Slugs destroy our lettuce, and moths nibble through our clothes. It’s a long shot that they’ll be crowned invertebrate of the year, but hold on a moment…
This publication has a long tradition of rooting for the little guy, and it appears that the widespread distaste for slugs and moths is actually quite exaggerated.
Starting with slugs: The Royal Horticultural Society has historically advised on how to eliminate these slimy creatures. But more recently, they’ve encouraged gardeners to view slugs and snails as allies rather than pests.
Dr Hayley Jones from the society explains that out of about 150 slug and snail species in the UK, only nine are troublesome for gardens. Most actually do good by cleaning up dead plants, fungi, and even carrion, which recycles nutrients back into the soil. Plus, they provide food for wildlife we love like frogs and ground beetles. So embracing these molluscs actually enriches our gardens’ ecosystems.
Now, the charity suggests that rather than harming these creatures with traps or toxins, gardeners should consider better alternatives like mulch or planting slug-favoured plants near the ones we want to protect.
Moving on to moths, people usually notice them when they find holes in their clothing or, as I’ve experienced, in their carpets. But moths are actually busy pollinating at night. Only a few moth species cause such damage. Other species play a critical role in the environment, with their furry bodies carrying pollen from one plant to another.
Paul Hetherington from the Buglife charity notes that moths account for a significant portion of pollination. They’re drawn to white flowers, unlike bees that prefer purple. Light pollution, unfortunately, has severely affected their numbers and pollination activities. Moths include remarkable species like the hummingbird hawk-moth and the day-flying cinnabar moth.
Despite the damage to my carpet, I can appreciate the unique charm of these insects, like the six-spot burnet moth with its striking appearance.
