GROUND BEETLE
Ground beetles are carnivorous
predators and will eat anything they
can overpower. Some species feed on
seeds.
They use their sharp, powerful jaws for
grabbing and crushing other insects and
slugs.
Ground beetles are nocturnal and can
be found hiding under logs and dead
leaves during the day.
They vary in size and can be between
3mm to 2mm.
DEVIL’S COACH HORSE
Devil’s Coach Horse is a large
carnivorous predatory rove beetle.
It uses its large pincers to crush its prey
which includes insects, worms and
spiders.
They are known for curling up their
abdomen and assuming a scorpion
position when they feel threatened.
They also emit a foul fluid to deter
predators.
Beware—they can deliver a painful bite
to us!
HARVESTMAN
Harvestmen are arachnids but are
different to spiders. They only have two
eyes, they don’t spin webs and they
don’t produce venom.
A harvestman is recognisable by its
eight very long legs and it’s small round
body. They do not regrow legs like
other arachnids.
They usually eat smaller insects but
some species are omnivorous
scavengers. Using the hooks on their
legs, harvestmen catch their prey.
WASP
There are approximately 9,000 species
of wasp in the UK. The common wasps
are sociable and live in colonies.
Adult wasps feed on sugary liquid
secreted by the wasp larvae, later they
will eat nectar and other sweet
substances.
Larvae eat carrion and insects.
Beware—wasps can give a painful sting
when they feel threatened. They also
release a smell when they sting or are
killed which causes other wasps to
become aggressive!
ANT
Ants are social insects, living in large
colonies run by a queen.
Most ants live underground and are
found almost everywhere.
They can be herbivores, carnivores or
omnivores.
In July and August, you may notice
flying ants! These ants are males and
future queen females looking to mate.
There are over 50 species of ants in the
UK.
LACEWING
Lacewings usually have big copper eyes,
bright green bodies with delicate,
transparent wings. Some species are
brown.
There are 14 species of green lacewings
in the UK and 29 species of brown
lacewings.
Lacewings are carnivorous and will
often feast on aphids. Because of this,
they’re an excellent biological pest
control.
Once they suck the juices out of an
aphid, the larvae use the dried out
bodies as camouflage!
WOODLICE
The common woodlouse has a smooth,
shiny, grey ‘armour’ (an exoskeleton
made up of segments or ‘plates’).
There are 30 species of woodlouse in
the UK.
The woodlouse feeds on dead and
decaying matter such as rotting leaves
and wood. It is an important nutrient-
recycler.
Woodlice are found in dark damp
places such as under logs and stones.
Woodlice are actually crustaceans,
related to shrimps and crabs.
CENTIPEDE
Common centipedes are brownish red
in colour with long antennae.
The centipede has nearly 100 legs
which is where it gets its name from.
Centipedes are predators, they eat
small minibeast.
When a centipede senses its prey, it
moves at speed and immobilises its
victim with venom.
The common centipede can be found
hiding under stones, logs, bark and in
leaf litter.
EARTHWORM (ANNELID)
There are 70 different species of
earthworm in the UK.
A worm’s head is at the pointed end.
Worms do not have eyes, instead they
sense light along their whole body.
Worms are very important because
they burrow long tunnels in the soil
which allows water to enter the
ground.
Worms eat organic matter and rotting
vegetation.
