INSECTS – well represented in coastal habitats; the Green Tiger Beetle Cicindela campestris is a typical and showy representative.
INTRODUCING TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATES
A wide range of terrestrial invertebrates is found around our coasts, providing a wealth of wildlife in addition to that found on the seashore. Some groups have marine relatives that also live on the seashore, while others are strictly tied to land.
THE RANGE OF TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATES
Some invertebrates are found only in the sea, such as sponges, jellyfish and starfish. Many groups have relatives from both the marine and terrestrial worlds, including annelid worms, crustaceans and molluscs. However, a few invertebrate groups are strictly terrestrial, with many coastal, but no truly marine, representatives.
COASTAL INVERTEBRATES
INSECTS – well represented in coastal habitats; the Green Tiger Beetle Cicindela campestris is a typical and showy representative.
CENTIPEDES – Strigamia maritima is a typical strandline species.
CRUSTACEANS – the Pill Woodlouse Armadillidium vulgare is a common strandline representative of a group with numerous marine relatives.
MILLIPEDES – although widespread inland, the Striped Millipede Ommatoiulus sabulosus is common and obvious under strandline debris.
MOLLUSCS – snails, and slugs such as this orange form of the Large Black Slug Arion ater, are common in coastal grassland.
SPIDERS – the Zebra Spider Salticus scenicus is widespread inland but common on coastal timber and stones, along with several similar species.
Invertebrates, and insects in particular, are among the most numerous and diverse groups of organisms on the planet. Little wonder then that they are well represented on the coast. Most widespread species of terrestrial invertebrates are found both inland and near the coast; in a book of this size it would be impossible to include all these representatives, and it would divert the book’s function away from its coastal core. Some invertebrates are, however, strictly coastal while others thrive best within sight of the sea; these species are included. Terrestrial invertebrates covered by this book include the following: groups with both marine and terrestrial representatives – crustaceans and molluscs; and strictly terrestrial invertebrates – insects, centipedes, millipedes and spiders.
Almost all Orthoptera (grasshoppers and relatives) are commonest near the coast, but the Lesser Marsh Grasshopper is found only within sight of the sea.
Insects are the most conspicuous of our terrestrial invertebrates, and the most diverse. It is slightly odd then that they have never colonised the marine world. In classification terms, insects are invertebrates (animals without backbones) belonging to a subdivision called Arthropoda, animals that have an external skeleton and paired, jointed limbs; muscles allowing movement are internal.
An adult insect’s body is divided into three main regions: the head, which supports many sensory organs as well as the mouthparts; the abdomen, to which three pairs of legs and paired wings are attached (wings are absent in some insects); and the segmented abdomen, within which many of the main body organs are contained.
RESIDENTS AND MIGRANTS
A Silver Y moth, newly arrived from France.
Some insects lead rather sedentary lives but, as a whole, the presence of wings and many species’ ability to fly actively means that many are extremely mobile. Flight is particularly characteristic of butterflies and moths. Most species are rather territorial and do not stray far from their favoured habitats. A few, however, are long-distance migrants, reaching British shores from mainland Europe; understandably, they are commonest on the coast, their first point of arrival. In the case of some species, migrants boost resident populations already established here. But any Painted Lady butterfly and Silver Y moth you see on the coast is likely to have migrated from mainland Europe.
Clouded Yellow Colias croceus Wingspan 50mm
Clouded Yellow, underwing
Fast-flying, active butterfly that seldom settles for long. ADULT has dark-bordered upperwings that are yellow in female, orange-yellow in male. Both sexes have yellow underwings with few dark markings. LARVA is green and feeds on Lucerne Medicago sativa. STATUS Summer migrant in varying numbers. Very common on coasts in some years.
Large White Pieris brassicae Wingspan 60mm
Large White, male
Large White, larva
Large White, female
Our largest ‘white’ butterfly. ADULT has yellowish underwings. Upperwings are creamy white with a black tip to forewing; female also has 2 spots on forewing. Flies May–Sep. LARVA is black and yellow, and feeds on cabbage family members. STATUS Common and widespread; migrants boost numbers on S coasts in summer.
Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae Wingspan 42mm
Small Tortoiseshell, larvae
Wayside species and common on coasts. Sun-loving and fond of basking. ADULT has upperwings marbled orange, yellow and black; underwings are smoky brown. Flies Mar–Oct with 2 or 3 broods; last brood hibernates. LARVA is yellow and black; gregarious, and feeds on Common Nettle. STATUS Has declined in many areas but still common on coasts in the S.
Peacock Inachis io Wingspan 60mm
Peacock, larva
Distinctive and familiar visitor to coastal flowers. ADULT has smoky-brown underwings and maroon upperwings with bold eye markings. Flies Jul–Sep and again in spring after hibernation. Sometimes hibernates indoors or in sheds and outbuildings. LARVA is blackish with spiky bristles; lives in clusters on Common Nettle. STATUS Common and widespread except in the N.
Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Wingspan 60mm
Active, fast-flying butterfly. ADULT has upperwings marbled pinkish buff, white and black; underwings are buffish with a similar pattern to upperwing. LARVA is blackish with spiky bristles; feeds on thistles. STATUS Summer migrant in variable numbers; most numerous near coasts. Sometimes breeds but does not survive winter.
Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm
Red Admiral, newly-emerged Adult
Sun-loving wayside butterfly. ADULT has marbled smoky-grey underwings, and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Seen in many months but commonest Jul–Aug. LARVA is blackish with spiky bristles; feeds on Common Nettle and lives within a tent of stitched-together leaves. STATUS Seen mostly as a I summer migrant, and commonest near coasts; adults hibernate in small numbers.
Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas Wingspan 25mm
Attractive open-country species. ADULT has variable orange and dark brown pattern on upperwings; underwings have a similar pattern to upperwings but dark brown is replaced by grey-buff. Flies May–Sep in 2 or 3 broods. LARVA is green and feeds on Sheep’s Sorrel. STATUS Locally common.
Common Blue Polyommatus icarus Wingspan 32mm
Common Blue, male
Common Blue, female
Our most widespread blue butterfly. ADULT male has blue upperwings; female’s are usually brown, but sometimes tinged blue in middle. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with dark spots. Flies Apr–Sep in successive broods. LARVA is green and feeds on trefoils. STATUS Common in grassy places, especially near coasts in the S.
Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia Wingspan 40mm
Beautifully marked butterfly. ADULT has orange-brown upperwings; underwings are creamy white and orange-buff. Flies May–Jun but active only in sunshine. LARVA feeds gregariously on Sea Plantain. STATUS Very locally common on undercliffs on the Isle of Wight and in S Hampshire.
Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja Wingspan 60mm
Fast and powerful flier; visits thistles and knapweeds. ADULT has orange-brown upperwings; underside of hindwing has greenish scaling. Flies Jul–Aug. LARVA feeds on violets. STATUS Widespread but local on sand dunes and grassy cliffs in Britain and Ireland.
Wall Brown Lasiommata megera Wingspan 45mm
Colourful, sun-loving butterfly. ADULT has orange-brown upperwings and a fritillary-like appearance, but shows small eye-spots on wings. Double-brooded, flying Apr–May and Jul–Sep. LARVA feeds on grasses. STATUS Widespread but declining and now rather scarce; least so on coasts in S Britain.
Grayling Hipparchia semele Wingspan 50mm
Sun-loving butterfly that sits with its wings folded and angled to the sun to cast the least shadow. ADULT has beautifully patterned underwings with an orange forewing showing 2 eye-spots. Flies Jun–Aug. LARVA feeds on grasses. STATUS Widespread, favouring warm, dry places, especially sparsely vegetated rocky coasts in SW Britain.
Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina Wingspan 50mm
Meadow Brown, underwing
Meadow Brown, female
Classic grassland butterfly. ADULT has brown upperwings; male has a small orange patch on forewing containing an eye-spot; orange patch is larger in female. Flies Jun–Aug. LARVA is green and feeds on grasses. STATUS Common and widespread, often locally abundant in coastal grassland.
Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus Wingspan 30mm
Small grassland butterfly. ADULT seldom reveals upperwings. Underside of forewing is orange with an eye-spot; hindwing is marbled grey, brown and buff. Double-brooded, flying May–Jun and Aug–Sep. LARVA Feeds on grasses. STATUS Widespread, but restricted to unimproved grassland and locally common only in the S, especially near coasts.
Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris Wingspan 25mm
Has an active, buzzing flight; often visits grassland thistles. Rests with wings held at an angle. ADULT has orange-brown upperwings and orange-buff underwings. Brown underside to antennal tip allows separation from similar Essex Skipper. Flies Jul–Aug. LARVA is green; feeds on various grasses. STATUS Common and widespread.
Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola Wingspan 25mm
Similar to Small Skipper but underside to antennal tips is black. Has a similar buzzing flight. ADULT has orange-brown upperwings and orange-buff underwings. Flies Jun–Jul. LARVA is green; feeds on various grasses. STATUS Locally common in the S.
Lulworth Skipper Thymelicus acteon Wingspan 28mm
Subtly attractive skipper with an active, buzzing flight. ADULT has khaki-brown upperwings. Forewing has a crescent of pale spots like a paw-print; markings are brighter on female than on male. Flies Jun–Jul. LARVA feeds on grasses. STATUS Very local in coastal grassland from Purbeck in Dorset to E Devon.
Large Skipper Ochlodes faunus Wingspan 34mm
Large Skipper, underwing
Active butterfly that often holds its wings at an angle at rest. ADULT has dark brown upperwings with pale markings. Underwings are buffish orange with paler spots. Flies Jun–Jul. LARVA is green; feeds on grasses. STATUS Common and widespread in coastal grassland in England and Wales.
Thrift Clearwing Synansphecia muscaeformis Length 12–15mm
Day-flying moth that is active only in sunshine. Rests on flowers of its larval foodplant; males are attracted to specific pheromone lures. ADULT has a dark body with yellow markings. Wings are partly transparent. Flies Jun–Jul. LARVA feeds on roots of Thrift. STATUS Locally common on sea cliffs in W England and Wales with extensive areas of Thrift.
Hummingbird Hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum Wingspan 45mm
Day-flying species that hovers with an audible hum and collects nectar using its long tongue. ADULT has brown forewings and an orange patch on hindwings; note white on sides of abdomen. Flies May–Oct. LARVA is pale green with a longitudinal white line, white spots and a relatively small bluish ‘horn’ at tail end. Feeds on bedstraws. Seen only occasionally in Britain, mostly in the S. STATUS Migrant visitor from mainland Europe in summer, in variable numbers; in some years it is common in coastal areas.
Convolvulus Hawkmoth Agrius convolvuli Wingspan 100–110mm
Impressive moth. Rests on fences and posts in daytime. Feeds by hovering at large-mouthed flowers (such as ginger lilies Hedychium sp.), drinking nectar through its long proboscis. Feeds from dusk onwards on warm nights. ADULT has a marbled grey forewing. Pink-flushed hindwings and pink-barred abdomen are hidden at rest but exposed if moth is alarmed. Flies Jun–Oct. LARVA is green or brown with diagonal stripes and a ‘horn’ at tail end. Feeds on bindweeds. STATUS Regular migrant, mostly seen near coasts.
Brown-tail Euproctis chrysorrhea Wingspan 35–40mm
Distinctive moth. ADULT is white and fluffy-looking. Abdomen is tipped with brown hairs. Flies Jul–Aug. LARVA is hairy and brown with red and white tufts. Hairs cause skin rash. Feeds in a communal web on Common Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and Blackthorn Prunus spinosa. STATUS Locally common on S and E coasts of England.
