Alison Roberts reports on Wharfedale Naturalists Webinar: ‘Bugs Britannica’ with George McGavin

WE were incredibly fortunate to welcome George McGavin, renowned academic, entomologist, broadcaster and author, to speak to members of Wharfedale Naturalists on February 23. George has addressed the society in person previously, this time it was via a Zoom Webinar from his home in Berkshire.

George studied Zoology at Edinburgh University, followed by 25 years as an academic at Oxford University. A career in the media followed including regular appearances on The One Show and contributions to many wildlife programmes. He travelled to many remote parts of the world to study, film and enjoy the huge spectrum of global entomology. But it was during George’s time at Oxford that he made an interesting chance discovery. Whilst trying to engage two slightly unenthusiastic students he suggested that they take a piece of bark from Wytham Woods, back to the laboratory to find out what it had to offer. An investigation by the two students resulted in a Petri dish of assorted bugs which rather surprisingly, since this is one of the most researched pieces of woodland in the world, included a hitherto unknown species of wingless midge. George fortunately spotted this just as the students were about to tip the contents of the dish down the sink!

George’s absolute fascination with the insect world was encapsulated by his explanation of the incredible lifecycle of The Oil Beetle. The Oil Beetle is able to secrete a toxic oil which prevents birds and other insects eating it. The female produces a pheromone which attracts the male. The female then drags the male round for a couple of hours so that eggs that are laid are fertilised. When larvae emerge they crawl up the stems and into flowers where they lie in wait for a solitary mining bee on which they hitch a ride to the bee’s nest which is a well stocked underground pantry of pollen. The larvae have a feast, pupate to adults, emerge from the bee’s nest and the whole cycle starts again. But, as we know, things are not looking too optimistic environmentally. The over use of pesticides (including the neonicotinoids in agriculture) are contributing to a dramatic fall in the insect population which form the foundation of the entire pyramid of life. We all need to consider our actions with regard to the environment and where possible campaign for government and local policy change.

So how can we help? At a local and fairly simple level we could encourage the young to develop an interest in nature by purchasing a simple x10 hand lens and looking for insects while outside. Never use pesticides, encourage natural predators, make a pond if only a small one, leave large weedy areas and some dead wood lying around in the garden. Compost waste, plant insect friendly flowers and spread the word. A real prod to think about the impact on the environment in everything we do. If you would like to learn more, George recommended “Insects of Britain and Ireland a comprehensive guide” by Paul Brock. So, book, hand lens and enthusiasm, what are you waiting for?

The next full presentation on webinar will be on April 6th when Ann Riley will give the second part of her presentation on Nature in Lockdown. On March 9 recorders reports on Birds and Butterflies; March 23 is the WNS AGM followed by a talk on effective recording.