Insects & invertebrates
See into the astonishing world of bugs with these award-winning photos
From a dragonfly saying goodbye to its old skin to the hirsute face of a flower bee, here are some of the best British images from 2024's Royal Entomological Society Photography Competition
Newly discovered ‘zombie’ fungus, that infects and kills cave spiders, named after Sir David Attenborough
The parasitic fungus was first found on an orb-weaving cave spider during filming of the BBC's Winterwatch series in Northern Ireland
Why do we find spiders scary?
Why are lots of people scared of spiders? Richard Jones investigates
This weird, indestructible animal can survive anything, from being microwaved to going to space. Meet the ultimate survivor
Meet on e of the toughest animals in the world - tardigrades
A spider that changes colour and a stick insect that breaths through its tail – meet Britain's weirdest bugs
Keep your eyes peeled in the wilds of Britain for these extraordinary insects
Spider experts just surveyed an abandoned military site in England – and they found something astonishing
The old military testing site in Suffolk was crawling with thousands and thousands of spiders, says the British Arachnological Society. But there was more...
Scientists are breeding huge leeches in London – and soon they're going to release them
The researchers are trying to save the UK’s largest native leech from extinction.
Does the UK have venomous spiders? 'Um' yes...
All UK spiders are venomous, says Fergus Collins, but that doesn't mean we have to fear them as their venom is unlikely to affect us
Butterflies at crisis point: Survey shows shocking decline in numbers and records lowest-ever numbers
A wildlife charity has called on the Government to declare a ‘Nature Emergency’ after its annual Big Butterfly Count saw lowest numbers on record
Where does all the insect poo go?
Wondering why the sky isn't full of in sect poo, or the ground not covered in the lovely stuff? We explain what happens to insect poo
Does Britain have any scorpions? Yes, surprisingly...
Surely Britain doesn't have any scorpions? Well... you may be surprised...
What is Britain's largest flying insect? Here's a clue - it has an impressive wingspan of 130mm
Richard Jones takes a look at the contenders for the title of Britain's biggest flying insect
Discover Britain's biggest spiders, giant arachnids with legs up to 7cm long
Discover Britain's largest spiders that roam the UK's landscapes and homes, from the damp undergrowth of gardens and ditches to the shadowy corners of buildings
Does slug slime have medicinal properties? Well it might have, but we don't recommend trying it
Is there any truth in the myth snail and slug slime has medicinal properties? Malacologist Tony Cook investigates
What is the point of wasps?
Are wasps a nuisance or a necessity? Find out the truth...
British butterfly guide: how to identify and the best places to spot
Britain is home to 59 species of butterfly, which all play an important role in pollination. In our expert guide, we take a look at butterfly identification, common butterfly species, how long butterflies live, and where to see them in the UK.
Where are all the butterflies? "Very low numbers are a warning sign to us all," say experts
Wet weather and low temperatures are causing havoc for butterflies across the UK.
Flying Ant Day: A brief guide to the spectacular natural phenomenon
What is Flying Ant Day and when does it happen? How long does it last and do seagulls really get drunk eating too many of these winged insects?
Hope for dragonflies: new 'hotspot' for ancient insects declared in English wetlands
Wicken Fen – a wildlife oasis home to 22 species of dragonfly and damselfly – has been awarded 'Dragonfly Hotspot' status, offering new opportunities for the conservation of these ancient insects.
British wasp guide: how to identify common species, lifecycle and why wasps sting
These stinging picnic pests don’t deserve our enmity and fear – they are impressive architects that belong to highly developed and complex societies – our expert guide to wasps looks at the common species, their lifecycle and why wasps sting.
Meet Britain's tarantula, the purseweb spider
Does Britain have tarantulas? Yes says Adele Brand, or at least a spider that belongs to the same family. Meet the purseweb spider
Discover the UK's largest brown butterfly, the grayling butterfly
Carys McMillan from Cheshire Wildlife Trust introduces us to the UK largest brown butterfly, the grayling
Stag beetle guide: fascinating facts about the UK's largest beetle
Uncover the secret life of stag beetles: these majestic insects reveal a fascinating tale of survival and adaptation
No Mow May 2024: Why it's time to let the weeds grow
Want to help the wildlife in your garden? All you have to do this month is… nothing. Welcome to No Mow May 2024