Garden Tiger Arctia caja Wingspan 50–65mm
Broad-winged moth. ADULT has a variable brown and white pattern on forewings; dark-spotted orange hindwings are revealed in alarm. Flies Jul–Aug. LARVA is hairy; feeds on herbaceous plants. STATUS Once widespread, now only locally common, mainly in rough coastal grassland.
Cream-spot Tiger Arctia villica Wingspan 55mm
Attractive moth. ADULT has black and white forewings; these conceal yellow and black hindwings unless moth is disturbed. Flies May–Jul. LARVA is brown and hairy, and feeds on herbaceous plants. STATUS Locally common in coastal grassland.
Six-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae Length 18–22mm
Six-spot Burnet, larva and pupal cocoon
Six-spot Burnet, mating pair
Distinctive day-flying moth. ADULT has metallic greenish-blue forewings with 6 red spots, and red hindwings. Flies Jul–Aug. LARVA is yellowish with black dots; feeds on bird’s-foot trefoils. STATUS Locally common, sometimes abundant, on grassy sea cliffs and dunes.
Silver Y Autographa gamma Length 20–22mm
Distinctive moth. Flies by day as well as after dark. ADULT has marbled grey-brown forewings with a diagnostic white ‘Y’ marking. Flies May–Oct. LARVA feeds on low-growing plants. STATUS Widespread and common migrant from S Europe.
Bristletail Petrobius maritimus Length 15–20mm
Wingless, scuttling insect. ADULT has an elongate, rather flattened and segmented body, covered in metallic scales. Rear end has 3 long, bristly ‘tails’. STATUS Locally common on rocky shores above the high-tide line, in sea caves and on damp, shady rock overhangs.
Springtails Order Collembola Length 2–4mm
Minute wingless insects whose specific identification is best left to experts. ADULTS have a rather hunchbacked body, relatively long antennae and a forked appendage at rear end with which they can spring into the air to escape danger. STATUS Locally common under strandline debris.
Dusky Cockroach Ectobius lapponicus Length 10–12mm
Flattened, scuttling insect. Flies in sunny weather. ADULT has long antennae and tough grey-brown forewings that cover abdomen. Seen mainly Jun–Aug. STATUS Locally common in coastal grassland; easily overlooked.
Common Earwig Forficula auricularia Length 13mm
Unmistakable flightless insect. ADULT has a shiny brown body. Pincer-like cerci are curved in male but straight in female. STATUS Locally common. Mostly nocturnal. Found under strandline debris during daytime.
Cepero’s Groundhopper Tetrix ceperoi Length 9–13mm
Tiny grasshopper relative. Hops well and can fly. ADULT has broad ‘shoulders’ and long wings that extend beyond long pronotum. Colour is variable but typically marbled grey and brown. STATUS Coastal; restricted to bare, damp ground in S England and S Wales.
Mottled Grasshopper Myrmeleotettix maculatus Length 15–18mm
Mottled Grasshopper, female
Mottled Grasshopper, male
Small, stout grasshopper. ADULT colour varies from green to brown (sometimes tinged red) but body always looks marbled. Has inflected, angular lines on pronotum. Tips of antennae are clubbed in male, swollen in female. Male is smaller than female. STATUS Locally common on dunes.
Meadow Grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus Length 17–23mm
Meadow Grasshopper, male
Meadow Grasshopper, female
Distinctive grasshopper. ADULT has a gently incurved pronotom. Female is much larger than male and has very short forewings (less than half abdomen length). Male’s wings are only marginally shorter than abdomen. STATUS Widespread and common in grassy places.
Lesser Marsh Grasshopper Chorthippus albomarginatus Length 15–21mm
Lesser Marsh Grasshopper, female
Lesser Marsh Grasshopper, male
Distinctive coastal species. ADULT has a gently incurved pronotum. Recalls Meadow Grasshopper but forewing is much longer (still does not reach tip of abdomen) and shows a bulge near base on anterior margin. Female is much larger than male. STATUS Restricted to coastal grassland and dunes.
