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The German Scorpionfly (Panorpa germanica) is a common and widespread insect found across much of Europe, though it is harmless despite its intimidating appearance. Males have enlarged reproductive organs at the end of their abdomen that resemble a scorpion's stinger, which they use in courtship rituals. Other Insects German Scorpionfly (Panorpa germanica) The German Scorpionfly (Panorpa germanica) is a common and widespread insect found across much of Europe, though it is harmless despite its intimidating appearance. Males have enlarged reproductive organs at the end of their abdomen that resemble a scorpion's stinger, which they use in courtship rituals.

The Thick-legged Flower Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) is a vividly coloured insect known for its metallic sheen and its distinctive "swollen thighs" in males. A beneficial pollinator, it is a common sight on flowers across Western Europe during the warmer months. It is also known as the swollen-thighed beetle or false oil beetle. Thick-legged Flower Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) Beetles The Thick-legged Flower Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) is a vividly coloured insect known for its metallic sheen and its distinctive "swollen thighs" in males. A beneficial pollinator, it is a common sight on flowers across Western Europe during the warmer months. It is also known as the swollen-thighed beetle or false oil beetle.

The European Lantern Fly (Dictyophara europaea) is a species of planthopper native to the western Palaearctic, including Eurasia. It is often confused with the invasive Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), which is a significant agricultural pest in the United States, but they are different species from different families. Other Insects European Lantern Fly (Dictyophara europaea) The European Lantern Fly (Dictyophara europaea) is a species of planthopper native to the western Palaearctic, including Eurasia. It is often confused with the invasive Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), which is a significant agricultural pest in the United States, but they are different species from different families.

The Stem-boring Sawfly (Calameuta filiformis), is present in Greece, typically inhabiting fens, marshes, and damp grasslands. As a species of the Cephidae family, it requires specific moisture-rich habitats where its larvae can feed safely inside the stems of large wetland grasses and reeds. Contributor: Kirsty Raphael Other Insects Stem-boring Sawfly (Calameuta filiformis) The Stem-boring Sawfly (Calameuta filiformis), is present in Greece, typically inhabiting fens, marshes, and damp grasslands. As a species of the Cephidae family, it requires specific moisture-rich habitats where its larvae can feed safely inside the stems of large wetland grasses and reeds. Contributor: Kirsty Raphael

The Common Trig (Trigonidium cicindeloides) is a small, beetle-like species of sword-tail cricket found in Southern Europe. It is known for the clicking sound males create by vibrating their maxillary palps to attract mates or deter rivals during the mating season. Grasshoppers & Bush-crickets Common Trig (Trigonidium cicindeloides) The Common Trig (Trigonidium cicindeloides) is a small, beetle-like species of sword-tail cricket found in Southern Europe. It is known for the clicking sound males create by vibrating their maxillary palps to attract mates or deter rivals during the mating season.

Ground spiders are in the family 'Gnaphosidae' which is the seventh largest spider family with over 2,000 species (105 European species) in over 100 genera distributed worldwide. Arachnids Ground Spider (Aphantaulax sp.) Ground spiders are in the family 'Gnaphosidae' which is the seventh largest spider family with over 2,000 species (105 European species) in over 100 genera distributed worldwide.

The Yellow Owlfly (Libelloides macaronius) is a day-flying insect with black and yellow wings that preys on other small flying insects. It is known for its large, clubbed antennae, prominent black body, and excellent vision, which it uses to hunt at high speeds. Other Insects Yellow Owlfly (Libelloides macaronius) The Yellow Owlfly (Libelloides macaronius) is a day-flying insect with black and yellow wings that preys on other small flying insects. It is known for its large, clubbed antennae, prominent black body, and excellent vision, which it uses to hunt at high speeds.

The Olive Fruit Fly (Bactrocera oleae) is a major pest of olive trees. It's larvae feed on the fruit and cause significant damage to olive crops worldwide. Damage caused by this pest leads to reduced yields, lower oil quality, and can lead to 100% crop losses in severe infestations. Flies Olive Fruit Fly (Bactrocera oleae) The Olive Fruit Fly (Bactrocera oleae) is a major pest of olive trees. It's larvae feed on the fruit and cause significant damage to olive crops worldwide. Damage caused by this pest leads to reduced yields, lower oil quality, and can lead to 100% crop losses in severe infestations.

The Short-horned Grasshopper (Calliptamus barbarus) is a species of Eurasian grasshopper in the family Acrididae. Also known as the 'Barbarian' or 'Eurasian Pincer' grasshopper, it is a common insect found mainly in Southern Europe. Grasshoppers & Bush-crickets Short-horned Grasshopper (Calliptamus barbarus) The Short-horned Grasshopper (Calliptamus barbarus) is a species of Eurasian grasshopper in the family Acrididae. Also known as the 'Barbarian' or 'Eurasian Pincer' grasshopper, it is a common insect found mainly in Southern Europe.

The Rambur's Wave (Idaea elongaria) is a species of moth in the family Geometridae which has been recorded in parts of Europe. Contributor: Dougy Wright Moths Rambur's Wave (Idaea elongaria) The Rambur's Wave (Idaea elongaria) is a species of moth in the family Geometridae which has been recorded in parts of Europe. Contributor: Dougy Wright

The Asilidae are a family in the order Diptera, the true flies. The common name for members of the family is the Robber Flies. The Asilidae are cosmopolitan, with over 7000 described species, so identification can be difficult. Robber flies are agile, predatory insects with bristly faces and strong, spiny legs. Found in sunny, open habitats, they catch other insects in flight using their sharp, stabbing mouthparts. Their diet includes bees, wasps, and beetles. Flies Brown Heath Robber Fly (Machimus cingulatus) The Asilidae are a family in the order Diptera, the true flies. The common name for members of the family is the Robber Flies. The Asilidae are cosmopolitan, with over 7000 described species, so identification can be difficult. Robber flies are agile, predatory insects with bristly faces and strong, spiny legs. Found in sunny, open habitats, they catch other insects in flight using their sharp, stabbing mouthparts. Their diet includes bees, wasps, and beetles.

The 'eggs' on the bee are called Phoretic Mites, almost certainly the Wool Carder Bee Mite (Sennertionyx manicati). They gather in the narrow junction between the thorax and abdomen which is a prime location because the bee cannot reach back far enough with its legs to groom or brush them off. Many solitary bees have developed folds in their exoskeleton designed to specifically carry these mites to a new home. Once the female bee finishes constructing her nest, the mites hop off into the chamber where they feed on molds, fungi, or excess debris, which keeps the developing bee larvae clean and healthy. Arachnids Wool Carder Bee Mite (Sennertionyx manicati) The 'eggs' on the bee are called Phoretic Mites, almost certainly the Wool Carder Bee Mite (Sennertionyx manicati). They gather in the narrow junction between the thorax and abdomen which is a prime location because the bee cannot reach back far enough with its legs to groom or brush them off. Many solitary bees have developed folds in their exoskeleton designed to specifically carry these mites to a new home. Once the female bee finishes constructing her nest, the mites hop off into the chamber where they feed on molds, fungi, or excess debris, which keeps the developing bee larvae clean and healthy.