The ruby-tailed wasp (Chrysis ignita agg) is one of the UK’s most striking insects, and has an equally fascinating breeding habit. As a parasitic wasp, it has earned the nickname ‘cuckoo wasp’ for…

A flash of shimmering blue on a sunny Hampshire day is always a treat - but not all blue butterflies are the same. Three species you may see are the holly blue, the common blue and the chalkhill…

Look closely along a sunny woodland ride or heathland stream this summer and you may be lucky enough to spot one of Britain’s most spectacular insects - the golden-ringed dragonfly.

Right now, as gardens are in full bloom, an unexpected visitor can be found among the flowers: the rose chafer (Cetonia aurata). With its large, metallic-green body and creamy-white streaks along…

At this time of year, the quiet grasslands of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are hiding something remarkable - a moth that looks more like it belongs in a storybook than in the British…

The marmalade hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) is one of the most common and recognisable hoverflies in Britain.

As winter envelops the landscapes of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, a remarkable natural phenomenon unfolds unnoticed by many: the presence of moth eggs. Tucked away on branches and vegetation,…

While many of Hampshire's butterflies have long since hidden away for the winter, the red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) continues to surprise nature lovers with its hardy presence during the…

The wasp spider (Argiope bruennichi) is a striking and distinctive species of orb-weaving spider known for its bold, wasp-like appearance. They are found mostly in southern England but they are…

The leafcutter bee is a solitary bee known for its unique behaviour of cutting leaves to construct its nests. These bees play a vital role in pollination, making them important contributors to…