Nettles and why you shouldn't hate them
The other day I was wandering down the Saltcot Loaning, a warm autumn sun on my face, a gentle breeze in my hair. There were butterflies flitting all around and birds singing in the trees. And there were lots of nettles.
Firstly I noticed that the speckled wood butterflies loved landing on their wide flat leaves. They were favouring the nettles over any of the other plants. A place to rest and a meal: the flowers are a great source of nectar. Butterflies also like to lay their eggs on nettles. Small tortoiseshell caterpillars love eating the leaves.
small tortoiseshell caterpillars on stinging nettles by Marianne Nicholson
As I kept wandering down, I noticed a spider’s web strung between two nettle stems. The spider had a pretty stout body and its legs were tucked in. From the shape of its web, I could tell it is an orb weaver. Later, I would check in the book and determine from the markings on its back that it is a garden spider or as it is also known: the cross orb weaver (Araneus diadematus). I looked around, keen to see more and noticed at least 8 webs hanging in the nettles, just from a cursory look. Perhaps the rough texture of the stem makes a good surface to attach a web to? Perhaps because their long stems are stiff and so easier to hang a web between? Or even simply they are all that is available?
garden spider and web by Marianne Nicholson
Whatever the reason, as I walked back up, there were dozens of these spiders and the webs they had so carefully constructed.
And it’s not even just the small invertebrates that love nettles. Birds get to snack on the inverts that use them and then at the end of the summer, there are some like chaffinches and sparrows that eat the seeds.
I think it is safe to say that perhaps it is time to change your thinking. Nettles don’t have to be hated: give them a chance and you don’t know what wildlife treats you might get.
Feature image of speckled wood butterfly sitting on a nettle leaf by Marianne Nicholson
Pictures and words by Marianne Nicholson
