Natural gardening in July: Five important insects and their way of life

Key points at a glance

• Many insect species, such as the broad-banded furrow bee (Lasioglossum leucozonium), are only a few millimetres long and therefore easily overlooked.
• Open patches of bare earth are essential for ground-nesting wild bees like the tiny mining bee (Andrena minutula).
• Nocturnal species like the shuttle-shaped dart (Agrotis puta) require a garden free from artificial light sources.
• Cuckoo bees like the variegated cuckoo bee (Epeolus variegatus) indicate that there are stable populations of their host bees present.

July is a phase of intense biological activity in the natural garden, though it often escapes our direct notice. While we tend to focus on conspicuous flower visitors, a large part of the ecological work happens behind the scenes. Many insects are specialised inhabitants of the smallest niches, which can only be supported through careful observation and the preservation of nature-friendly structures in the garden.

Diversity in the garden is not a coincidence, but the result of small-scale habitat structures. A shuttle-shaped dart (Agrotis puta) requires different resources to a mountain paper wasp (Polistes biglumis). By providing habitats for ground-nesters and avoiding chemical substances, you create the foundation for a stable ecosystem in which pollinators and beneficial insects can fulfil their natural functions.

Small players at a glance

The following table shows insect species that are active in July and explains their ecological benefit.

Recommended actions for July

1. Preserve open patches of soil: Avoid covering every inch with mulch or planting. Many wild bee species, such as the tiny mining bee (Andrena minutula), need clear earth surfaces to build their nesting burrows.
2. Avoid light pollution: Consistently switch off garden lighting at night. Artificial light confuses nocturnal moths like the shuttle-shaped dart (Agrotis puta) in their flight and mating behaviour.
3. Encourage natural pest control: The mountain paper wasp (Polistes biglumis) is an important hunter. Allow small populations of caterpillars to remain to ensure a food supply for their offspring.
4. Protect cuckoo bees: If you spot the variegated cuckoo bee (Epeolus variegatus), this is a positive indicator that there is a healthy supply of host bee nests in the ground. Protect these areas from soil compaction.
5. Maintain floral diversity: Avoid pesticides entirely. Even approved products can disrupt the delicate sensory systems of tiny insects or harm them directly.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I never see some insects in the garden?

Many species are only a few millimetres long, are nocturnal, or are so cryptically coloured that they are barely perceptible within the vegetation.

What makes the variegated cuckoo bee a 'cuckoo' bee?

It does not build its own nest, but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other wild bee species, whose larvae then serve as hosts.