Next week is National Insect Week (23-29 June) it is organised by the Royal Entomological Society and encourages people of all ages to learn more about insects.
Did you know that there are over one million species of insects in the world these are just the ones that have been discovered and named with possibly many more new species out there just waiting to be found? In the UK alone there are more than 24,000 species, they are very varied in appearance (shape, size and colour) and live quite differently in their own habitats, many go unnoticed in our day-to-day life, why not go and explore your patch to see what is living in your school garden or your garden at home.
Be prepared
Hopefully the sun will be shining but you may need waterproofs, old clothes and Wellingtons.
Equipment
A Minibeast/Insect Identification Guide, Camera, Magnifying Glass, Note Pad, Pencil and a suitable container (not airtight) to study your insects (release your insects as soon as possible and return them to where they were found, please take care not to injure the insects themselves or disturb their environment).
Where to look
Have a look under stones/rocks/plant pots/logs and rotting wood, in compost heaps and long grass, on the underside of leaves, on flower heads, in leaf litter and near ponds (always have an adult with you).
Dragonfly
- Dragonflies and Damselflies
- Ladybirds
- Grasshoppers/Crickets
- Beetles
- Butterflies
- Hoverflies
- Aphids/Greenfly
- Moths
- Lacewings
- Ants
- Wasps
- Bees
- Earwigs
- Flies
- Bugs
Elephant Hawk Moth
Bee and Bug Biome
Solitary Bee Hive
The Butterfly Biome
Common Green Grasshopper
Fritillary Butterfly