Grey Bush-cricket Platycleis albopunctata Length 20–24mm
Grey Bush-cricket, male
Grey Bush-cricket, female
Distinctive insect. ADULT has a mainly marbled grey-brown body with a yellow underside to abdomen; female has an upcurved blackish ovipositor. Wings are fully formed. STATUS Favours warm coastal grassland, often on S-facing slopes. Restricted mainly to S England and S Wales. Often remains hidden during daytime.
Great Green Bush-cricket Tettigonia viridissima Length 45–55mm
Great Green Bush Cricket, female
Our largest bush-cricket. Male’s song is loud but hard to pinpoint. ADULT is bright green except for brown dorsal stripe. Female has a long, straight ovipositor. Both sexes have long wings. STATUS Local in coastal scrub and commonest on S coast from Dorset to Cornwall.
Roesel’s Bush-cricket Metrioptera roeselii Length 15–18mm
Roesel’s Bush-cricket, male
Roesel’s Bush-cricket, female
Well-marked insect. Male’s high-pitched, buzzing song is inaudible to many people. ADULT is usually brown with pale margins to sides of pronotum; sides of abdomen are sometimes yellowish but 3 yellow spots are always present. Most adults are short-winged and flightless; a few have fully formed wings and can fly. STATUS Formerly almost exclusively coastal, but species is now spreading inland. Favours rank grassland.
Long-winged Conehead Conocephalus discolor Length 17–20mm
Long-winged Conehead, male
Long-winged Conehead, female
Furtive and easily overlooked insect. ADULT has a slender body, mostly bright green except for brown stripe on dorsal surface of head and pronotum; brown wings are as long as abdomen and female has a straight ovipositor. STATUS Formerly exclusively coastal, but species is now spreading inland. Favours dense grassy habitats.
Short-winged Conehead Conocephalus dorsalis Length 16–18mm
Short-winged Conehead, male
Short-winged Conehead, female
Slender, furtive insect. When alarmed, aligns body, antennae and legs along stems and moves to opposite side from observer. ADULT has a green body with a brown dorsal stripe; forewings are reduced. Female has an upcurved ovipositor. STATUS Locally common only in S England and S Wales in coastal grassland; often associated with clumps of rushes.
Green Tiger Beetle Cicindela campestris Length 14mm
Active predator. Runs fast on the ground and flies well in sunshine. ADULT has green upperparts with pale spots on elytra, and shiny bronze legs and thorax margins. Seen May–Jul. STATUS Locally common on dune and coastal heaths.
Northern Dune Tiger Beetle Cicindela hybrida Length 15mm
Similar to Green Tiger Beetle. ADULT has bronzy upperparts with broad creamy-white marks on elytra. Seen Jun–Jul. STATUS Scarce, restricted to dunes on the Sefton coast in NW England. SIMILAR SPECIES Dune Tiger Beetle C. maritima is found in dunes around the Bristol Channel, and in N Wales and N Norfolk.
Sulphur Beetle Ctenopius sulphureus Length 8–11mm
Distinctive species. Usually seen on flowers and feeds on pollen. ADULT is bright yellow (the only pure yellow British beetle). Seen mainly May–Aug. STATUS Locally common in dry coastal habitats, particularly dunes and bare cliffs.
Shore Sexton Beetle Necrodes littoralis Length 21–23mm
Impressive beetle. ADULT has a black body; antennae are mostly dark, palest towards tip. Hind tibiae are incurved; both elytra bear a ‘pimple’. Seen mostly May–Oct. STATUS Common and widespread. Mainly nocturnal but sometimes found by turning over rotting tideline debris, especially animal corpses.
Burying Beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides Length 18–21mm
Distinctive beetle. ADULT is mostly black but with orange markings on elytra; anterior pair form a band, posterior pair often reduced to large spots. Antennae are clubbed and dark. Seen mostly May–Oct. STATUS Common and widespread. Mostly nocturnal; sometimes found by turning over animal corpses.
