Tag Archives: insects

Mapping the way forward for Scotland’s pollinators

Posted on April 21, 2021 by NatureScot

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 →

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Scotland’s Giant Mozzies

Posted on December 7, 2020 by NatureScot

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 →

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The wasp and the ladybird

Posted on July 15, 2020 by NatureScot

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 →

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Marvellous Mining Bees

Posted on July 7, 2020 by NatureScot

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 →

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Moths on the move

Posted on May 5, 2020 by NatureScot

Mike Thornton, SNH Operations Officer for the Forth Area, describes how integral moths are to Scotland’s biodiversity, and why it’s crucial to know how their populations are changing. I lift the egg cartons out of the moth trap, slowly revealing … Continue reading →

Posted in Argyll National Nature Reserves, biodiversity, citizen science, climate change, conservation, Ecology, moth, science, Scottish Natural Heritage, SNH, survey, Volunteering | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Snails and grasshoppers on the menu at EU wild LIFE conference

Posted on September 18, 2018 by NatureScot

Spiders, bees, grasshoppers, snails and other creepy-crawlies are top of the bill at an International nature conference taking place in Scotland this week. Wildlife specialists and project managers from across the European Union (EU) are meeting in Stirling for a … Continue reading →

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Butterflies of the night, beautifully captured.

Posted on August 6, 2018 by NatureScot

Having a keen personal interest in macro photography, Caroline Anderson jumped at the chance to use her Volunteering Day to help reserve staff with a moth trap at Taynish National Nature Reserve. Caroline, a Unit Administrator based in our Lochgilphead … Continue reading →

Posted in Argyll National Nature Reserves, art, biodiversity, citizen science, conservation, Insects, moth, Nature in art, photography, Staff profile, Taynish NNR, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Meet the pot beetles, nature’s quirky architects

Posted on July 13, 2017 by NatureScot

Teams of volunteers led by Buglife and supported by SNH have recently rediscovered two species of pot beetles that have not been seen in Scotland for many years. Athayde Tonhasca introduces these lovely beetles with peculiar habits. The species that … Continue reading →

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Meet the secretive large velvet ant

Posted on May 4, 2017 by NatureScot

After an absence from the records of 32 years, the large velvet ant (Mutilla europaea) has been sighted again in Scotland by Dr Jenni Stockan from the James Hutton Institute. Athayde Tonhasca reveals the idiosyncrasies of this surprising insect. Velvet … Continue reading →

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Species of the month – the oak marble gall wasp

Posted on October 12, 2016 by NatureScot

You would never imagine that tiny, obscure wasps like this could have a place in British history, or indeed have contributed to the culture and literacy of the Western world. But follow Athayde Tonhasca’s thread. Let there be gall enough … Continue reading →

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