Insects & invertebrates
“It's like bringing them back from the dead”: singing cicadas return to UK after three-decade absence
Once considered extinct, the New Forest cicada is back on British soil thanks to an ambitious reintroduction project.
What’s the most common spider in Britain?
While there are lots of commonly found species of spider in the UK, there’s one that’s more likely to darken your doorstep…
“Astonishing” and “rare” explosion of small blue butterflies recorded in Scottish Highlands
Over 500 small blue butterflies were spotted at a single site in Scotland, more than doubling the previous year's count.
What’s the biggest and deadliest wasp in the world – and has it ever been seen in Britain?
It has a terrifying 6mm stinger, but has the 'murder hornet' ever been spotted in the UK?
Why is the only British cicada so rare?
Just why has Britain's cicadas disappeared - and could they come back?
Why aren’t Britain’s insects better adapted to rain?
British insects are better adapted to wet wet wether than their Mediterranean cousins, but that doesn't mean they like the rain...
What’s the most common insect in Britain?
There are believed to be as many as 10 million species of insect on Earth – but which is the most common insect to be found in the UK?
No Mow May 2025: Why it's time to let the weeds grow
Want to help the wildlife in your garden? All you have to do this month is… nothing. Welcome to No Mow May 2025
Extremely rare spider spotted in London for the first time ever
It's only the fourth time the species has been recorded in the UK in the past 30 years.
2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies, new data shows – here’s why
A butterfly emergency has been announced, following one of the worst-ever years of the Big Butterfly Count.
10 terrifying and gruesome insects, including one that liquifies its prey’s innards and sucks them dry
Grisly horror film with a bloodthirsty plot, or just another bug-eat-bug day in the undergrowth? Gail Ashton shines a light on the brutal world of our carnivorous mini-beasts
This imposter flicks parasitic maggots into bee nests and is often confused with a mosquito – meet this extraordinary insect
Despite appearances, the bee-fly isn't actually a bee – and it's developed a rather gruesome way to ensure its survival.
Spider beach: the abandoned military site in England now ruled by arachnids
If you like spiders and usual landscapes, then you'll love Orford Ness. Experts from the British Arachnological Society recently surveyed the remote shingle spit on the Suffolk coast and found it positively crawling with arachnids. But there was more...
See into the astonishing world of bugs with these award-winning photos
From a dragonfly saying goodbye to its old skin to the hirsute face of a flower bee, here are some of the best British images from 2024's Royal Entomological Society Photography Competition
Newly discovered ‘zombie’ fungus, that infects and kills cave spiders, named after Sir David Attenborough
The parasitic fungus was first found on an orb-weaving cave spider during filming of the BBC's Winterwatch series in Northern Ireland
Why do we find spiders scary?
Why are lots of people scared of spiders? Richard Jones investigates
This weird, indestructible animal can survive anything, from being microwaved to going to space. Meet the ultimate survivor
Meet on e of the toughest animals in the world - tardigrades
A spider that changes colour and a stick insect that breaths through its tail – meet Britain's weirdest bugs
Keep your eyes peeled in the wilds of Britain for these extraordinary insects
Scientists are breeding huge leeches in London – and soon they're going to release them
The researchers are trying to save the UK’s largest native leech from extinction.
Does the UK have venomous spiders? 'Um' yes...
All UK spiders are venomous, says Fergus Collins, but that doesn't mean we have to fear them as their venom is unlikely to affect us
Butterflies at crisis point: Survey shows shocking decline in numbers and records lowest-ever numbers
A wildlife charity has called on the Government to declare a ‘Nature Emergency’ after its annual Big Butterfly Count saw lowest numbers on record
Where does all the insect poo go?
Wondering why the sky isn't full of in sect poo, or the ground not covered in the lovely stuff? We explain what happens to insect poo
Does Britain have any scorpions? Yes, surprisingly...
Surely Britain doesn't have any scorpions? Well... you may be surprised...
What is Britain's largest flying insect? Here's a clue - it has an impressive wingspan of 130mm
Richard Jones takes a look at the contenders for the title of Britain's biggest flying insect
