{"id":2345,"date":"2020-01-22T13:35:34","date_gmt":"2020-01-22T12:35:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/merianin.de\/?page_id=2345"},"modified":"2023-09-15T09:28:50","modified_gmt":"2023-09-15T07:28:50","slug":"mitmachen","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/merianin.de\/en\/home\/mitmachen\/","title":{"rendered":"Join in!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t
\n \n Now It's Your Turn! <\/span>\n \t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tTIPS FOR INSECT-FRIENDLY OASES\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Join us and create a habitat for our butterflies and other insects. The insects are not only beautiful, but also fulfil an important function, such as pollinating plants.<\/p>\n

You only have a small balcony or windowsill?<\/strong><\/p>\n

That doesn\u2019t matter. Even a few pots of herbs already provide food.<\/p>\n

You have a small (front) garden?<\/strong><\/p>\n

That's even better, of course. Throw out the stones and give yourself and our insects a treat - flowering plants. Put native plants between your beautiful cultivated shrubs with their double flowers. Native plants don't take much work because they are adapted to our conditions. Plus, they are often more digestible for our butterflies. Packets of seeds can also be purchased at the offices and stores of the BUND Naturschutz.<\/p>\n

Your neighbours think the \"weeds\" in your garden are messy?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Explain to them that such flower beds are very important for insects. Perhaps your neighbours have also already heard about insects dying out worldwide. Mrs. L\u00f6lh\u00f6ffel has also had a sign designed especially for uncomprehending neighbours, which you can stick into your flower bed and which proclaims: This bed is something very special. It is a Merianin bed and was planted for our butterflies.<\/p>\n

You can find more information in our brochure Merianin 2018+: New habitat for insects<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

We are search-
ing for<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n \n

Housing shortage for insects<\/strong>
\nand their family planning!<\/strong><\/p>\n

WE ARE SEARCHING FOR<\/strong><\/p>\n

untidy corners in gardens
\nand open spaces \u2013 small or large \u2013
\nas asylums for insect offspring
\nwith plants as food for caterpillars,
\nsand pits for mining bees,
\nbrushwood piles + deadwood piles
\n+ piled up stones
\nfor other bees + moths + beetles.<\/p>\n

All nursery asylums are helpful!<\/p>\n

Merian & her team<\/em><\/p>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n\t
\n \n Good planning helps at the beginning <\/span>\n \t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tA QUESTIONNAIRE AND RECOMMENDATIONS\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Due to rapid and disastrous climate change, in recent years it has become increasingly difficult to grow new flower meadows. On one hand, periods of drought prevent the seeds from germinating. On the other hand, storms that are often only short but too violent can wash away a great deal of soil together with germinating seeds.<\/p>\n

A thorough evaluation of areas \u2013 such as monotonous green spaces or wasteland \u2013 which you wish to revitalise as flowering areas is therefore absolutely necessary. Our questionnaire, which you can download and fill in, is meant to help you with this.<\/p>\n

Tips for flower meadows<\/strong><\/p>\n

Insect-friendly plants grow well in soil that is poor in nutrients. If necessary, sand should be mixed into the soil. In a quiet corner of the garden, plant an appropriate selection of garden plants and wild plants. Nibbled leaves will not do any harm there, but show that insects live there that are now often threatened by extinction.<\/p>\n

Recommendations for your environment<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you cannot transform your own spaces, we recommend that you should nonetheless start taking action in your neighbourhood. This website contains many suggestions on how you can motivate the owner of the apartment building where you live or the management of the company where you work to transform outdoor spaces from dull lawns into colourful flowering areas. Get involved when it comes to public spaces, the verges of tram lines and sports facilities, school playgrounds, kindergartens!<\/p>\n

Many ideal sites for small insect and butterfly gardens are still unused. Even undemanding wildflowers and herbs in pots and containers on sealed surfaces and balconies are attractive for butterflies. Water tanks at the bottom of the containers significantly reduce the work required for watering. Thus, many bleak corners can still be revitalised by simple shrubs or summer flowers being sown.<\/p>\n

Surviving in winter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some moths overwinter in cellars or attics, but also outdoors, e.g., in walls covered in dense ivy or other climbing plants on the house wall. If possible, build up piles of stones and brushwood for overwintering in a quiet spot in the garden.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\tPDF questionnaire to download and fill in to support planning<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\t
\n \n Host Plants = Forage Plants <\/span>\n \t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tEDIBLE NURSERY FOR CATERPILLARS\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Nettle<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Red Currant<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

