Have you followed our advice on how to position your insect hotel? Perfect! Now it’s time to observe. Your hotel is not just a decorative object, it’s a real miniature Noah’s Ark.
But who are these tenants moving in with you? Here are the four main residents you can expect to see.
1. Solitary bees (the stars of the hotel) These are the most common tenants of bamboo or hollowed-out wooden tubes.
Who are they? Unlike honey bees, they live alone (Osmia bees, Megachile bees). They do not defend a hive, so they do not sting.
Their role: They are outstanding pollinators for your fruit trees.
Signs of their presence: If the end of a tube is blocked by soil or leaves, you’re in luck! A larva is growing inside.
2. Ladybirds (The guardians) They prefer compartments filled with pine cones or wood shavings.
Their role: They are there to devour aphids. They are the ultimate natural insecticide.
Did you know? They mainly use the hotel to spend the winter in the warmth (diapause).
3. Lacewings (Golden-eyed damselflies) Recognisable by their large transparent green wings, they like red slotted boxes (the colour attracts them) filled with straw.
Their role: Their larvae are real ‘aphid lions’.
4. Butterflies Some species (such as the peacock butterfly) hibernate in their adult form. They need vertical slits that are wide enough for them to slip inside without damaging their wings.
To learn more: To learn how to accurately identify each species, we recommend the educational fact sheets from the Office for Insects and their Environment.
Conclusion: Each compartment of your BetterflyBox hotel is designed for a specific species. By installing it, you are promoting rich and balanced biodiversity.