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The Spotted Shield Bug (Graphosoma semipunctatum) is a true bug native to the Mediterranean region, distinguished by its red or orange body, bold black stripes on its back, and black spots on its pronotum (shoulders). It is often found on plants from the family Apiaceae, like Wild Carrot, and its bright coloration acts as a warning to predators. This species is closely related to the more widespread Striped Shield Bug (Graphosoma italicum) which does not have spots on the pronotum. True Bugs Spotted Shield Bug (Graphosoma semipunctatum) The Spotted Shield Bug (Graphosoma semipunctatum) is a true bug native to the Mediterranean region, distinguished by its red or orange body, bold black stripes on its back, and black spots on its pronotum (shoulders). It is often found on plants from the family Apiaceae, like Wild Carrot, and its bright coloration acts as a warning to predators. This species is closely related to the more widespread Striped Shield Bug (Graphosoma italicum) which does not have spots on the pronotum.

The Catocala genus, known as underwing moths, includes numerous species found across Europe, Asia, and North America. These moths are renowned for their dull, bark-like forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings, often red, orange, or yellow with dark bands. This contrast startles predators when revealed. Most are nocturnal, and their caterpillars typically feed on deciduous trees like oak or willow. Moths Underwing Moth (Catocala nymphaea) The Catocala genus, known as underwing moths, includes numerous species found across Europe, Asia, and North America. These moths are renowned for their dull, bark-like forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings, often red, orange, or yellow with dark bands. This contrast startles predators when revealed. Most are nocturnal, and their caterpillars typically feed on deciduous trees like oak or willow.

The Red-sided Eriothrix (Eriothrix rufomaculata) is a very common, distinctive parasitic fly belonging to the family Tachinidae. It is easily recognized by the prominent orange-red patches on the sides of its otherwise black, bristly abdomen. Flies Red-sided Parasite Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata) The Red-sided Eriothrix (Eriothrix rufomaculata) is a very common, distinctive parasitic fly belonging to the family Tachinidae. It is easily recognized by the prominent orange-red patches on the sides of its otherwise black, bristly abdomen.

The Digging or 'Burrowing' Grasshopper (Acrotylus sp.) is found across Europe. These insects are well-adapted to arid and sandy environments and use their digging ability to escape predators and extreme weather. Grasshoppers & Bush-crickets Digging Grasshopper (Acrotylus sp.) The Digging or 'Burrowing' Grasshopper (Acrotylus sp.) is found across Europe. These insects are well-adapted to arid and sandy environments and use their digging ability to escape predators and extreme weather.

The Thistle Ermine (Myelois circumvoluta) is a small, white pyralid moth with black spots on its forewings. Despite its name and resemblance to ermine moths in the family Yponomeutidae, it is not closely related to them. The moth is native to Europe and has a wingspan of 27–33 millimeters. Contributor: Dougy Wright Moths Thistle Ermine (Myelois circumvoluta) The Thistle Ermine (Myelois circumvoluta) is a small, white pyralid moth with black spots on its forewings. Despite its name and resemblance to ermine moths in the family Yponomeutidae, it is not closely related to them. The moth is native to Europe and has a wingspan of 27–33 millimeters. Contributor: Dougy Wright

The Hoary Footman (Eilema caniola) is a slender moth found across Europe, typically in heathland, woodland, and coastal habitats. Its narrow, greyish forewings lie flat along the body, contrasting with its yellow underwings and body. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. Contributor: Dougy Wright Moths Hoary Footman (Eilema caniola) The Hoary Footman (Eilema caniola) is a slender moth found across Europe, typically in heathland, woodland, and coastal habitats. Its narrow, greyish forewings lie flat along the body, contrasting with its yellow underwings and body. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. Contributor: Dougy Wright

The Theresian Moth (Lamoria anella) is a small snout moth found across Europe and parts of Asia. It has narrow, brownish forewings with fine darker markings and lighter hindwings. Adults fly in summer, often near dry, grassy habitats. It is a minor pest in granaries and food stores. Moths Theresian Moth (Lamoria anella) The Theresian Moth (Lamoria anella) is a small snout moth found across Europe and parts of Asia. It has narrow, brownish forewings with fine darker markings and lighter hindwings. Adults fly in summer, often near dry, grassy habitats. It is a minor pest in granaries and food stores.

The Striped Twin-spot Carpet (Coenotephria salicata) is a small, delicately patterned moth found across Europe. Its wings display grey and brown tones with twin dark spots and fine wavy lines. Active from late spring to early autumn, it flies at dusk in woodland and heathland habitats. Moths Striped Twin-spot Carpet (Coenotephria salicata) The Striped Twin-spot Carpet (Coenotephria salicata) is a small, delicately patterned moth found across Europe. Its wings display grey and brown tones with twin dark spots and fine wavy lines. Active from late spring to early autumn, it flies at dusk in woodland and heathland habitats.

The Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus) is a common plant bug found across the UK and continental Europe. Measuring 6 to 8 mm, it has a distinct green color that turns reddish-brown in mature adults, along with two characteristic dark spots on the neck shield (pronotum). Contributor: Ian Henderson True Bugs Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus) The Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus) is a common plant bug found across the UK and continental Europe. Measuring 6 to 8 mm, it has a distinct green color that turns reddish-brown in mature adults, along with two characteristic dark spots on the neck shield (pronotum). Contributor: Ian Henderson

The Blair’s Mocha (Cyclophora puppillaria) is a delicate, pale yellow-brown moth with fine wavy lines and a small central spot on each wing. Found across Europe, it inhabits woodland areas where its caterpillars feed mainly on oak leaves. Contributor: Dougy Wright Moths Blair's Mocha (Cyclophora puppillaria) The Blair’s Mocha (Cyclophora puppillaria) is a delicate, pale yellow-brown moth with fine wavy lines and a small central spot on each wing. Found across Europe, it inhabits woodland areas where its caterpillars feed mainly on oak leaves. Contributor: Dougy Wright

The Grey Mountain Carpet (Entephria caesiata) is a rare, small, grey geometrid found in moorland and mountain. Colour can be variable but generally greyish with a prominent central band edged in white. It flies from the end of June to mid September and the larval foodplants are most likely heathers and bilberry. Moths Grey Mountain Carpet (Entephria caesiata) The Grey Mountain Carpet (Entephria caesiata) is a rare, small, grey geometrid found in moorland and mountain. Colour can be variable but generally greyish with a prominent central band edged in white. It flies from the end of June to mid September and the larval foodplants are most likely heathers and bilberry.

The Messenger (Agriopis bajaria) is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is a nocturnal insect whose caterpillars are polyphagous, meaning they feed on a variety of deciduous woody plants. Moths Messenger (Agriopis bajaria) The Messenger (Agriopis bajaria) is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is a nocturnal insect whose caterpillars are polyphagous, meaning they feed on a variety of deciduous woody plants.