Paederus littoralis Length 8–9mm
One of several so-called rove beetles. ADULT has an elongated black and red body. STATUS Widespread and common in open coastal habitats and on cliffs. Seen mainly May–Oct. An active hunter but also found under strandline debris or by turning over stones.
Rose Chafer Cetonia aurata Length 17mm
Colourful beetle, often found in flowers. Moves in a cumbersome manner. ADULT has a shiny bronzy-green body; parallel-sided elytra are flecked with white lines and marks. Seen May–Sep. LARVA lives in rotting wood. STATUS Widespread and locally common, except in Scotland.
Seven-spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata Length 6–7mm
One of our most familiar and common ladybirds. ADULT has reddish-orange elytra and 7 black spots; head and thorax are black and white. Seen Mar–Oct. LARVA is blackish with orange spots; body has a spiky appearance. Active on plants, feeding on aphids. STATUS Found in a wide range of habitats; often common on coasts.
Phaleria cadaverina Length 6–8mm
Strandline beetle, found under rotting seaweed and in and under tideline corpses on dune beaches. Plays dead when disturbed. ADULT is oval in outline and flattened. Elytra are yellow-buff with dark markings, thorax is orange-buff; eyes are dark. LARVA is found alongside adult. STATUS Widespread but local, on coasts of England and Wales.
Oil Beetle Meloe proscarabeus Length 26mm
Unmistakable fat-bodied insect. Produces pungent oil when alarmed. ADULT has a shiny bluish-black body with small elytra that do not cover swollen abdomen. Seen Apr–Jun. LARVA lives inside nest of a solitary bee. STATUS Widespread but local in dry coastal grassland.
Dor Beetle Geotrupes stercorarius Length 15mm
Rotund beetle, often seen trundling across paths. ADULT has a shiny blue-black lozenge-shaped body and spiky-margined legs. LARVA feeds in horse or cow dung. Seen May–Jul. STATUS Locally common throughout, in grassland where grazing animals are kept.
Bloody-nosed Beetle Timarcha tenebricosa Length 20mm
Lumbering, flightless beetle, often seen plodding across paths. When disturbed, exudes drops of bright red blood-like fluid from mouth. ADULT is blackish and shiny, with proportionately large legs and ‘feet’, and an ovoid abdomen. Seen Apr–Jun. STATUS Widespread and fairly common in coastal grassland.
Broscus cephalotes Length 18–20mm
Ground beetle and an active predator. ADULT has a flattened black body. Elytra and thorax are smooth and slightly matt. STATUS Locally common in dunes and dry sandy soil near the coast.
Kelp Fly Coelopa frigida Length 10–15mm
One of several specialist flies associated with the strandline. Reluctant to fly more than a short distance. ADULT has a flattened body, allowing it to live among layers of rotting weed in strandline debris. LARVA feeds on rotting organic matter in strandline. STATUS Common, sometimes abundant, wherever seaweed collects.
Sand Wasp Ammophila sabulosa Length 20mm
Active insect with a ‘twitching’ gait when walking. Adult catches, immobilises and buries caterpillars (in a burrow in sand) as food for its larvae. ADULT has a slender, mostly black body with orange on anterior half of abdomen. Seen May–Aug. STATUS Locally common on coastal dunes
White-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lucorum Length 12–22mm
Red-tailed Bumblebee
White-tailed Bumblebee, mating pair
Usually the commonest of several bumblebee species seen near coasts. Nests in holes in the ground. ADULT has a bright yellow collar and band at front of abdomen. All individuals have a white-tipped abdomen. Seen Apr–Oct. STATUS Widespread and fairly common in coastal grassland. SIMILAR SPECIES Red-tailed Bumblebee B. lapidarius has a red-tipped abdomen.
