We began establishing wildflower meadows on campus in early 2017 with the objective of improving conditions for beetles, bees, butterflies, and other insects. They are mowed only one to three times a year, and about 30 percent is left unmown. These areas provide a safe haven for insects. The vegetation remains intact through the winter so that larvae and pupae can survive the cold season. The meadows must be mowed once per year to prevent the growth of woody plants.

From 2019, we started regularly recording the plants and insects on the meadows and quickly discovered the biodiversity and the marked difference to intensively mowed lawns. Some of the plants and insects found here are listed on the Red List of Threatened Species. The results are also published at inuversumm.de.

Plants

Wildflower meadows are generally known for their high proportion of perennial flowering plants and grasses and are subject to extensive management (mowing). As a result of the many different plant species, these meadows have a long flowering period spanning from spring to fall, providing a wide range of food for wildlife. The meadows do not have a firm turf and should not be walked on too often. They are diverse habitats that invite observation and discovery. Several locations on campus have been established as wildflower meadows, e.g. at the Biology building, behind the Andreas Pfitzmann Building, and in the Bergstraße 69 property.

© F. Müller, TUD

Centaurea oxylepis

Centaurea oxylepis is a real specialty, because it’s discovery is unique in Germany. It was discovered on the meadow next to the Biology building by Dr. Frank Müller while he was studying the vegetation. The meadow was planted over 20 years ago and now has a rich biodiversity with over 120 species of ferns and seed plants recorded.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Meadow sage

Meadow sage (Salvia pratensis) grows on dry, sunny and warm flowering areas and is classified as category 3 (endangered) on the Saxony Red List. It is a typical representative of the sage (Lamiaceae) family. Pollinators are primarily bumblebees, which reach the nectar via the typical sage pollinating mechanism. This little spectacle is worth a second look.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Carthusian pink

Dianthus carthusianorum, commonly known as Carthusian pink, is part of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae). In most cases, only butterflies can reach its deeply hidden nectar. Carthusian pink can be found in dry and sunny areas of meadows. It is in category 3 (endangered) on the Saxony Red List.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Common bird's-foot trefoil

The bright yellow bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) belongs to the pea family (Fabaceae), and is an important food source for many butterfly caterpillars. It prefers to grow in warm and nutrient-rich locations and flowers from May to September. Due to its long flowering period and fairly undemanding habitat requirements, it can often be found in meadows and along roadsides.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

European columbine

European columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) appears on the edges of meadows in early summer with its purple drooping flowers, and can also be seen in woodland areas. The flowers are pollinated by insects with a sufficiently long proboscis, especially bumblebees. Large numbers can be found on the campus in the meadows at Bergstrasse 69.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Wild teasel

The wild teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) can grow up to 1.50 meters high and is easily recognized by its head-shaped flowers with long, arching bracts. The flowers are heavily visited by insects; wasps, bumblebees, bees and hoverflies are important pollinators. After rainfall, water collects in the stem leaves, which is used by birds, for example.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Hare's-foot clover

In addition to white clover and red clover, there are also other types of clover such as hare's-foot clover (Trifolium arvense). The main pollinators are bees and bumblebees. Less common pollinators include butterflies, sand wasps and flies. Roadsides, fallow land and sandy fields are typical habitats for the hare's-foot clover, whose flowers have a silvery sheen and reflect sunlight very well.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Common toadflax

The common toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) with its upright, butter-yellow and orange clusters of flowers is often found on loose, stony or sandy soils. The flowers provide food for bees and bumblebees. The pollen is positioned on the insect's back as it crawls into the flower, and they receive a portion of nectar as a reward.

Insects

Wildflower meadows consist of three tiers that provide important habitats for various wildlife. The upper layer of flowers provide insects such as beetles, bees, butterflies, hoverflies, grasshoppers and bugs with a habitat and a variety of food sources. The middle grass and herb layer is dominated by species that feed on leaves and plant stems. This includes various butterfly caterpillars and fly larvae, spiders, leaf beetles and weevils. Woodlice, mites, ground beetles and ants can be found in the lower litter layer. These are species that feed on root and plant remains, gnawing and decomposing them in the process.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Six-spot burnet

The six-spot burnet (Zygaena filipendulae) is also known as “Blutströpfchen” (blood droplets) in German due to its six red spots on each fore wing. The contrasting colors signal to predators that the species is poisonous. Caterpillar food plants include bird's-foot trefoils (Lotus corniculatus) and coronilla. The moth often perches on grasses, as in the picture.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Six-belted clearwing

The six-belted clearwing (Bembecia ichneumoniformis) was a special find in 2021. This day-flying moth only has slightly scaled wings which appear partially transparent. They like sunny and warm places and can be observed from June to August. The grub-like caterpillars develop on the common bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus).

© N. Rüsing, TUD

White spotted rose beetle

The white spotted rose beetle (Oxythyrea funesta) is a conspicuous 8 to 12 millimeter shiny black flower chafer with white spots. It feeds on the pollen of brown knapweed (Centaurea jacea) or field scabious (Knautia arvensis). This is a non-native beetle species. They are expanding their range due to climate change and can often be seen on campus between May and September.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Pied hoverfly

This black and while hoverfly (Scaeva pyrastri) is commonly found on apiaceae and ranunculaceae where it can easily obtain pollen and nectar. Their larvae feed on aphids, which they hunt on herbaceous plants, bushes or shrubs. As a migratory species, it can cover long distances in flight and exploit aphid populations wherever it finds them.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Orange tip butterfly

The orange tip butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines) is a day-flying butterfly of the Pieridae family. A white upper wing surface with a black spot are typical of the white butterflies, and the male aurora butterflies also have striking orange tips. The most important food plants for the caterpillars are the cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis) and garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata).

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Bee beetle

The bee beetle (Trichius gallicus) belongs to the scarab beetle (Scarabaeidae) family and loves warmth. The elytra are yellow-brown, each with three black transverse spots, but this pattern is variable. These beetles can be found on apiaceae, rose plants and asteraceae. The larvae develop in rotten wood (tree hollows or stumps).

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Cuckoo bumblebee

The cuckoo bumblebee (Bombus rupestris) lives as parasite and is a member of the subgenus Psithyrus. It is similar in color to the red-tailed bumblebee, has striking red hairs on the last tergite and black wings. The powerful female (18 - 22 mm) sneaks into the nest of the host bumblebee, kills the queen and has her eggs cared for by the subjugated workers.

© N. Rüsing, TUD

Eucera nigrescens

Eucera nigrescens was named Wild Bee of the Year in 2021. The males are very conspicuous with their long antennae and buzz around food plants in rapid flight, where they wait for females. They are specialized on faboideae and are often found on vetches and sweet peas.

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