Ragwort is a native plant that is very important for wildlife. There are at least thirty species of insect and fourteen species of fungi that are completely dependent on Ragwort, and about a third of the insects are scarce or rare. There are a further twenty two species which depend very heavily on ragwort. Our of the insect species seven are classified as nationally scarce and two are so rare as to be given Red Data Book status.
Ragwort also serves as a vital food source for hundreds of species of butterflies, bees, moths, flies and other invertebrates, by supplying nectar. The campaign against it is hysterical in nature and is not based on good science. It is resulting in people destroying ragwort ignorantly where it poses no harm. We have is an interesting article from our biodiversity campaigner which illustrates this. Ragwort a surreal experience.