Lists of insects of Great Britain facts for kids
Great Britain is home to over 20,000 different kinds of insects! These tiny creatures are super important for our planet. They help pollinate plants, break down dead stuff, and are a food source for many other animals. This page will introduce you to some of the main groups of insects you can find in Great Britain.
Contents
Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata)
Dragonflies and damselflies are ancient insects. They have been around for millions of years! You'll often spot them zipping around near water, like ponds, rivers, and lakes.
What makes them special?
These insects are amazing hunters. They have huge eyes that give them excellent vision. They also have two pairs of strong, see-through wings. Both dragonflies and damselflies catch other insects in the air to eat.
Life Cycle of Odonata
Their life starts in the water as nymphs. These nymphs live underwater for months, or even years, eating small aquatic creatures. When they are ready, they crawl out of the water, shed their skin, and become winged adults.
Grasshoppers, Crickets, Earwigs, and Cockroaches
This group includes some well-known insects that often make sounds or have unique features.
Grasshoppers and Crickets (Orthoptera)
Grasshoppers and crickets are famous for their jumping ability. They have strong back legs that help them leap far away from danger. Many species also "sing" by rubbing their legs or wings together. This sound is called stridulation. They use these songs to attract mates. Grasshoppers usually eat plants, while crickets might eat plants or other small insects.
Earwigs (Dermaptera)
Earwigs are easy to spot because of the pincer-like tools at the end of their bodies. These are called cerci. Don't worry, they rarely pinch humans! Earwigs often hide in damp, dark places. They usually eat decaying plants, but some might eat small insects.
Cockroaches (Dictyoptera)
While some cockroaches are known as pests, Great Britain also has native species that live outdoors. These wild cockroaches are usually found in leaf litter or under logs. They are important decomposers, helping to break down dead plant material.
Mayflies (Ephemeroptera)
Mayflies are delicate insects that spend most of their lives underwater. Their name, "Ephemeroptera," means "short-lived wings." This is because the adult mayfly lives for only a very short time, sometimes just a day or two!
Mayfly Life Cycle
Mayfly nymphs live in freshwater, feeding on algae and tiny bits of plant matter. They are an important food source for fish and other aquatic animals. When they are ready to become adults, they go through a unique stage called a "subimago." This is like a pre-adult stage where they have wings but are not quite mature. After a short rest, they shed their skin one more time to become a fully mature adult.
Flies (Diptera)
Flies are one of the largest and most diverse groups of insects. The word "Diptera" means "two wings." This is a key feature of true flies: they only have one pair of functional wings. Their second pair of wings has evolved into small, club-shaped organs called halteres, which help them balance during flight.
Types of Flies in Great Britain
- Hoverflies: Many hoverflies look like bees or wasps, but they are harmless. They are excellent pollinators, visiting flowers to drink nectar.
- Soldierflies: These flies are often brightly colored. Their larvae live in various places, including decaying plants or water.
- Conopid Flies: These flies are often seen visiting flowers. Their larvae are parasites of other insects, like bees and wasps.
Beetles (Coleoptera)
Beetles make up the largest order of insects on Earth! There are over 400,000 known species worldwide. The name "Coleoptera" means "sheathed wing." This refers to their hardened front wings, called elytra, which protect their delicate flying wings underneath.
Diversity of Beetles
Beetles come in an incredible range of shapes, sizes, and colors. They live in almost every habitat on Earth.
- Ladybirds: These colorful beetles are popular and often eat aphids, which are tiny plant pests.
- Stag Beetles: These are some of the largest beetles in Great Britain. The males have huge, antler-like jaws.
- Ground Beetles: These fast-moving beetles are often found on the ground, hunting other insects.
Bees, Wasps, Ants, and Related Insects (Hymenoptera)
This group includes some of the most important insects for our environment. Many are social insects, living in large colonies.
Bees
Bees are vital pollinators. They visit flowers to collect nectar and pollen, helping plants reproduce. Great Britain has many species of bees, including honey bees, bumblebees, and solitary bees.
Wasps
While some wasps can sting, most are not aggressive unless provoked. Many wasps are important predators, helping to control populations of other insects. Some wasps are also pollinators.
Ants
Ants are highly social insects that live in organized colonies. They build complex nests and work together to find food, care for their young, and defend their colony. Ants play a role in aerating soil and dispersing seeds.
Sawflies
Sawflies are often mistaken for wasps, but they are actually more closely related to bees. Their larvae look like caterpillars and feed on plants.
Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera)
Butterflies and moths are known for their beautiful, scaled wings. The word "Lepidoptera" means "scale wing."
Life Cycle of Lepidoptera
Both butterflies and moths go through complete metamorphosis. This means they start as an egg, hatch into a larva (a caterpillar), then form a pupa (chrysalis for butterflies, cocoon for moths), and finally emerge as an adult.
Butterflies vs. Moths
- Butterflies: Usually fly during the day, have club-shaped antennae, and often rest with their wings held upright.
- Moths: Mostly fly at night, have feathery or thread-like antennae, and usually rest with their wings flat or tent-like.
True Bugs (Hemiptera)
"True bugs" are a diverse group of insects. They all share a special mouthpart called a proboscis, which is like a straw used for piercing and sucking. Some true bugs suck plant juices, while others are predators that suck the fluids from other insects.
Types of True Bugs
- Shield Bugs: These bugs often have a shield-like shape. Many are plant feeders, but some are predators.
- Aquatic Bugs: Many true bugs live in water, like water boatmen and pond skaters. They are adapted to life on or in the water.
- Other Heteropteran Bugs: This large group includes many other types of bugs found in various habitats, from forests to grasslands.
