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Photo Credit: Terry & Mirelle Bane
Bug Bunkers
What is this project about?
Have you ever wondered where insects go over Winter? Do they all hibernate? How can adults be ready to appear as soon as the sun comes out in Spring?
There are several answers to the above questions. Many insects hibernate over Winter (for insects this is called 'diapause'), and lots of insects remain active using leaf litter for insulation and shelter! It is very common for gardens to be kept clear of the shelter that insects need over the colder months, and so the Buzz Club wants to find out whether we can create a bug hotel ('a Bug Bunker'') that effectively provides this.
How can you help?
Last year, we ran the 'Ladybird Local' project in which we investigated the effectiveness of hotels in supporting overwintering ladybirds. The results showed that they are rarely used by ladybirds, however one of our designs proved to be a very effective bug hotel for a wide range of ground dwelling insects and other invertebrates e.g. snails, spiders.
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This year, the Buzz Club would like to investigate the uses of this hotel further. We would like to find out what range of invertebrates occupy this hotel, and whether it can be used as an effective surveying tool.
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We want to find out:
1)What bugs can be found in this hotel throughout winter?
2)Does the design allow for an easy survey?
3)Does the location of the hotel change the occupancy?
What do you get out of it?
By taking part in this project, you will be helping us learn what bugs do throughout winter, and how we can best support them.​
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This project will be a great way to get you acquainted with the critters active throughout the colder months, and will help you stay close to nature in winter.
Extra Guidance and Resources
Issy, the Project Lead, has made a video on how to make your Bug Bunker. In the video it is referred to as the 'Layered Local'. This was it's name in the 2023 project 'Ladybird Locals' which we are adapting this year into 'Bug Bunkers'. Ignore this change, and build away!
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Below is our Bug Bunkers ID Guide! As a project participant we will be asking you to ID your hotel residents to species. We will be sending you fun facts about the bugs you may find as well. Join this project to learn all about our UK winter bugs!