From late spring and during the summer months, many motorists will have found their vehicles covered in a sticky substance. This is the result of aphids – green and black flies - which have been feeding on the tree leaves above where they have parked. Birch and sycamore trees seem to be amongst the worst to park under.
Aphids have two appendages towards their rear ends. It is through them that a substance called honeydew is expelled and drips down. When it lands on a surface such as a car roof and windscreen, it sticks and dust flying in the air will become attached. Ants “farm” the aphids to take the honeydew to feed their offspring in their nests.
Another problematic insect, of which there are several species, are scale insects. The young, once they have hatched from what looks like bird droppings, crawl until they find a suitable vein on which to feed. On the underside of a leaf, they settle and cover themselves in a scale. These insects also exude honeydew on which a black sooty mould grows.
Most people will be familiar with the annual native plant Galium aparine known as “Sticky Willy”. Other names are “Cleavers” and “Goose Grass”. Its rapidly climbing habit is covered in small hooks, both on its leaves and round seeds which attach themselves to clothing and fur.
Another plant growing in gardens and at the edge of woodlands is Geum urbanum, `Wood Avens`. After the small yellow flowers in late spring, its wire stems bear clusters of brown hooked seeds.
It was our delight as small boys to pick the round seed heads from Arctium lappa, `Burdock` and throw them onto one another`s clothes. During the South Queensferry Fair week in early August, one of the highlights is the parade of the `Burry Man`. He wears a woolly suit and is covered from head to toe with the round burrs stuck to the cloth. He is escorted round the village by two assistants. For his reward, stops are made at hostelries along the route.
On a more practical side, if pollen from the stamens of lily flowers should come into contact with clothing, don`t try to brush it off as that can stain the material. Far better is to use adhesive tape to dab it off - it may take a few attempts. A lady wearing a light coloured top was trying to reach a pot of lilies in bud at the back of a display of open flowers and found herself covered in pollen. A roll of tape was produced with great success.
A warning to cat owners, LILY POLLEN CAN BE FATAL TO FELINES.
Bill Tait
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