It is a very warm year and this autumn also has an impact on nature. This way, the trees stay green longer and the notorious hay fever plant, Alyssum ambrosia, has more time to reproduce.
“The changes in nature are amazing,” says biologist Arnold van Vliet from Wageningen University and Research.
Van Vliet also points out that some insects remain active longer. “While biking after work, I saw a hornet’s nest that was still boiling. Even though it’s early October. Usually the new queens are already mature, looking for a place to hibernate.”
The Butterfly Foundation recently reported that some butterfly species reproduce at a greater rate each year. Because it’s warm, they have time for an extra generation.
“Municipalities must adapt to the situation”
“It can become a problem if there’s not enough food for all these insects,” Van Vliet says. Roadsides are often mowed in preparation for fall and winter. Then insects can no longer find flowers and nectar and there are fewer refuges. “Municipalities should leave more places uncultivated after it stays warm longer,” says the biologist.
There’s another problem, according to Van Vliet: As long as it stays warm, aphids fly longer. “While they spread all kinds of plant viruses, including viruses that potatoes are susceptible to.” Aphids are monitored by the Dutch General Inspectorate until August, but “with climate change, this will have to be monitored for a longer period.”
0:47French wine harvest suffers from extreme weather: ‘Everything can disappear in one night’
“Professional web ninja. Certified gamer. Avid zombie geek. Hipster-friendly baconaholic.”