I'm fascinated by insects and love photographing, or at least attempting to photograph them. But it’s always a challenge, especially in Scotland.

First of all, you need to find the insect in the first place.  And being Scotland it is invariably windy and rainy which means that the insects are usually cowering under a leaf somewhere rather than preening themselves in full view on top of a leaf in the sunshine.

Then, once you’ve actually managed to find one, you have to be able to stick your camera as close to it as possible whilst the leaf is blowing wildly in the wind and before the insect jumps, flies, burrows, scuttles or hides away - or before it simply takes fright and plays plain dead!

Please note that all photos were taken “au natural” and no insect was injured in the process. Unlike some photographers, I don’t feel the need to get the ideal shot by sticking a pin through them, beating bushes or setting traps to gather them, or as I’ve seen suggested, sticking them in the fridge to make them more “docile” – tempting though it may be.

Here is a collection of the insects I have managed to snap with a short ditti of “interesting” information to go with each. Hopefully, this will help you to identify a Scottish insect.

I know that identifying a species for certain often can't be done without dissecting the poor beast or examining it under a microscope. Some of my identifications will therefore be less than certain.  As a very amateur entomologist and an even more amateur photographer, all tips, changes, thoughts and comments are very welcome and I will be happy to make any necessary corrections.

I hope you enjoy this site!!

How To Blog Me

1. Click on the '[number] comments' prompt above the word 'Home' lower down this page.

2. Scroll up until you see a white box.

3. Type your comments/queries/observations into this box.

4. Click on the drop down arrow beside 'Select profile...'.

5. Select 'Anonymous' or log into the appropriate profile.

6. Click 'Publish' and come back soon to see my reply.

Please note that because I get a lot of spam messages from various outfits offering pest control(!), I moderate the messages I receive. However, I always publish and respond to all genuine messages, so please be a little patient - I'll respond to you as quickly as I can!

Recent Finds

Common Darter (male)(Sympetrum striolatum)

Wall Butterfly (female)(Lasiommata megera)

                              

Whilst the internet in general has helped me identify many of these insects, my main sources of information are and have been the following (although please note, they can take no responsibility for any incorrect information or identifications on this website): 
http://www.ispotnature.org;
http://www.naturespot.org.uk;
Colins Complete Guide to British Insects by Michael Chinery;
Field Guid to Insects of Britain and Northern Europe by Bob Gibbons;
Britain's Plant Galls by Michael Chinery;
Britain's Hoverflies by Stuart Ball and Roger Morris.


A brief guide to identifying Scottish insects colloquially known as 'bugs'. Photographs of all the insects are included to aid identification of the various species and brief information has been included about the insects, their habitat, eating habits and distinctive features. Almost all Scottish insects also live throughout Britain but many British insects only live in England. This website is dedicated to Scottish insects only although it will be a useful guide which will apply to most of the UK. Many people call insects bugs but bugs are in fact a subset of insects, which is why they are often referred to as true bugs. 

If you like small things like insects, you might like really small things like particle physics. For an amazingly easy and simple explanation of particle physics please visit www.easyparticles.com