants and animals that are regarded as ‘aliens’ or invasive species, for example, the 'killer shrimp'. Sometimes the ‘concern’ proves to be unfounded, but the arrival of various pathogens can be problematical for 'native species'. At some point back in the 1970’s, the North American signal crayfish arrived in the U.K. Since that time it has spread through various river systems, particularly in South and South East England, at the rate of 2 km per year (approx.). Its spread may have been assisted by damp fishing gear. It would seem that the signal crayfish is out-competing the native white clawed crayfish (that is, native to Europe, including England, Wales and Ireland – but not Scotland). Read more...

Horse chestnut leaf miner moth

Horse chestnut leaf miner moth

by Chris, 24 June, 2011, 7 comments

The ‘progress’ of the horse chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella) has been reported in the blog from summer 2006 to more recently, when a national survey was under way. This small, but highly efficient parasitic moth was first ‘discovered’ in trees bordering Lake Ohrid in Macedonia in the mid-Eighties. It was later described as species new to Europe, and since that time has managed to spread through almost all of Europe. Read more...

Save the Mistletoe !

Save the Mistletoe !

by Lewis, 14 December, 2010, 2 comments

Mistletoe, one of the time-honoured symbols of Christmas is under threat! For many years, the ‘heartlands’ for mistletoe collection have been the cider counties – such as Somerset, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. However, many of the orchards in these areas have declined or have been lost over the last 50 / 60 years. It is possible that Mistletoe could become a rarity in our countryside. Read more...

Sudden Oak Death

Sudden Oak Death

by Chris, 30 July, 2010, 12 comments

Sudden Oak Death is in the news. A number of the national and regional news programmes have recently carried reports of the felling of larch trees in the South West. Read more...

Greenfinches

Greenfinches

by Chris, 22 May, 2010, 0 comments

Greenfinches, parasites, heat islands and the BTO nesting survey. Greenfinches are being killed by a protozoan parasite – Trichomonas. The parasite causes swelling of the throat by infecting the crop and gullet, so the the birds cannot eat. It has been suggested that as many as 500,000 greenfinches have been killed by this parasite. Read more...

Wild Flower Guide

Badger

Read our guide to wild flowers of woodland and hedgerow

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