A scientific expedition to Angola’s remote Lisima plateau has uncovered dozens of species that were previously unknown to science. Seen as one of Africa’s last great biodiversity blank spots, the in-depth exploration of the upper Cassai catchment area on Angola’s eastern plateau revealed eight undescribed dragonfly species, three new grasshopper species, and around 60 new moths and butterflies. The findings, […]
Tag: butterflies
Get set for a painted lady summer: big year for orange butterflies in Britain
If you’ve spotted a pale orange butterfly dashing at frenetic pace through streets, fields or gardens, you’ve noticed the new migrants that will add colour to the summer in record-breaking numbers. What is expected to be the largest arrival of painted lady butterflies in Britain for 17 years is under way after heatwaves and favourable winds ushered thousands if […]
“Over the next 6 months, it will prey on the defenceless larvae until it’s 100 times its original size.” This undercover carnivore may look harmless – but don’t be fooled
The large blue butterfly (Phengaris arion), the largest and rarest of the UK’s blue butterflies, has a remarkable lifecycle. It relies entirely on a single species of red ant (Myrmica sabuleti) to survive. In the third episode of the BBC TV series Wild Isles, Grasslands, David Attenborough narrates a chilling chain of events. “This caterpillar is one of the very few in the […]
Forget Harry Potter these creatures have real-life invisibility cloaks… 10 weird, translucent animals you can see right though
There are many varied and clever forms of camouflage in the natural world, from the colour-changing prowess of chameleons and cuttlefish to the mimicry of orchid mantis‘ and leaf-tailed geckos, to the eye-boggling spots and stripes of zebra and tigers. But one of the weirdest has to be the transparent animal. Why are some animals transparent? One of the most out-the-box solutions to […]
“It’s up to 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide.” 10 most poisonous animals in the world, from frogs to sharks – and even butterflies. Yes that’s right…
It’s a tough world out there and many animals have had to arm themselves. One capacity that has evolved time and time again is toxic weaponry – venoms and poisons. Although oft confused, there is a clear distinction between these two forms of toxins. Whereas venoms are produced in specialised tissues and are delivered to predators or prey through […]
UK’s smallest bird of prey among 200 species at risk of extinction, study finds
The merlin, Britain’s smallest bird of prey, is one of more than 200 species that will become extinct in the UK if action is not taken to curb emissions and unsustainable land use, a study has claimed. According to the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), there is a 20-year window in which decisions […]
“It’s classic wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Meet the most cunning and deceptive animals and plants that are masters of deadly disguises
Mimicry can be found everywhere you look, or listen, in the natural world. Many species copy the signals or cues of others in order to gain advantages. Scientists continue to be fascinated by the study of these evolutionary adaptations that were first described in the 19th century. What is honest mimicry? In honest mimicry, two […]
Wildlife Crossings: A Win-Win for Wildlife and Drivers
Who hasn’t seen an animal on the side of the road, struck by a vehicle? Collisions with vehicles are a leading cause of mortality for various species and are the result of the fragmentation of wildlife habitats. Roads and other infrastructures impede animals’ movement and ecological connectivity. Animals depend on this connectivity in their habitats […]