Syrphus ribesii Aphid predator This insect is a Dipteran ("relative" of flies) and belongs to the family of Syrphidae. Like most Syrphidae, it has a yellow and black coloration to mimic more dangerous insects, such as wasps, discouraging predators. It is a common insect in the countryside and forests; adults feed on nectar and lay their eggs near aphid colonies. When the eggs hatch, the larvae voraciously feed on aphids with their sucking mouthparts. During the larval stage, they can consume up to 1,000 aphids! Did you know? Like other Syrphidae, Syrphus ribesii is an aerial acrobat: it can move [...]

Did you know that even the smallest green spaces can make a difference for pollinating insects? Schoolyards Parks and gardens Urban gardens Flower beds and roundabouts All of these spaces have the potential to become oases for pollinators! The secret? Variety beats quantity! Plant different flowers Choose plants that bloom in different seasons Vary the colors and sizes of flowers Even a simple windowsill can become a refuge for these precious allies of nature. LIFE Programme #LIFEprogramme #LIFEproject #EUpollinators #Natura2000 #pollinators #bees Photo Pixabay Università Ca' Foscari Venezia United Nations Biodiversity LIFE Greenchange LIFE 4 Pollinators Butterfly Conservation Bumblebee Conservation [...]

Purple Willow The purple willow (Salix purpurea, family Salicaceae) is a shrub that grows 3-4 meters tall. It thrives along rivers and streams, and can even grow in the damp sands of riverbeds that are periodically flooded. It is found from lowlands up to altitudes of 1800 meters. Its branches are long and slender, while the leaves are lance-shaped and measure 4-12 cm in length. It can easily be confused with other willow species, with which it often shares its habitat. The flowers are inconspicuous, grouped in catkins, and appear in early spring. They are one of the first sources [...]

Buff-tailed Bumblebee Pollinating with a Buzz The Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) is a hymenopteran insect of the Apidae family. It is one of the most common bumblebee species in Europe. The body is black and covered in hair with two yellow stripes; it has two pairs of wings and flies with a characteristic buzzing sound. Only the females have stingers and can sting multiple times, though they are rarely aggressive. Since males have very similar colors, predators, just to be safe, tend to stay away from both sexes... Bumblebees collect nectar and pollen from flowers ; many types of plants [...]

#Greeninfrastructure, what is it? Green Infrastructure is a network of natural and semi-natural areas designed and managed to deliver a wide range of #ecosystemservices such as water purification, air quality, space for recreation and climate mitigation and adaptation. #LIFEprogramme #LIFEproject #EUPollinators LIFE Programme EU Environment EU Climate Action Ecosystem Services Partnership Rewilding Europe Università Ca' Foscari Venezia Little Green Space Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network - BES-Net