Bumble bees are commonly seen, but they are not all easy to identify. Most of the UK’s 25 species are social bees, but 6 species are cuckoo bees and these do not make their own nests, but lay their eggs in the nest of their host bee which they often resemble. In the Wyre are we [...]
Butterflies in the family Pieridae found in the Wyre Forest are Wood White, Clouded Yellow, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White and Orange-tip.
There are several skippers found in the Wyre Forest – Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Large Skipper, Dingy Skipper and Grizzled Skipper.
Butterflies found in the Wyre Forest that belong to this family are the Green Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, White-letter Hairstreak, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Common Blue and Holly Blue.
The Nymphalid brown butterflies found in Wyre are – Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Small Heath. The caterpillars of all these butterflies feed on grasses.
Fritillaries that can be found breeding in the Wyre Forest are the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Silver-washed Fritillary. The caterpillars all feed on violet plants.
The following Vanessid butterflies from the family Nymphalidae are to be found in the Wyre Forest: White Admiral, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma.
There are 24 species of ladybirds in the UK and many of them are found in Wyre. Some species are very variable, such as the Two-spot, Harlequin, Ten-spot and Fourteen-spot Ladybirds, and identification is not always easy.
Most of the Tephritoidea have patterned wings which gives rise to their common name – Picture Winged Flies. They are small and easily overlooked. Many are associated with plants in the Asteraceae (Compositae) or daisy family. The best place to search for these flies is around the plants on which they lay their eggs. Some [...]
Shieldbugs get their name from their shield-like shape. They are heteropteran bugs and all have wings and can fly. Some emit a strong odour when disturbed, giving them their alternative name of stinkbugs! Most overwinter as adults, and some darken their colour during that time. The nymphs can look very different from the adults. Most [...]
