Search this site

The Mediterranean Field-cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus), also known as the 'two-spotted cricket', is a species of field cricket found across parts of Europe. These stout-bodied insects are often black or dark brown and are distinguished by two yellow or orange spots at the base of their wings. Grasshoppers & Bush-crickets Mediterranean Field-cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) The Mediterranean Field-cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus), also known as the 'two-spotted cricket', is a species of field cricket found across parts of Europe. These stout-bodied insects are often black or dark brown and are distinguished by two yellow or orange spots at the base of their wings.

The Hoverfly (Chrysotoxum intermedium) is known for its distinctive yellow and black pattern and its ability to mimic wasps in what is called 'Batesian mimicry', where a harmless species evolves to imitate the warning signals of a harmful species (in this case, a stinging wasp) to avoid predation. It is found in southern mainland Europe. Flies Hoverfly (Chrysotoxum intermedium) The Hoverfly (Chrysotoxum intermedium) is known for its distinctive yellow and black pattern and its ability to mimic wasps in what is called 'Batesian mimicry', where a harmless species evolves to imitate the warning signals of a harmful species (in this case, a stinging wasp) to avoid predation. It is found in southern mainland Europe.

The Beet Webworm Moth (Spoladea recurvalis) is a small, migratory moth found worldwide in warm regions. It has dark brown wings with distinctive white markings and a wingspan of about 20 mm. Its larvae feed on beet, spinach, and other leafy crops, webbing leaves together as they feed. Contributor: Dougy Wright Moths Beet Webworm Moth (Spoladea recurvalis) The Beet Webworm Moth (Spoladea recurvalis) is a small, migratory moth found worldwide in warm regions. It has dark brown wings with distinctive white markings and a wingspan of about 20 mm. Its larvae feed on beet, spinach, and other leafy crops, webbing leaves together as they feed. Contributor: Dougy Wright

The Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella) is a small, grey-brown moth whose larvae are major pests of apple, pear, and walnut trees. Caterpillars bore into fruit, causing internal damage and premature drop. Widespread across temperate regions, it has multiple generations per year. Contributor: Dougy Wright Moths Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella) The Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella) is a small, grey-brown moth whose larvae are major pests of apple, pear, and walnut trees. Caterpillars bore into fruit, causing internal damage and premature drop. Widespread across temperate regions, it has multiple generations per year. Contributor: Dougy Wright

The White-faced Bush-cricket (Decticus albifrons), also known as the Southern Wartbiter, is a large, omnivorous bush-cricket (katydid) native to the Mediterranean region and is characterised by a white patch on its face. While it has wings, it primarily moves by walking and can only fly short distances. It is a thermophilic species, preferring hot, dry grassland and shrubby areas. Grasshoppers & Bush-crickets White-faced Bush-cricket (Decticus albifrons) The White-faced Bush-cricket (Decticus albifrons), also known as the Southern Wartbiter, is a large, omnivorous bush-cricket (katydid) native to the Mediterranean region and is characterised by a white patch on its face. While it has wings, it primarily moves by walking and can only fly short distances. It is a thermophilic species, preferring hot, dry grassland and shrubby areas.

These Harvestman spiders are in the family 'Trogulidae'. They are characterized by their small, rounded bodies and exceptionally long, slender legs. Unlike true spiders, harvestmen lack venom glands and silk production, making them harmless to humans. Arachnids Harvestman (Trogulus tricarinatus) These Harvestman spiders are in the family 'Trogulidae'. They are characterized by their small, rounded bodies and exceptionally long, slender legs. Unlike true spiders, harvestmen lack venom glands and silk production, making them harmless to humans.

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 Robber Fly (Didysmachus picipes) 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 Dark Giant Horsefly (Tabanus sudeticus) is a large biting fly and the heaviest fly species found in Europe. While males are harmless and feed on nectar, females require a blood meal from large mammals like cattle and horses to develop their eggs. They are most active from July to August. Flies Dark Giant Horsefly (Tabanus sudeticus) The Dark Giant Horsefly (Tabanus sudeticus) is a large biting fly and the heaviest fly species found in Europe. While males are harmless and feed on nectar, females require a blood meal from large mammals like cattle and horses to develop their eggs. They are most active from July to August.

The Gem (Orthonama obstipata) is a small, migratory moth belonging to the family Geometridae. Known for its remarkable flying ability, it is a cosmopolitan species that often travels long distances across open seas. Moths The Gem (Orthonama obstipata) The Gem (Orthonama obstipata) is a small, migratory moth belonging to the family Geometridae. Known for its remarkable flying ability, it is a cosmopolitan species that often travels long distances across open seas.

Antlions are in a family of about 2,000 species and are named for the predatory nature of their larva, which commonly trap ants and other small insects in pits dug into the ground. The antlion larva digs a funnel-shaped pit into which the larva buries itself with only its jaws exposed. Small insects that ventures over the edge of the sandy pit slips to the bottom and is seized by the sickle-like jaws of the antlion. The larvae of some species ambush prey from a hiding place instead of making a pit. Other Insects Antlion (Euroleon nostras) Antlions are in a family of about 2,000 species and are named for the predatory nature of their larva, which commonly trap ants and other small insects in pits dug into the ground. The antlion larva digs a funnel-shaped pit into which the larva buries itself with only its jaws exposed. Small insects that ventures over the edge of the sandy pit slips to the bottom and is seized by the sickle-like jaws of the antlion. The larvae of some species ambush prey from a hiding place instead of making a pit.

The Tachinid Fly (Cylindromyia brassicaria) is a European fly known for its parasitic habits, specifically its larvae acting as endoparasitoids of various shield bugs. Flies Tachinid Fly (Cylindromyia brassicaria) The Tachinid Fly (Cylindromyia brassicaria) is a European fly known for its parasitic habits, specifically its larvae acting as endoparasitoids of various shield bugs.

The Cone-headed Bush-cricket (Ruspolia nitidula), also known as the Large Conehead, is a nocturnal insect with a large, slender, green body. Native to Southern Europe, this bush-cricket has been expanding its range northward, likely due to climate change. Grasshoppers & Bush-crickets Cone-headed Bush-cricket (Ruspolia nitidula) The Cone-headed Bush-cricket (Ruspolia nitidula), also known as the Large Conehead, is a nocturnal insect with a large, slender, green body. Native to Southern Europe, this bush-cricket has been expanding its range northward, likely due to climate change.