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More insects expected this autumn More spiders expected this autumn
(1 day later)
Conservationists say there could be more spiders and daddy longlegs than usual this autumn because of favourable breeding conditions.Conservationists say there could be more spiders and daddy longlegs than usual this autumn because of favourable breeding conditions.
Researchers at insect charity, Buglife, said last year's wet autumn meant the larvae of daddy longlegs had plenty of decaying plant matter to eat.Researchers at insect charity, Buglife, said last year's wet autumn meant the larvae of daddy longlegs had plenty of decaying plant matter to eat.
Experts also said this year's temperate summer had been good for spiders.Experts also said this year's temperate summer had been good for spiders.
The charity says it will provide a good boost for declining insect populations and benefit other wildlife.The charity says it will provide a good boost for declining insect populations and benefit other wildlife.
Matt Shardlow, chief executive of Buglife, said there had been a decline in the numbers of some species but 2009 could see the rate slowing down.Matt Shardlow, chief executive of Buglife, said there had been a decline in the numbers of some species but 2009 could see the rate slowing down.
British biodiversityBritish biodiversity
Last year's damp autumn was good for daddy longlegs larvae or crane flies, which live just below the ground's surface.Last year's damp autumn was good for daddy longlegs larvae or crane flies, which live just below the ground's surface.
Although the population is in general decline, Mr Shardlow said a "good number of eggs" had been laid and they should provide a boost to the number of daddy longlegs scuttling about in Britain's homes and gardens this autumn.Although the population is in general decline, Mr Shardlow said a "good number of eggs" had been laid and they should provide a boost to the number of daddy longlegs scuttling about in Britain's homes and gardens this autumn.
Daddy longlegs are also known as crane fliesDaddy longlegs are also known as crane flies
He said crane fly larvae helped keep the soil clean and the adults were food for birds and animals. He said crane fly larvae helped keep the soil clean and the adults were food for birds and other animals.
Mr Shardlow said: "They are very important for biodiversity, without which we would not last very long.Mr Shardlow said: "They are very important for biodiversity, without which we would not last very long.
"The last few years have been very bad for British biodiversity, with low numbers of moths, spiders and crane flies.""The last few years have been very bad for British biodiversity, with low numbers of moths, spiders and crane flies."
He said the lack of dramatic weather this summer would help spiders, which kept other bugs at bay. He said the lack of dramatic weather this summer would help spiders, which keep other bugs at bay.
"Spiders are predators and if it weren't for spiders, we would be overrun with flies and other pests which make life unbearable." "A house spider can eat 20 flies a year. They control the populations of other insects, and themselves provide food for a host of other wildlife.
"If we do have a good year for spiders in general, then it will just slow many years of alarming decline".
'Plentiful supply''Plentiful supply'
John Partridge, secretary of British Arachnological Society, said Buglife's predictions were good news for spider populations and bug enthusiasts, but not for those who had a fear of the creepy crawlies.John Partridge, secretary of British Arachnological Society, said Buglife's predictions were good news for spider populations and bug enthusiasts, but not for those who had a fear of the creepy crawlies.
It's debatable whether some of our resident insect-eating birds would be able to survive the winter without a plentiful supply of spiders RSPB It's debatable whether some of our resident insect-eating birds would be able to survive the winter without a plentiful supply of spiders RSPB class="" href="/2/hi/talking_point/8274656.stm">See readers' best spider snaps here
"It is this time of year that people become more aware of them - it is the silly season for spiders. The garden spiders are getting fatter for laying eggs and bundles of tiny spiders start hatching," he said."It is this time of year that people become more aware of them - it is the silly season for spiders. The garden spiders are getting fatter for laying eggs and bundles of tiny spiders start hatching," he said.
"Those who don't like them, just leave them alone and they will leave you alone. But if you can, get up close and have a look at how beautifully coloured they are.""Those who don't like them, just leave them alone and they will leave you alone. But if you can, get up close and have a look at how beautifully coloured they are."
He said there are some 600 species of spider in Britain and it was important to remember the service they provided.He said there are some 600 species of spider in Britain and it was important to remember the service they provided.
Ian Dawson, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), said they were an important foodstuff.Ian Dawson, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), said they were an important foodstuff.
"It's debatable whether some of our resident insect-eating birds, like the wren, would be able to survive the winter without a plentiful supply of spiders in leaf litter and under shrubbery," he said."It's debatable whether some of our resident insect-eating birds, like the wren, would be able to survive the winter without a plentiful supply of spiders in leaf litter and under shrubbery," he said.