The River Thames Guide ThamesWatch 2010

www.rspb.org.uk www.riverthames.co.uk www.buglife.org.uk

Home	Teachers Zone	Registration Zone	Partners	News	Blog	Contact Us

Bird Life Tree Life Wildlife

Bug Life

Download the Bug Life worksheet here

Here are some of the bugs most likely to be seen on the river banks of the Thames in springtime.
For more information about these bugs and to further explore the UK’s amazing bug life visit our website www.buglife.org.uk

Brown-lipped snail What are they? These smart shelled snails get their name from their funky striped shells. Banded snail shells can come in lots of different colours, with some snails having dark shells to help with their camouflage when living in dark places. There are two different types of banded snail the Dark lipped and the White lipped. What to look for These snails are around 2cm tall. With distinctively stripy shells that are very variable in colour and number of stripes. Most have five stripes but they can have more or less. Where to look Snails are easiest to find when the weather is warm and damp, so after it has rained is a good time to go snail hunting. Try looking in bushes, on hedges, or in long or short grass and also in tall plants like nettles – but be careful not to get stung! Fun Fact Banded snails have stripes and different coloured shells to help them camouflage themselves from predators, particularly birds such as hungry Thrushes who love munching on snails.	Brown-lipped snail Cepaea nemoralis © Jaybee www.phocus-on.co.uk
Amber snail What is it? Amber snails only live on plants growing in or near the water. This snail likes very damp places and so can be found living on river banks and in marshes. What to look for Amber snails are called that way, because of their shell's amber-like light brown colour. An amber snail's shell is glassy in appearance, their shells also seem too small for their body, and so they can’t hide their bodies in their shell. Where to look Look on vegetation particularly in the damp places near the river. Fun fact Some people think Amber snails can go under water but this isn’t true they just like to live in really damp places.	Amber snail Succinea putris © David Holyoak
Green dock beetle What is it? This shiny green beetle belongs to a group of beetles called the leaf beetle, which are brightly coloured, they are round in shape and have a very smooth and shiny back. What to look for This bright green beetle is about 1cm long and they sometimes have a golden or bluish hint to their colour. Where to look This beetle eats a plant called ‘dock’ which lives on riverbanks, see photo if you find the right plant you should find the beetle. Fun fact If your beetle looks like it is carrying a dark large ball with its wings perched on top. You might have a found a female carrying its eggs.	Green dock beetle Gastrophysa viridula © Ben Hamers
Seven- spot ladybird What is it? This is a small round colourful beetle and is one of our most common ladybirds. Commonly found in lots of different places including riverbanks and gardens. What to look for This is a bright red beetle with 7 black spots, the number of spots can however, vary. It is about 1cm long and has a black head with two white markings on the side. Where to look They like to live on lots of different types of plants so check trees, shrubs, small plants and grass. Fun fact A ladybirds favourite food are aphids these are small soft body bugs commonly found on plants and ladybirds are brightly coloured to warn predators that they taste bad and so stops them from being eaten.	Seven-spot ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata © Jaybee www.phocus-on.co.uk
Buff-tailed bumblebee What is it? The Buff-tailed bumblebee is the largest bee found in the Britain, it is a common bumblebee which is often seen in early spring. What to look for This big furry bee has a mainly black body with two coloured bands and a pale tail. It has two yellow bands on its body with one at the very front near its head and the other one is on its lower body Where to look Look for newly opened flowers on the river bank for these big and noisy bees as they will be busy collecting pollen and nectar. Fun fact Bumblebees have a sting but they are friendlier than honey bees and only use their sting if really upset.	Buff-tailed bumblebee Bombus terrestris © Ant Maddock
Red tailed bumblebee What is it? Another large bumblebee but a little bit smaller than the Buff-tailed bumblebee and is common on riverbanks as well as in gardens. What to look for This bumblebee is covered in mainly black fur with an orangey-red or a bright red tail. It has black pollen baskets that it carries on its legs. Where to look Look for newly opened flowers on the river bank as again like the Buff-tailed they will be busy collecting pollen and nectar. They like lots of different flowers including dandelions and bluebells. Fun Fact They have a relatively short tongue and prefer to land on the flower to feed rather than feed on the wing.	Red tailed bumblebee Bombus lapidarius © www.gardensafari.net
Large red damselfly What is it? This like its name is a large red damselfly that feeds on small insects. It is common and is one of the first damselflies to appear each spring. What to look for This damselfly is about 3.5cm long and its long thin body is bright red. It has black legs and the top of the body is black with red or yellow stripes. Where to look Can be found near the river water but not where the river is flowing fast only in the still slower areas. You may see them resting on vegetation near water. Fun Fact You can tell the difference between damselflies and dragonflies partly by their size as most dragonflies are larger and also by the way they hold their wings. Damselflies rest with their wings folded and dragonflies rest with their wings outspread.	Large red damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula © Jaybee www.phocus-on.co.uk
Hairy dragonfly What is it? The Hairy Dragonfly is a very small dragonfly; it is also special as it is one of the first dragonflies to fly in the spring. What to look for This dragonfly is about 5.5cm long and the top of its body is hairy. This is a spotty dragonfly with either yellow or blue spots, females have yellow spots where as males have blue spots. Where to look This dragonfly will be seen in areas of reeds where it will settle to rest. It is most likely to be seen from early May to late June. Fun Fact The Hairy Dragonfly is Britain’s smallest Hawker dragonfly.	Hairy dragonfly Brachytron pratense © David Pryce
Marmalade hoverfly What is it? This colourful little insect is a hoverfly and also a master of disguise. What to look for This is an orange and black banded hoverfly, the marmalade orange glow and pairs of stripes are important thing to look for. Where to look This hoverfly likes to feed on the nectar of flat-topped flowers and will be most likely seen resting on vegetation. Fun Fact Many hoverfly species mimic wasp colours to fool the birds and other predators and stop them from attacking	Marmalade hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus © Jaybee www.phocus-on.co.uk
Hawthorn shield bug What is it? Shield bugs are named because of their shape, which does look a bit like a medieval knight’s shield. It has colours matching the hawthorn and so they can camouflage themselves in the leaves. What to look for This big green bug has brown markings on its back almost in the shape of an X. It grows up to nearly 2cm long. Where to look As adults they like to feed on hawthorn berries and so look on hawthorn trees and on hawthorn in hedgerows. You will need to find the hawthorn to find this bug. Fun Fact They are sometimes given the name "stink bugs"; this is because they can release a strong smelling liquid which stains. This is to stop birds and other predators from eating them.	Hawthorn shield bug Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale © Raz www.phocus-on.co.uk

