Solitary bees: training for identification, surveys and monitoring
Event
Buglife are running a solitary bee workshop at RSPB Mersehead on the 23rd June. This free event is an opportunity to learn more about solitary bees, identification of some of the commonly seen species and how to survey and monitor them. …
Species of the Month: Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum (July 2025)
Blog
The southerly airflows hitting the UK in June brought an influx of migrant species, and some are easy to look out for in gardens. The Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum gets its name from both its behaviour and appearance, which resemble that of a …
Species of the Month: Lily Beetle Lilioceris lilii (June 2025)
Blog
For June, our species of the month is one for gardeners, and one that may not always be a particularly welcome find. The Lily Beetle Lilioceris lilii is a leaf beetle (family Chrysomelidae), a large group of often colourful beetles. The adult is 6-8mm …
Species of the Month: Common Frog Rana temporaria (March 2025)
Blog
The Common Frog Rana temporaria has been emerging from brumation and as many will have noticed begun to spawn. Our only resident for species of frog, the Common Frog, is easy to identify as having slippery smooth skin and very long back …
Species of the Month: Currant Shoot Borer Lampronia capitella (April 2024)
Blog
The Currant Shoot Borer Lampronia capitella is a rare moth in the UK with only a handful of known sites. There is only one know Scottish site in the Scottish Borders near Peebles and it is entirely possible that more populations could be …
Species of the Month: Green Cellar Slug Limacus maculatusis (September 2024)
Blog
A familiar species of gardens, compost heaps and woodland debris it may come as a surprise that the Green Cellar Slug Limacus maculatusis is a non-native species. There is a very similar closely related species called the Yellow Cellar Slug Limacus flavus which, whilst it was …
Species of the Month: Green Tiger Beetle Cicindela campestris (May 2024)
Blog
The Green Tiger Beetle Cicindela campestris is a distinctive species of ground beetle, the commonest and most widespread of five species of tiger beetle found in the UK. They are approximately 10-15mm in length and are easily recognised by their iridescent …
Species of the Month: Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina (May 2025)
Blog
Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina, also known as Townhall Clock, is a typical flower of mature and often ancient deciduous woodland, but may also be found in riparian woodland and along hedges. In many regions it is amongst a suite of species used as …
Species of the Month: Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata (December 2024)
Blog
Ladybirds hibernate during winter and often cluster communally in places relatively frost-free and with steady temperatures. It has become clear that many species have adapted well to the human environment with several using nooks and crevices in buildings. Perhaps surprisingly, …
Species of the Month: Purple Hairstreak Favonius quercus (November 2024)
Blog
You may be surprised to see a butterfly for the species of the month in November. Until fairly recently this was one of our most difficult butterflies to record due to it spending most of its time at the top …
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