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Huntsman spiders are members of the family 'Sparassidae' and catch their prey by hunting rather than in webs. They are eight-eyed spiders, the eyes appear in two largely forward-facing rows of four on the anterior aspect of the prosoma. Many species in this family grow very large. Arachnids Huntsman Spider (Eusparassus walckenaerι) Huntsman spiders are members of the family 'Sparassidae' and catch their prey by hunting rather than in webs. They are eight-eyed spiders, the eyes appear in two largely forward-facing rows of four on the anterior aspect of the prosoma. Many species in this family grow very large.

The Oriental Hornet (Vespa orientalis) is a large, yellow-and-brown social wasp found in southern Europe. Active during the day, it nests underground or in sheltered cavities. Workers hunt insects and scavenge, while queens reproduce. Remarkably, its yellow cuticle may help harvest solar energy, making it unique among hornets. Bees/Wasps Oriental Hornet (Vespa orientalis) The Oriental Hornet (Vespa orientalis) is a large, yellow-and-brown social wasp found in southern Europe. Active during the day, it nests underground or in sheltered cavities. Workers hunt insects and scavenge, while queens reproduce. Remarkably, its yellow cuticle may help harvest solar energy, making it unique among hornets.

The Thick-legged Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens) is a common and widespread fly known for its distinctive swollen hind legs. Originally from Europe, it has established itself across Eurasia and North America. I have only ever seen it on oregano flowers in Corfu. Flies Thick-legged Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens) The Thick-legged Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens) is a common and widespread fly known for its distinctive swollen hind legs. Originally from Europe, it has established itself across Eurasia and North America. I have only ever seen it on oregano flowers in Corfu.

The Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus), is a small butterfly that belongs to the lycaenids or gossamer-winged family. Not to be confused with the Lang's Short-tailed Blue which has very different under wing markings. Butterflies Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus) A small, blue/brown butterfly in the family Lycaenidae (Gossamer-winged butterflies) The Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus), is a small butterfly that belongs to the lycaenids or gossamer-winged family. Not to be confused with the Lang's Short-tailed Blue which has very different under wing markings. Periods can vary with location and seasonal weather Months seen on Corfu Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋

The Blue Emperor (Anax imperator) is a large, powerful dragonfly widespread across Europe. Males display bright blue abdomens with black tips, while females are greenish. It patrols ponds and lakes, hunting flying insects. Aggressive and territorial, it is among the fastest and most striking dragonflies in its range. Dragonflies/Damselflies Blue Emperor (Anax imperator) Link The Blue Emperor (Anax imperator) is a large, powerful dragonfly widespread across Europe. Males display bright blue abdomens with black tips, while females are greenish. It patrols ponds and lakes, hunting flying insects. Aggressive and territorial, it is among the fastest and most striking dragonflies in its range.

The Eastern Orange Tip (Anthocharis damone), is a small butterfly found in southeastern Europe and parts of the Middle East. Males are easily recognized by their bright orange wingtips, contrasting with white wings and dark markings. They prefer dry, flowery habitats and are active in spring. Larvae feed on cruciferous plants such as Aethionema species. Contributor: Anne Sordinas Butterflies Eastern Orange Tip (Anthocharis damone) A medium sized, yellow butterfly in the family Pieridae (White, yellow butterflies) The Eastern Orange Tip (Anthocharis damone), is a small butterfly found in southeastern Europe and parts of the Middle East. Males are easily recognized by their bright orange wingtips, contrasting with white wings and dark markings. They prefer dry, flowery habitats and are active in spring. Larvae feed on cruciferous plants such as Aethionema species. Contributor: Anne Sordinas Periods can vary with location and seasonal weather Months seen on Corfu Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 🦋 🦋 🦋

