In the UK most people live in urban and suburban areas, which cover a significant proportion of the land area of the country. Consequently, gardens make a vital contribution to biodiversity, providing a haven for many animals and plants that are rapidly declining in intensively farmed areas.
Insects are by far the most diverse and ecologically important group of animals in these artificial habitats, with hundreds of species to be found in almost every garden. In spite of what you might think, fewer than one in two hundred are considered to be potential pests. In this guide we pick out some of the insects that you are likely to see, share some of the amazing facts that entomologists have uncovered about them, and suggest ways that you can help maintain insect biodiversity in your garden.