Open your windows in summer and it probably won’t be long before a fly buzzes in; your garden or windowbox is probably rich in bees and hoverflies; butterflies abound. But what about in winter? There’s so little for them to feed on. Surely they can’t all die? So where do they go?

And it’s true; other than a few winter-flowering plants (my mahonia is currently in flower, and the vibernum budding) there isn’t much nectar to be had. Of course the likes of beetles that eat decaying matter will be fine – all those fallen leaves provide them with both food and shelter. Many insects do simply die, especially the non-breeding members of colonies such as wasps’ nests; others lay eggs in a sheltered place ready to hatch in the spring, but even for nectar-feeding or pollen-loving bugs there are a number of ways to survive the winter.

Many insects hibernate, or go into some form of torpor or suspended animation: queen wasps build a hibernation cell – you might see what looks like a tiny wasp’s nest hanging from the roof of your garage or shed – in which to shelter through the winter. Honeybee colonies huddle in a ball in the hive, with the queen always at the centre, and slowly rotate – so that everyone gets a turn in the warm middle and a turn at the cold outside. This gives them an advantage in the spring because they already have a team of workers ready to wake up and go, but it’s also resource-heavy because they need to build up a big store of food to keep everyone fed.

One Christmas at my parents’ house, every time I opened the window the crannies in the frame were full of hibernating ladybirds (sadly, harlequins); they were taking advantage of our buildings, and probably heating, but it doesn’t have to be an indoor space; even an overhanging ledge, a cavity in a rock, or a hole in a tree or fence post or even the ground, can provide enough shelter – not only from the cold, but also from predators who’re still awake and hungry. Loose bark on dead trees can be enough to protect a tiny creature whilst it waits for it to warm up.

Some moths and butterflies hibernate as adults – again they will seek out cavities or buildings – but others overwinter as caterpillars or chrysalis; many beetle larvae burrow into soil amongst the roots of plants (gardeners hate them because they eat the roots – but on the other hand, sleeping bugs are an important food source for birds – I watch blackbirds pecking around in the vegetable plot and hope they find enough to eat).

So whilst you’re out and about this winter, have a look in nooks and crannies and see if you can spot anything sleeping – but take care not to disturb them because every time they wake up they need to find something extra to eat.

Sadly 41% of insect species face extinction. The Wildlife Trusts have launched an Action for Insects campaign. Find out more - click here.