Insects and Spiders - Insects 2

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Insects and Spiders - Insects 2

Insects have exoskeletons which means their skeletons are on the outside of their bodies. Not only does this protect the insect, it also keeps water inside their bodies so they don't dry out. Many insects can carry 50 times their own body weight. This is the equivalent of an adult human lifting two cars full of people!

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  1. What is the name of this insect?

    Photograph courtesy of Gilles San Martin
    • Order: Coleoptera
    • Family: Coccinellidae
    • One of our most-loved and cherished insects.
    • Widespread throughout the UK and very common in gardens whether rural, suburban or urban.
    • Welcomed by gardeners as they eat aphids, which are considered a pest.
    • Used as a logo by a publishing company, famous for children's books.

  2. What is the name of this insect?

    Photograph courtesy of JJ Harrison
    • Order: Hymenoptera
    • Genus: Vespula
    • Species: V. germanica
    • Is distinguished from the Common variety by three black dots on its face.
    • They build colonies which includes one queen and numerous workers.
    • The nest is made of chewed up plant fibres stuck together with saliva.
    • Nests can contain up to 3,000 individuals!

  3. What is the name of this insect?

    Photograph courtesy of Richard Bartz
    • Order: Odonata
    • Family: Calopterygidae
    • Genus: Calopteryx
    • Species: C. virgo
    • Males have purple-brown wings which become bluer as they get older.
    • Lifespan is approximately two years.
    • They prefer fast flowing streams and rivers.
    • Females can lay up to 300 eggs at any one time.

  4. What is the name of this insect?

    Photograph courtesy of www.commanster.eu/commanster
    • Order: Diptera
    • Family: Syrphidae
    • Genus: Platycheirus
    • Species: P. granditarsus
    • The distribution of this species is widespread and common.
    • Prefers wet meadows and the fringes of marshes, ponds and lakes.
    • Adults fly around tall vegetation and occasionally settle on the stems.
    • Partial to the flower Ranunculus.

  5. What is the name of this insect?

    Photograph courtesy of Rasbak
    • Order: Hymenoptera
    • Family: Apidae
    • Genus: Bombus
    • Species: B. lucorum
    • A large furry insect and they tend to keep themselves to themselves.
    • They can sting but only under prolonged provocation.
    • Males have no sting.
    • Some species are 'cuckoos' in that the female will take over an already established nest of another species.

  6. What is the name of this insect?

    Photograph courtesy of Simon A. Eugster
    • Order: Coleoptera
    • Family: Lucanidae
    • Genus: Lucanus
    • Species: L. cervus
    • A globablly threatened species, protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
    • Common in London, Thames Valley and Essex.
    • It is Britain's largest terrestrial insect.
    • Can be anything between 5-8 cms in length - and they can fly!

  7. What is the name of this insect?

    Photograph courtesy of G.-U. Tolkiehn
    • Order: Orthoptera
    • Family: Acrididae
    • Subfamily: Gomphocerinae
    • Genus: Chorthippus
    • Species: C. parallelus
    • This species is the only one of its type that can't fly.
    • They have incredibly strong leg muscles in order to leap.
    • The 'leap' is also a somersault.
    • They are known for singing by rubbing their hind legs against their forewings.

  8. What is the name of this insect?

    Photograph courtesy of IronChris
    • Order: Hymenoptera
    • Family: Formicidae
    • Genus: Lasius
    • Species: L. niger
    • The only species of its type regularly seen indoors.
    • They are harmless to humans without sting or formic acid.
    • Improve the soil by mixing it up and increasing its fertility.
    • Big colonies can contain up to 15,000 workers.

  9. Insect repellents generally don't work on this alien-looking insect - the pale giant horse-fly. However, the fly is not too keen on what?

    Photograph courtesy of Thomas Bresson
    • Order: Diptera
    • Family: Tabanidae
    • Genus: Tabanus
    • Species: T. bovinus
    • A relatively large insect for its type.
    • Adults are approximately 25-30 mm in length.
    • More than capable of dodging the flyswatt with ease!
    • They only fly on sunny days in hot weather.

  10. What is the name of this insect?

    Photograph courtesy of Mick E. Talbot
    • Order: Dermaptera
    • Family: Forficulidae
    • Genus: Forficula
    • Species: F. auricularia
    • A nocturnal insect that tends to hide during the day.
    • They are not fussy when it comes to food - plant or animal will suffice!
    • The adults of both male and female have a pincer-like 'tail'.
    • Generally speaking, not well-liked by humans.
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