Colletes succinctus Length to 12mm
One of several mining bees (genera Colletes and Andrena) that are found on coasts. Solitary, but lives in large aggregations, each bee mining a burrow in soft coastal banks and cliffs. Burrow (containing larva) is stocked with pollen from heathers (Erica and Calluna). ADULT has yellow-brown hairs on thorax and whitish bands on otherwise dark abdomen. STATUS Associated with coastal heathlands, in W and S Britain.
Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta Length 60mm
Well-marked dragonfly. ADULT has blue markings on abdomen but dark upper surface to thorax; note also yellow triangle at front end of abdomen. Flies Jun–Oct. STATUS Local resident; common around coastal freshwater pools. Numbers are boosted by influxes of migrants from Europe.
Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea Length 70mm
Large, active species. ADULT has broad green stripes on thorax and abdomen, with markings of similar coloration except for last 3 segments of male, where markings are blue. Flies Jun–Oct. STATUS Common near coastal freshwater pools in S England.
Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis Length 74mm
Easily recognised, even in flight. ADULT has a brown body and bronze wings; male also has blue spots on 2nd and 3rd segments of abdomen. Flies Jul–Sep. STATUS Commonest in SE England, near well-vegetated coastal freshwater pools. Patrols regular hunting territory around margins.
Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense Length 55mm
Well-marked dragonfly. ADULT male has blue eyes, a hairy thorax and blue spots on abdomen. Adult female has greenish eyes, yellow spots on abdomen, and a hairy thorax and abdomen. Flies May–Jun. STATUS Local, near coastal freshwater pools, mainly in SE England.
Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa Length 43mm
Broad-bodied Chaser, female
Broad-bodied Chaser, male
Actively hawks for insects but also perches for long periods. ADULT has a broad, flattened abdomen; sky-blue with small yellow spots on sides in mature male, brown with yellow spots on sides in female and immature male. Wings have dark brown bases. Flies May–Aug. STATUS Common near coastal freshwater pools in S England.
Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum Length 36mm
Yellow-winged Darter
Red-veined Darter
Common Darter, mating pair
Frequently rests on ground but also uses perches. ADULT has a narrow body. Abdomen is deep red in mature male, orange-brown in immature male and female. Flies Jun– early Nov. STATUS Commonest dragonfly in many parts. Breeds in still fresh water; often feeds well away from water. SIMILAR SPECIES Yellow-winged Darter S. flaveolum has bright orange-yellow flush at base of wings. Regular migrant from mainland Europe, mainly to S and SE England, sometimes in good numbers. Breeds occasionally but colonies seldom persist. Red-veined Darter S. fonscolombii is a migrant visitor to S coasts. Male has bright red body and base of wing veins; female has yellow body.
Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum Length 35mm
Often perches with wings depressed slightly. ADULT is similar to Common Darter, but mature male has a markedly constricted, bright red abdomen; female and immature male have black legs (variably brown in Common) and a yellow patch at base of hindwing. Flies Jul–Sep. STATUS Locally common near coastal freshwater pools.
Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa Length 35mm
Emerald Damselfly, male
Colourful damselfly that often rests with wings slightly open. ADULT male has a mainly shiny green body with sky-blue eyes, central band and abdomen tip; inner abdominal appendages are straight. Female has shiny green eyes and body. Flies Jun–Aug. STATUS Widespread but local beside coastal pools; commonest in the S.
Scarce Emerald Damselfly Lestes dryas Length 35mm
Scarce Emerald Damselfly, female
Scarce Emerald Damselfly, male
Very similar to Emerald Damselfly. Also often rests with wings slightly open. ADULT male has a mainly shiny green body with sky-blue eyes, central band and abdomen tip; inner abdominal appendages are curved. Female has shiny green eyes and body. Flies Jun–Aug. STATUS Generally scarce but very locally common near freshwater and slightly brackish channels and ditches in Ireland and SE England.
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella Length 33mm
Familiar colourful species. ADULT has 2 black lines on side of abdomen (1 in Common Blue Damselfly, below). Male is sky-blue with black bands on abdomen and a black ‘U’ marking on segment 2; female is mostly black but with a blue tip to abdomen. Flies May–Aug. STATUS Widespread and common except in the N; favours ditches and ponds, and generally common near coasts.