In general, for butterflies to settle anywhere at all, they need \"host plants\" on which they can lay their eggs. When the caterpillars have hatched, these become their \"food plants\" on which they pupate. Sometimes they are so voracious that only thin stems remain, but as compensation for this small loss, the new butterflies unfold their wings.<\/p>\n

Many species have specialized.<\/p>\n

\"Delicious\" food plants for butterflies:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gro\u00dfe Brennnessel (Urtica dioica<\/em>) \u2013 Tagpfauenauge (Aglais io<\/em>)
\r\nKleine Brennnessel (Urtica urens<\/em>) \u2013 Kleiner Fuchs (Aglais urticae<\/em>)
\r\nBrombeere (Rubus fruticosus<\/em>) \u2013 Gr\u00fcner Zipfelfalter (Callophrys rubi<\/em>)
\r\nWilde M\u00f6hre (Daucus carota<\/em>) \u2013 Schwalbenschwanz (Papilio machaon<\/em>)
\r\nStockrose (Alcea rosea<\/em>) \u2013 Malven-Dickkopffalter (Carcharodus alceae<\/em>)
\r\nRotklee (Trifolium pratense<\/em>) \u2013 Rotklee-Bl\u00e4uling (Polyommatus semiargus<\/em>)<\/p>\n

In larger gardens and open spaces<\/strong><\/p>\n

alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus<\/em>) \u2013 holly blue butterfly (Celastrina argiolus<\/em>)
\nred currant (Ribes rubrum<\/em>) \u2013 comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album<\/em>)
\nhawthorn species (Crataegus spec.<\/em>) \u2013 black-veined white butterfly (Aporia crataegi<\/em>)<\/p>\n

Wild hedges, e.g., with sloes, are visited by more than 120 butterfly species.
\nSome of these \"host and forage plants\" are presented here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n\t
\n \n Nectar Plants = Food Resource <\/span>\n \t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tABSOLUTELY VITAL FOR BEES, BUTTERFLIES ETC.\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Most butterflies live on nectar from flowers. Colourful flower meadows, native wild plants and herbs are ideal.<\/p>\n

Tip: Only simple, single flowers are suitable. Large, showy, exotic flowers attract very few.<\/p>\n

Bees have a noticeably shorter sucker proboscis than butterflies. Flowers with flatter calyxes should therefore also be planted for them. If possible, spread flowering periods over the whole summer, including early spring-flowering plants. Butterflies only survive in areas free of poisons and pesticides. Choose a very sunny spot for the butterfly bed.<\/p>\n

Tempting nectar plants<\/strong><\/p>\n

Besenginster (Cytisus scoparius<\/em>)
\r\nNickende Distel (Carduus nutans<\/em>)
\r\nBl\u00fchender Efeu (Hedera helix<\/em>)
\r\nGro\u00dfe Fetthenne (Hylotelephium telephium<\/em>)
\r\nK\u00f6nigskerzen-Arten (Verbascum spec.<\/em>)
\r\nLavendel (Lavandula angustifolia<\/em>)
\r\nDuftveilchen (Viola odorata<\/em>)
\r\nWilde Malve (Malva sylvestris<\/em>)
\r\nKelch-Steinkraut (Alyssum alyssoides<\/em>)
\r\nThymian (Thymus vulgaris<\/em>)
\r\nWasserdost (Eupatorium cannabinum<\/em>)
\r\nSchlehdorn (Prunus spinosa<\/em>)
\r\nEchtes Labkraut (Galium verum<\/em>)
\r\nOregano (Origanum vulgare<\/em>)
\r\nKart\u00e4usernelke (Dianthus carthusianorum<\/em>)
\r\nEchtes Johanniskraut (Hypericum perforatum<\/em>)<\/p>\n

A popular shrub is the Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii<\/em>). However, amongst the shrubs you plant you should also plan for native species that do not, like this one, only provide food in summer.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Lady's bedstraw<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n\n\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Violet<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n\t
\n \n How to Organise Themed Events <\/span>\n \t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tMaking Gardens and Green Spaces More Insect-Friendly\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

\u201cEach flower counts.\u201d This slogan brings together members of the public to exchange ideas and plan activities. Insects, bees and butterflies \u2013 we all are well aware that a lack of these humming and buzzing creatures as well as the absence of wild flowers indicate a threatening, devastating imbalance in our natural environment. Information events are a great way of motivating citizens to become active and involved.<\/p>\n

Hints on how to organise information events<\/strong><\/p>\n