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A Garden of Incredible Insects with Erica McAlister
Join Erica McAlister, one of the UK’s most passionate, bug-crazy experts on an insect tour of our rewilded Walled Garden. Learn about the myriad pollinators beyond the well-known honeybees, bumblebees and butterflies; the heroic insect predators that control aphids and other pests; and Erica’s speciality, flies – perhaps our most maligned and underestimated insects that play a vital role in the garden as decomposers, soil fertilisers, predators, fungivores and pollinators. You’ll never look at flies the same way again!
You’ll gain insights into the extraordinary life cycles of insects, including the often-overlooked larval, feeding stage – for many species the longest and most important part of their lives. More than 80% of insect species undergo complete metamorphosis. Understanding these transformations can help us design our gardens to provide different habitats – all the nooks and crannies, the dank, wet margins, broken pots and piles of wood – that can help insects thrive.
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Erica McAlister is Principal curator at the Natural History Museum, presenter and author, including the award winning Secret Life of Flies and her latest Metamorphosis – how insects are changing our world.
PLEASE NOTE: The garden visits take place next to Knepp Castle in the Middle Block of the rewilding project – a different place to all other safaris. Please do not go to the campsite/safari car park, but follow the directions to the Walled Garden on your pre-visit email.
10am-12pm
£75 per person
To arrange a bespoke garden tour led by one of our gardeners, email zoet@knepp.co.uk.
Important information
- Please see our Pre-Visit Information which will help prepare you for your safari
- All guests must be over 12yrs. We cannot accommodate unaccompanied guests under 18yrs
- We regret we cannot offer date changes once your booking is made, please refer to section 15 of our T&Cs for refunds
- We cannot guarantee the great British weather, or that you will see your target species
- Nature is unpredictable! However we’re confident you’ll enjoy your experience with us, come rain or shine, and there’s always plenty of wildlife to see