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The Oak Eggar (Lasiocampa quercus) is a large, hairy moth common throughout much of Europe. Despite its name, the moth does not primarily feed on oak trees; the "oak" refers to the cocoon's acorn-like shape. The "eggar" name is shared with other moths that create similar, hard, egg-shaped cocoons. Contributors: Karin Krenn, Tom Dickson Moths Oak Eggar (Lasiocampa quercus) The Oak Eggar (Lasiocampa quercus) is a large, hairy moth common throughout much of Europe. Despite its name, the moth does not primarily feed on oak trees; the "oak" refers to the cocoon's acorn-like shape. The "eggar" name is shared with other moths that create similar, hard, egg-shaped cocoons. Contributors: Karin Krenn, Tom Dickson

The Geometrid Moth (Casilda antophilaria) is a moth with a slender body, broad wings, and distinctive inchworm-like larvae. This species is found in coastal regions, particularly near salt marshes and other halophilic (salt-tolerant) plant communities. Moths Geometrid Moth (Casilda antophilaria) The Geometrid Moth (Casilda antophilaria) is a moth with a slender body, broad wings, and distinctive inchworm-like larvae. This species is found in coastal regions, particularly near salt marshes and other halophilic (salt-tolerant) plant communities.

Jumping Spider (Heliophanus kochii) is often called a "sun jumping spider" due to its genus name (helios for sun, phanos for bright), it is known for its distinctive metallic sheen that glitters in sunlight. Primarily found across Southern Europe and North Africa, the species has been observed expanding its range northward, likely due to climate change. Arachnids Jumping Spider (Heliophanus kochii) Jumping Spider (Heliophanus kochii) is often called a "sun jumping spider" due to its genus name (helios for sun, phanos for bright), it is known for its distinctive metallic sheen that glitters in sunlight. Primarily found across Southern Europe and North Africa, the species has been observed expanding its range northward, likely due to climate change.

The Vestal (Rhodometra sacraria) is a delicate migrant moth found across Europe. It has pale cream or yellowish brown wings crossed by a distinctive dark diagonal line. Often seen in late summer and autumn, it is attracted to light and rests with wings held flat. Its caterpillars feed on knotgrass and related plants. Moths Vestal (Rhodometra sacraria) The Vestal (Rhodometra sacraria) is a delicate migrant moth found across Europe. It has pale cream or yellowish brown wings crossed by a distinctive dark diagonal line. Often seen in late summer and autumn, it is attracted to light and rests with wings held flat. Its caterpillars feed on knotgrass and related plants.

The Sheathed Woodtuft (Kuehneromyces mutabilis) is an edible mushroom known for its distinctive appearance and habitat but is often mistaken for the deadly toxic funeral bell (Galerina marginata). Due to this dangerous look-alike, foraging for the sheathed woodtuft is not recommended for beginners. Fungi Sheathed Woodtuft (Kuehneromyces mutabilis) The Sheathed Woodtuft (Kuehneromyces mutabilis) is an edible mushroom known for its distinctive appearance and habitat but is often mistaken for the deadly toxic funeral bell (Galerina marginata). Due to this dangerous look-alike, foraging for the sheathed woodtuft is not recommended for beginners.

The Common Clubtail (Gomphus vulgatissimus) is a medium-sized dragonfly found across much of Europe and gets its name from the noticeably club-shaped end to the abdomen. It is almost exclusively a riverine species , preferring slow to moderate flowing, unpolluted meandering rivers with silty or sandy beds. Dragonflies/Damselflies Common Clubtail (Gomphus vulgatissimus) Link The Common Clubtail (Gomphus vulgatissimus) is a medium-sized dragonfly found across much of Europe and gets its name from the noticeably club-shaped end to the abdomen. It is almost exclusively a riverine species , preferring slow to moderate flowing, unpolluted meandering rivers with silty or sandy beds.

The Blair’s Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri) is a medium-sized moth found across Europe. It has greyish-brown forewings marked with a distinctive pale “shoulder-knot” near the base. Adults fly in autumn and overwinter, reappearing in early spring. The larvae feed on conifers, especially cypress and yew. Moths Blair's Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri) The Blair’s Shoulder-knot (Lithophane leautieri) is a medium-sized moth found across Europe. It has greyish-brown forewings marked with a distinctive pale “shoulder-knot” near the base. Adults fly in autumn and overwinter, reappearing in early spring. The larvae feed on conifers, especially cypress and yew.

Horseflies are large, fast-flying insects known for their painful bites. Females feed on blood, using scissor-like mouthparts to cut skin, which can cause irritation and swelling. They are active in warm weather and often target livestock, wildlife, and humans. Males, in contrast, feed on nectar. Horseflies can transmit diseases to animals and are considered pests in both rural and recreational areas. Flies Horsefly (Therioplectes sp.) Horseflies are large, fast-flying insects known for their painful bites. Females feed on blood, using scissor-like mouthparts to cut skin, which can cause irritation and swelling. They are active in warm weather and often target livestock, wildlife, and humans. Males, in contrast, feed on nectar. Horseflies can transmit diseases to animals and are considered pests in both rural and recreational areas.

The Leopard moth (Zeuzera pyrina) is a large, white moth with distinct black spots. The larvae burrow into the wood of a wide variety of deciduous trees and shrubs. Though a native species in Europe, the wood-boring caterpillars can cause significant damage in orchards and commercial tree nurseries. Moths Leopard Moth (Zeuzera pyrina) The Leopard moth (Zeuzera pyrina) is a large, white moth with distinct black spots. The larvae burrow into the wood of a wide variety of deciduous trees and shrubs. Though a native species in Europe, the wood-boring caterpillars can cause significant damage in orchards and commercial tree nurseries.

The Treble Brown Spot (Idaea trigeminata) is a small moth, identified by the three dark brown spots on its forewing. Its wingspan is 23-25 mm and can be found in habitats like woodland edges, hedgerows, and gardens, and its larvae feed on withered leaves of plants like ivy. Contributor: Dougy Wright Moths Treble Brown Spot (Idaea trigeminata) The Treble Brown Spot (Idaea trigeminata) is a small moth, identified by the three dark brown spots on its forewing. Its wingspan is 23-25 mm and can be found in habitats like woodland edges, hedgerows, and gardens, and its larvae feed on withered leaves of plants like ivy. Contributor: Dougy Wright

The Bugloss Ermine (Ethmia bipunctella) is a distinctive black-and-white micro-moth found primarily in coastal and increasingly inland areas of Europe. Contributor: Dougy Wright Moths Bugloss Ermine (Ethmia bipunctella) The Bugloss Ermine (Ethmia bipunctella) is a distinctive black-and-white micro-moth found primarily in coastal and increasingly inland areas of Europe. Contributor: Dougy Wright

The Rosy-striped Knot-horn (Oncocera semirubella) is a small, distinctive moth in the family Pyralidae, often colloquially known as the "Rhubarb and Custard" moth due to its colouring. . Contributor: Dougy Wright Moths Rosy-striped Knot-horn (Oncocera semirubella) The Rosy-striped Knot-horn (Oncocera semirubella) is a small, distinctive moth in the family Pyralidae, often colloquially known as the "Rhubarb and Custard" moth due to its colouring. . Contributor: Dougy Wright