Before the introduction of modern chemical weedkillers, crops would have areas of flowering weeds which would attract insects as a source of pollen and nectar. A crop full of green weeds is a poor crop to harvest and store, therefore today’s farmers ensure their fields are weed free by an application of herbicide. Fortunately, through grants from Defra it is possible to plant selective areas of wildflowers to recreate the habitat insects need to survive.

An area of field at Hunting Hall has been sown with this special mixture of grasses and flower seeds that will attract insects. Ringlets and meadow brown butterflies are common in the long grasses and may well lay their eggs on red fescue grass, one of their caterpillars’ food plants.

The six-spot burnet moth is distinctive with bright carmine-red spots on black wings. Its caterpillars feed on short yellow birds-foot trefoil. Bumble bees and honey bees also rely on nectar rich legumes, especially red clover.

Each autumn this wild area is cut down to prevent grass from choking the wild flowers.