The Grecian Copper (Lycaena ottoman) is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is found in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Turkey. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and temperate scrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss and is usually seen around the end of April/May in Corfu. Butterflies Grecian Copper (Lycaena ottoman) A medium sized, orange butterfly in the family Lycaenidae (Gossamer-winged butterflies) The Grecian Copper (Lycaena ottoman) is a species of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is found in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Turkey. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and temperate scrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss and is usually seen around the end of April/May in Corfu. Periods can vary with location and seasonal weather Months seen on Corfu Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋 🦋

The Broad Centurion (Chloromyia formosa) is a common, 7–9 mm metallic green 'soldier fly' found in gardens, woodlands, and wetlands from May to August. Known for its densely hairy eyes, the species shows sexual dimorphism with females having a metallic blue-green abdomen, while males are bronze-green in colour. Flies Broad Centurion (Chloromyia formosa) The Broad Centurion (Chloromyia formosa) is a common, 7–9 mm metallic green 'soldier fly' found in gardens, woodlands, and wetlands from May to August. Known for its densely hairy eyes, the species shows sexual dimorphism with females having a metallic blue-green abdomen, while males are bronze-green in colour.

The Gold-faced Velvet Spider (Eresus moravicus) is a species of ladybird spider in the family 'Eresidae, commonly known as velvet spiders. Native to Central Europe and the eastern Mediterranean, it is the largest Eresus species in Central Europe. Males have a black head and front legs, bright red/orange hind legs, and a vibrant red abdomen accented by pairs of white-bordered black spots. Females, significantly larger than males, are completely purplish-black, but uniquely identified by a distinctive patch of bright orange hairs on the front of their head (prosoma). Contributor: Ian Henderson Arachnids Gold-faced Velvet Spider (Eresus moravicus) The Gold-faced Velvet Spider (Eresus moravicus) is a species of ladybird spider in the family 'Eresidae, commonly known as velvet spiders. Native to Central Europe and the eastern Mediterranean, it is the largest Eresus species in Central Europe. Males have a black head and front legs, bright red/orange hind legs, and a vibrant red abdomen accented by pairs of white-bordered black spots. Females, significantly larger than males, are completely purplish-black, but uniquely identified by a distinctive patch of bright orange hairs on the front of their head (prosoma). Contributor: Ian Henderson

The Common Long-legged Bush-cricket (Acrometopa servillea), also known as Serville's long-legged bush-cricket, is a species of katydid found in southern Europe. It is a striking insect known for its long legs and antennae. Grasshoppers & Bush-crickets Common Long-legged Bush-cricket (Acrometopa servillea) The Common Long-legged Bush-cricket (Acrometopa servillea), also known as Serville's long-legged bush-cricket, is a species of katydid found in southern Europe. It is a striking insect known for its long legs and antennae.

The Asparagus Moth (Parahypopta caestrum) is a species of carpenter moth whose larvae are a significant pest to asparagus crops in southern Europe and western Asia. While adults are mostly harmless, the larvae cause damage by burrowing into the roots of asparagus plants. Contributor: Dougy Wright Moths Asparagus Moth (Parahypopta caestrum) The Asparagus Moth (Parahypopta caestrum) is a species of carpenter moth whose larvae are a significant pest to asparagus crops in southern Europe and western Asia. While adults are mostly harmless, the larvae cause damage by burrowing into the roots of asparagus plants. Contributor: Dougy Wright

The Pistachio Pouch-gall Aphid (Forda riccobonii) is an aphid that creates distinctive "pouch" galls on pistachio tree leaves, typically in the Mediterranean region. It has a two-year life cycle, alternating between the pistachio tree (primary host) and the roots of grasses (secondary host). True Bugs Pistachio Pouch-gall Aphid (Forda riccobonii) The Pistachio Pouch-gall Aphid (Forda riccobonii) is an aphid that creates distinctive "pouch" galls on pistachio tree leaves, typically in the Mediterranean region. It has a two-year life cycle, alternating between the pistachio tree (primary host) and the roots of grasses (secondary host).