Beautiful butterflies get more attention from the public – and from scientists
Research has shown that colourful and patterned species are the subject of more studies, and receive more conservation fundingLarge and beautiful butterflies attract far more attention than species that are smaller and dull. Now a new study has shown…
Country diary: A gleaming beetle that could be bad news for my garden favourites | Susie White
Allendale, Northumberland: On a hot autumn day, I see rosemary beetles here for the first time. This could be a problem for many thriving plantsThis year there have been several firsts in my garden: old lady, vestal and blood-vein moths attracted to the…
Country diary: A young shieldbug has found a safe place to hide – or so it hopes | Nic Wilson
Bedmond, Hertfordshire: The entire Serge Hill project is a haven for humans and wildlife, and there’s much to find in its collection of drought-tolerant plantsLooking across a swathe of golden oat grass to the Apple House, it seems almost inconceivable…
Big-eyed bugs and praying mantises: climate crisis drives new visitors to UK shores
Britain has seen an explosion of migrating insects – in some cases from as far as northern Africa It was a stifling evening in July and Matt Phelps was out for a stroll, when a piercing, whirring noise stopped him in his tracks. As an ecologist, Phelps…