Great Dixter hosts insect experts for special study day event

The free event will see them talk about how to identify pollinator friendly garden plants, bumbles and the recent reintroduction of the previously extinct short-haired bumblebee to the Rye area.

Another subject for discussion will be ‘Insect Invasions in the South East since 1066’.

The free event is aimed at everyone who is concerned with maintaining sufficient populations of pollinating insects and wants to find out more.

It will be held in the Dixter Farm Education Room between 10am – 1pm. There will be supervised children’s activities and an opportunity to have a look at moths from close-up.

Fergus Garrett, Head Gardener, said: “Without pollinators there wouldn’t be a garden at Great Dixter. “Biodiversity is key to our future and we all have a responsibility to our environment not only for our own sake but for future generations to come.”

Great Dixter undertakes a monthly bumblebee survey between April and October with an encouraging eight species found, including the rarer Bombus ruderatus.

The weekend’s speakers are the UK’s only professor of apiculture, Professor Francis Ratnieks from Sussex University, Dr Nikki Gammans from the Bumble Conservation Trust at Stirling University and Dr. John Badmin, Regional Secretary of the Royal Entomological Society.

Places are limited. To book now email [email protected] or telephone Catherine Haydock on 01797 254046.

The gardens were established by gardening writer Christopher Lloyd and are maintained as a Trust.