Tom loves England, and always has his ear on happenings there from castles and history to BBC programming. Recently he sent me an article about something I hadn't heard of happening before in an historic place: A Royal Battle of the Bugs (well, that's what I'm calling it). Scientists are using one insect to get rid of another, who is a greater pest. Here's the amazing story from CNN:
(Photo: Blickling Hall. National Trust, Blickling Hall Photo credit: National Trust Images)
An army of parasitic wasps has been deployed to battle moths inside a British stately home
London (CNN) Feb 2021 — An army of tiny, parasitic wasps will be unleashed inside the English stately home where Anne Boleyn was born, in order to hunt out and eradicate moths that threaten the mansion's furniture and artifacts.
Blickling Hall in Norfolk, eastern England, has been unable to contain an invasion of clothes moths, which can be damaging to the carpets, furniture, clothing and other wool and silk objects inside the historic home.
But managers believe the critters will meet their match when they introduce a number of microscopic, parasitic wasps into the building. (Learn about Blickling Hall below)
The wasps -- Trichogramma evanescens -- measure about 0.5 millimeters and are barely visible to humans. They will search out moth eggs and lay their own eggs inside them, so a new wasp hatches instead of a moth larva. Once their mission is complete, the wasps will eventually die and disappear into house dust, say property managers, who believe the pest control attempt is the first of its kind inside a heritage setting.
The Trust, which runs the property, said the wasps will be supplied in small card dispensers which can be "discreetly hung or placed in drawers or open rooms."
Blickling Hall was listed in the 11th century Domesday Book, Britain's earliest public record, and was later owned by Geoffrey Boleyn.
His granddaughter, Anne Boleyn, is believed to have been born in the home. She went on to become Henry VIII's ill-fated second wife, giving birth to the future Queen Elizabeth I and later being put to death by beheading after failing to deliver the ruler a son.
It now welcomes visitors, but is closed during England's third national coronavirus lockdown.
******************************************************
ABOUT BLICKLING HALL - Surrounding the house, the formal garden is the
result of three centuries of inspired planting, and the gently undulating
historic parkland is great for exploring on foot or by bike. Grab a map of our
way-marked walks from visitor reception and enjoy discovering intriguing
landmarks, stunning views and wildlife.
WEBSITE TO BLICKLING HALL: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blickling-estate
No comments:
Post a Comment