Insects & invertebrates
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
What do ladybirds eat?
What do ladybirds eat? Do ladybirds bite? How long do they live? And where do they live? Find out all about these spotted insects with our expert guide.
Stunning bee photographs shine light on the life (and death) of more than 20,000 species
A provocative new exhibition aimed at highlighting the existential threat to thousands of bee species around the world is coming to the UK. We look at what to expect from 'Bees: A Story of Survival' through a series of spectacular images...
All you need to know about earthworms, including why they are so good for our soil
There’s a lot more to earthworms than meets the eye says Joanna Carter. Here she explains how these little critters play a crucial role in keeping our soil healthy.
British beetle guide: where to see and how to identify these fascinating insects
From the striking rose chafer to the stag, beetles are a fascinating group of insects found widely throughout the UK. Here is our expert UK beetle species guide, which explains how to identify and best places to spot them.
British spider guide - and why there are so many around
During autumn and winter you may notice an influx of spiders appearing in your garden and home. Learn why this is, as well as how long they live, what they eat and common UK species with our expert guide to British spiders.
British moth guide: common types, amazing facts and why they matter
Our moth guide looks at how to identify UK species, why they are so important and the best plants for attracting moths to your garden
British shieldbug guide: how to identify and where to see
Shieldbugs, sometimes known as stink bugs, are a common sight in Britain's gardens, parks and countryside. Though many of these shield-shaped insects may look the same, there are in fact numerous shieldbug species that live in the UK, from the common green shieldbug to the hawthorn shieldbug. Learn more about these intriguing members of the Hemiptera order with our expert guide
How to take part in the Big Butterfly Count 2023
Wildlife lovers are being urged to take part in the annual Big Butterfly Count – and what better reason to find a shady spot for 15 minutes? Here is our guide to the most common butterfly species to spot in the UK and how to take part in this year's count.
British dragonfly and damselfly guide: how to identify common species and where to see them
Summer is a great time for spotting insects on the wing in the British countryside – our expert guide explains how to identify and where to find common dragonflies, damselflies and demoiselles species.