Explore the vast array of wild species to be found across the UK
Purple hairstreak
The purple hairstreak is an elusive butterfly with a brilliant purple sheen. It is entirely reliant on oak trees and can be spotted…
Brown argus
The brown argus favours open, chalk and limestone grasslands, but can also be spotted on coastal dunes, in woodland clearings and along…
White admiral
The white admiral is a striking black-and-white butterfly with a delicate flight that includes long glides. It prefers shady woodlands…
Ruby-tailed wasp
If seen up close, the glittering ruby-tailed wasp is, perhaps, one of the UK's most beautiful insects. A solitary wasp, it can be…
Common wasp
Wasps are well-known, and unfortunately not very well-loved! But give these black and yellow guys a chance, as they are important…
Honey bee
Honey bees are famous for the honey they produce! These easily recognisable little bees are hard workers, living in large hives made of…
Heath bumblebee
The heath bumblebee is not only found on heathland, but also in gardens and parks. It nests in small colonies of less than 100 workers…
Narrow-headed ant
A very rare ant, once found on heathland across southern England but now restricted to Scotland and Devon. It constructs distinctive…
Nursery web spider
A common spider of heathland and grassland, the nursery web spider has brown and black stripes running the length of its body. It is an…
Broad centurion
The broad centurion, or 'green soldier fly', is one of our most common soldier flies, and is often found in gardens. It has…
Downlooker snipefly
The downlooker snipefly gets its name from its habit of sitting on posts or sunny trees with its head facing down to the ground, waiting…
Twin-lobed deer-fly
Many of us have felt the painful bite of the twin-lobed deer-fly (a 'horse-fly') while out walking in damp grasses or woods.…