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum Length 32mm
Common Blue Damselfly, abdominal segment 2
Common Blue Damselfly, mating pair
Dainty species. ADULT has a single black line on side of thorax (2 in Azure Damselfly, above). Male is blue with black bands on abdomen and a mushroom cloud-shaped dot on segment 2. Green and black female has a diagnostic ventral spine near abdomen tip. Flies May– Sep. STATUS Common near vegetated still water around coasts.
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans Length 32mm
Blue-tailed Damselfly, tip of abdomen
Distinctive damselfly. ADULT is easily identified by mainly black body with sky-blue segment 8 of abdomen. Flies May–Aug. STATUS Common and widespread except in the far N. Tolerates moderate pollution and slightly brackish conditions.
Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma najas Length 35mm
Red-eyed Damselfly, tip of abdomen
Distinctive species. ADULT has striking red eyes and a blue-tipped blackish abdomen; thorax of male is black above and blue on sides, female’s is black and yellow. Flies May–Sep. STATUS Locally common only in central and S England, favouring ponds and channels.
Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula Length 35mm
Distinctive damselfly with a rather weak flight. ADULT is mainly bright red but abdomen is marked with black, more extensive on female than male. Note the black legs. Flies May–Aug. STATUS Common and widespread in a range of coastal freshwater habitats, including ponds, channels and ditches.
Strigamia maritima Length to 12cm
Exclusively coastal centipede. Found under stones and among strandline debris on shores. ADULT has an extremely slender, segmented body, orange-red in colour with a pair of antennae at head end. Seen mainly Apr–Oct. STATUS Widespread on coasts in W Britain.
Lithobius forficatus Length 30mm
Familiar centipede, found under stones and shoreline debris in the daytime. ADULT has a shiny orange-brown body that is relatively broad and flattened. Legs, antennae and fangs are obvious. Seen mainly Apr–Oct. STATUS Common and widespread.
Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi Length to 14mm (female); to 5mm (male)
Unmistakable spider. Constructs an orb web with a zigzag of silk. ADULT female is larger and plumper than male; in both, abdomen has yellow, black and white bands. Seen mainly May–Sep. STATUS Probably introduced from Europe; now locally common in coastal grassland in S England.
Purse-web Spider Atypus affinis Length 12mm
Purse-web Spider, purse webs
Extraordinary spider that lives inside a mainly subterranean silken tube. Prey is captured if it walks over part of the tube that lies on the soil surface. ADULT is dark brown with a plump abdomen, shiny carapace and long, downward-pointing fangs. Seen year-round. STATUS Very locally common in dry, well-draining soil, but silken tubes are easily overlooked.
Attractive and distinctive spider that hides under stones during daytime. Found in coastal sites with numerous woodlice; these are captured using its relatively large, opposable fangs. ADULT has reddish legs and cephalothorax, and a buffish-brown abdomen. Seen mainly Apr–Oct. STATUS Locally common and widespread.
Typical cave spider that shuns light and spends its life in caves and cellars. ADULT has a marbled brown and black abdomen, while its shiny legs are marked with irregular bands of reddish brown and black. Seen May–Jul. STATUS Widespread, particularly common near coasts.
Zebra Spider Salticus scenicus Length 7mm
Well-marked and aptly named jumping spider. Moves restlessly up sunny rocks and walls; spots potential prey using its large eyes and then stalks to within leaping range. Seen mainly Jul–Oct. ADULT has black and white stripes. STATUS Common and widespread.
Common Garden Spider Araneus diadematus Length to 12mm (female); to 5mm (male)
Common Garden Spider, web
Familiar spider. Constructs a sophisticated orb web. ADULT varies from grey-brown to reddish brown; abdomen has a central row of white dots and transverse white streaks that form a cross. Male is much smaller than female. Seen Jul–Oct. STATUS Common and widespread in coastal grassland.