Articles
100 articles on insects, identification, ecology, and the natural world.
Are Flea Beetles Harmful to Plants?
Flea beetles are tiny jumping beetles that can cause significant damage to brassicas, radishes, and other crops. Learn to identify them and protect your plants.
BehaviourHow Do Termites Build Their Mounds?
Explore the engineering marvels of termite mounds — from their ventilation systems and temperature regulation to the building materials and colony organisation ...
ScienceHow Do Crickets Make Sound?
Learn how crickets produce their characteristic chirping sound through stridulation, what the songs mean, and how temperature affects the chirp rate.
BehaviourHow Do Ants Build Their Colonies?
An in-depth look at how ants construct their colonies, from founding a nest to building elaborate tunnel networks, managing ventilation, and creating specialise...
BehaviourHow Do Beetles Defend Themselves?
A comprehensive look at the remarkable range of defensive strategies employed by beetles, from chemical weapons and armoured exoskeletons to mimicry, camouflage...
ScienceWhat Attracts Mosquitoes to Humans?
Explore the science behind mosquito attraction, from carbon dioxide and body heat to blood type and skin bacteria, and learn how to reduce your appeal.
SeasonalWhat Are the Most Common Insects in Summer?
Summer is peak insect season in the UK. Discover which species are most abundant and active during the warmest months.
EcologyThe Role of Insects in Decomposition
Explore how insects drive decomposition — from blowflies and carrion beetles to dung beetles and detritivores — recycling nutrients and sustaining ecosystems.
IdentificationWhat Are Thrips?
An introduction to thrips (order Thysanoptera), their minute size, fringed wings, plant-feeding habits, and significance as agricultural pests and occasional po...
Species GuidesWhat Are the Most Common Insects in the UK?
A guide to the most abundant and frequently encountered insect species in the United Kingdom, covering beetles, flies, ants, bees, butterflies, and other groups...
IdentificationHow to Tell Bees, Wasps and Hoverflies Apart
Bees, wasps, and hoverflies can look confusingly similar. Learn the key visual and behavioural differences to identify them confidently.
IdentificationWhat Are Shield Bugs?
A guide to identifying shield bugs (Pentatomidae) — their distinctive shape, biology, common UK species, and how to tell them apart from similar-looking insects...