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Category Archives: Insects
Mapping the way forward for Scotland’s pollinators
Our blog today looks at one of the many projects NatureScot is working on to improve the future for our vital pollinating insects. Cameron, one of this year’s NatureScot graduate placements who is mapping Scotland’s pollinator-friendly habitats, tells us more … Continue reading
Posted in bees, biodiversity, Insects, Uncategorized
Tagged biodiversity, flowers, graduate placement, Habitat Map of Scotland, Habitats, insects, mapping, nature, NatureScot, pollinators, Scotland
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A blizzard of butterflies – “an incredible day” counting northern brown argus
The northern brown argus, at this time of year, is in its twilight months as a hungry caterpillar. The larvae will begin to pupate in May and emerge as butterflies to brighten up small patches of the Scottish countryside through … Continue reading
Scotland’s Giant Mozzies
We’ve had several reports recently from people who have been attacked by ‘giant mosquitos’, asking whether this is ‘normal’ in Scotland. The short answer is yes, it is normal, there are several native species of mosquito in Scotland. Some species … Continue reading
Posted in Insects, science, Uncategorized
Tagged insects, mosquito bites, mosquitoes, NatureScot, Scotland
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The wasp and the ladybird
Photographer in residence at St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Pauline Smith, not only takes awesome wildlife photos, she writes fascinating blog posts too! Today she looks at the intricate adaptations and evolution of mind and body-controlling parasites, through the very … Continue reading
Marvellous Mining Bees
The discovery of mining bees in Simon Ritchie‘s parents’ garden inspired him to read-up on these scarce burrowing insects. There are more than 1,300 species of mining bee around the world. However, only a fraction of these species are known … Continue reading
Posted in bees, gardens, Insects, National Nature Reserves, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, Uncategorized
Tagged bees, buffish minining bee, gardens, insects, mining bees, nature, nature reserves, NatureScot, NNR, pollinators, Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve
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Ponds for all!
Man-made mini-wetlands across Scotland provide oases for a wide range of wildlife in urban areas. To mark World Biodiversity Day, David O’ Brien from our Biodiversity team took a stroll around his nearest SuDS pond to see what he could … Continue reading
Posted in amphibians, biodiversity, Flood management, Flowers, gardens, Insects, Orchids, Sustainable Drainage Systems, Uncategorized, urban nature, wild flowers
Tagged biodiversity, damselflies, marsh marigolds, NatureScot, Orchids, ponds, Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, SuDS, urban nature, World Biodiversity Day
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Ardnamurchan’s unique day-flying moth
Each year in early summer, volunteers from various parts of Scotland travel west to survey a rare, striking and elusive day-flying moth – the New Forest burnet, at the only site it occurs in the UK. Since becoming extinct in … Continue reading
Posted in biodiversity, citizen science, climate change, conservation, Ecology, Flowers, Insects, Land management, moth, Projects, Protected Areas, Research, Scotland's Protected Places, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, Species Action Framework, SSSI, Uncategorized, wildlife management, woodlands
Tagged Ardnamurchan, biodiversity, endemic, endenism, moths, NatureScot, New Forest burnet moth, Protected Areas, ScotNature, Scottish Natural Heritage, scottish nature, SNH, SSSI
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Bringing butterflies and bees back to Skolie Burn SSSI
Since starting a Community Woodland group, Ian Records’ life has changed completely – dropping leaflets, knocking on doors, writing up woodland management plans and doing flower surveys. Here, he tells how a protected area can galvanise a local community to take action to improve their local area for people and wildlife. Continue reading
Posted in Access, bees, biodiversity, citizen science, Community engagement, conservation, Ecology, Flowers, Insects, Land management, meadow, Orchids, plants, Projects, Scotland's Protected Places, SNH, SSSI, Uncategorized, Volunteering, wild flowers
Tagged bees, butterflies, citizen science, Community Groups, Edinburgh, grassland, meadows, nature, Orchids, pollinators, regeneration, Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Site of special scientific interest, Skolie Burn, SNH, SSSI, UK, wild flowers, woodland regeneration
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Tiny shells and hidden animals
Do you like snails? The gastropod molluscs commonly found in your garden are probably the first thing that spring to mind. Or maybe you smell garlic and see a yummy plate of l’escargot. However, this small word covers an array … Continue reading
Posted in biodiversity, climate change, Insects, SNH, Uncategorized
Tagged climate change, conservation, Habitats, molluscs, Protected Areas, SAC, Scottish Natural Heritage, snails, SNH, SSSI
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Trick or treat?
Stuck for ideas for your Halloween costume? You could do worse than seek inspiration from the masters of disguise that inhabit the natural world all around us. Many of our insects and pollinators have evolved a variety of weird and … Continue reading
Posted in Insects
Tagged butterflies, camouflage, caterpillars, Halloween, hoverflies, mimicry, pollinators, zombie fungus
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Scotland's Nature 
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