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The Beautiful Plume (Amblyptilia acanthadactyla) is a delicate, brownish plume moth found across Europe. Its wings are deeply divided, giving a feathery, T-shaped appearance in flight. Active mainly from autumn to spring, it overwinters as an adult and flies at dusk. The larvae feed on various low plants, including geraniums and mints, making it a common yet subtle garden visitor. Moths Beautiful Plume (Amblyptilia acanthadactyla) The Beautiful Plume (Amblyptilia acanthadactyla) is a delicate, brownish plume moth found across Europe. Its wings are deeply divided, giving a feathery, T-shaped appearance in flight. Active mainly from autumn to spring, it overwinters as an adult and flies at dusk. The larvae feed on various low plants, including geraniums and mints, making it a common yet subtle garden visitor.

The Golden Pearl (Anania verbascalis) is a small, bronze-colored micro-moth of the family Crambidae, found in Europe. It is also known as the Wood Sage Pearl, named for its primary larval food plant. Contributor: Dougy Wright Moths Golden Pearl (Anania verbascalis) The Golden Pearl (Anania verbascalis) is a small, bronze-colored micro-moth of the family Crambidae, found in Europe. It is also known as the Wood Sage Pearl, named for its primary larval food plant. Contributor: Dougy Wright

The Date Waxcap (Hygrocybe spadicea) is a striking but extremely rare gilled mushroom, easily recognised by its dark brown cap contrasting with bright yellow or orange gills and stem. As with many waxcap species, it is a key indicator of undisturbed, nutrient-poor grassland habitats across Europe, where its populations are in decline. Fungi Date Waxcap (Hygrocybe spadicea) The Date Waxcap (Hygrocybe spadicea) is a striking but extremely rare gilled mushroom, easily recognised by its dark brown cap contrasting with bright yellow or orange gills and stem. As with many waxcap species, it is a key indicator of undisturbed, nutrient-poor grassland habitats across Europe, where its populations are in decline.

The Flower Crab Spider (Misumena vatia), also commonly known as the goldenrod crab spider, is a fascinating, web-less ambush predator belonging to the family Thomisidae. It is widely celebrated in the arachnid world for its exceptional camouflage skills, specifically its ability to change its body colour to match the flowers it rests upon. Arachnids Flower Crab Spider (Misumena vatia) The Flower Crab Spider (Misumena vatia), also commonly known as the goldenrod crab spider, is a fascinating, web-less ambush predator belonging to the family Thomisidae. It is widely celebrated in the arachnid world for its exceptional camouflage skills, specifically its ability to change its body colour to match the flowers it rests upon.

The Dune Brittlestem (Psathyrella ammophila) is a salt-tolerant mushroom that grows on sand dunes and is common in northern Europe. Its Greek-derived scientific name means "sand-loving" (ammophila) and "friable" or crumbly (Psathyrella), a reference to its fragile texture. It is an inedible fungus that varies in colour and shape with age and considered rare or threatened in specific regions. Fungi Dune Brittlestem (Psathyrella ammophila) The Dune Brittlestem (Psathyrella ammophila) is a salt-tolerant mushroom that grows on sand dunes and is common in northern Europe. Its Greek-derived scientific name means "sand-loving" (ammophila) and "friable" or crumbly (Psathyrella), a reference to its fragile texture. It is an inedible fungus that varies in colour and shape with age and considered rare or threatened in specific regions.

Ichneumon wasps are slender, parasitic insects with long antennae and often have an elongated ovipositor. They lay eggs in or on other insects, especially caterpillars, providing food for their larvae. Although intimidating in appearance, they are harmless to humans. Bees/Wasps Icneumon Wasp (Ophion obscuratus) Ichneumon wasps are slender, parasitic insects with long antennae and often have an elongated ovipositor. They lay eggs in or on other insects, especially caterpillars, providing food for their larvae. Although intimidating in appearance, they are harmless to humans.

Orb-weaver spiders are in the family 'Araneidae' which has 3,108 species in 186 genera worldwide. They are the most common group to build spiral, circular 'orb' shaped webs. Arachnids Angular Orb-weaver (Araneus angulatus) Orb-weaver spiders are in the family 'Araneidae' which has 3,108 species in 186 genera worldwide. They are the most common group to build spiral, circular 'orb' shaped webs.

The Digger Wasp is a solitary insect with a slender, often black or yellow-striped body. Found in sandy habitats worldwide, it digs burrows to lay eggs. Its larvae feed on paralyzed prey left in the burrow. Bees/Wasps Digger Wasp (Prionyx kirbii) The Digger Wasp is a solitary insect with a slender, often black or yellow-striped body. Found in sandy habitats worldwide, it digs burrows to lay eggs. Its larvae feed on paralyzed prey left in the burrow.

The Pale Mottled Willow (Caradrina clavipalpis) is a common and widespread moth species found throughout Western Europe. It is easily recognisable by the distinct mottling on its forewings and very white hindwings. Contributor: Dougy Wright Moths Pale Mottled Willow (Caradrina clavipalpis) The Pale Mottled Willow (Caradrina clavipalpis) is a common and widespread moth species found throughout Western Europe. It is easily recognisable by the distinct mottling on its forewings and very white hindwings. Contributor: Dougy Wright

The Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata) is a delicate, grey-brown moth common across Europe. Its wings are finely speckled with darker dots, giving a dusty appearance, and it rests with wings held flat. Flying from June to September, it is attracted to light. The larvae feed on withered leaves and detritus, making it widespread in gardens and woodlands. Contributor Dougy Wright Moths Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata) The Small Dusty Wave (Idaea seriata) is a delicate, grey-brown moth common across Europe. Its wings are finely speckled with darker dots, giving a dusty appearance, and it rests with wings held flat. Flying from June to September, it is attracted to light. The larvae feed on withered leaves and detritus, making it widespread in gardens and woodlands. Contributor Dougy Wright

The Jewel Beetle (Anthaxia croesus) is a small, iridescent beetle native to Southern Europe. It is known for its metallic colours and its larvae's association with various host plants. Jewel Beetle (Anthaxia croesus) Beetles The Jewel Beetle (Anthaxia croesus) is a small, iridescent beetle native to Southern Europe. It is known for its metallic colours and its larvae's association with various host plants.

The Waxcap is a brightly coloured fungi belonging to the genus Hygrocybe, known for their waxy or slimy caps. Most European waxcaps are indicators of ancient, unimproved grasslands that are low in nutrients. Their vibrant colours and affinity for undisturbed habitats make them ecologically significant, though many species face conservation concerns due to habitat loss. Fungi Waxcap (Hygrocybe sp.) The Waxcap is a brightly coloured fungi belonging to the genus Hygrocybe, known for their waxy or slimy caps. Most European waxcaps are indicators of ancient, unimproved grasslands that are low in nutrients. Their vibrant colours and affinity for undisturbed habitats make them ecologically significant, though many species face conservation concerns due to habitat loss.