Brown-lipped snail

Where to look Snails are easiest to find when the weather is warm and damp, so after it has rained is a good time to go snail hunting. Try looking in bushes, on hedges, or in long or short grass and also in tall plants like nettles – but be careful not to get stung!

Fun Fact Banded snails have stripes and different coloured shells to help them camouflage themselves from predators, particularly birds such as hungry Thrushes who love munching on snails.

Amber snail

What to look for Amber snails are called that way, because of their shell's amber-like light brown colour. An amber snail's shell is glassy in appearance, their shells also seem too small for their body, and so they can’t hide their bodies in their shell.

Where to look Look on vegetation particularly in the damp places near the river.

Fun fact Some people think Amber snails can go under water but this isn’t true they just like to live in really damp places.

Green dock beetle

What is it? This shiny green beetle belongs to a group of beetles called the leaf beetle, which are brightly coloured, they are round in shape and have a very smooth and shiny back.

Seven- spot ladybird

What is it? This is a small round colourful beetle and is one of our most common ladybirds. Commonly found in lots of different places including riverbanks and gardens.

What to look for This is a bright red beetle with 7 black spots, the number of spots can however, vary. It is about 1cm long and has a black head with two white markings on the side.

Where to look They like to live on lots of different types of plants so check trees, shrubs, small plants and grass.

Fun fact A ladybirds favourite food are aphids these are small soft body bugs commonly found on plants and ladybirds are brightly coloured to warn predators that they taste bad and so stops them from being eaten.

Buff-tailed bumblebee

What is it? The Buff-tailed bumblebee is the largest bee found in the Britain, it is a common bumblebee which is often seen in early spring.

Fun fact Bumblebees have a sting but they are friendlier than honey bees and only use their sting if really upset.

Red tailed bumblebee

What is it? Another large bumblebee but a little bit smaller than the Buff-tailed bumblebee and is common on riverbanks as well as in gardens.

What to look for This bumblebee is covered in mainly black fur with an orangey-red or a bright red tail. It has black pollen baskets that it carries on its legs.

Where to look Look for newly opened flowers on the river bank as again like the Buff-tailed they will be busy collecting pollen and nectar. They like lots of different flowers including dandelions and bluebells.

Fun Fact They have a relatively short tongue and prefer to land on the flower to feed rather than feed on the wing.

Large red damselfly

What is it? This like its name is a large red damselfly that feeds on small insects. It is common and is one of the first damselflies to appear each spring.

What to look for This damselfly is about 3.5cm long and its long thin body is bright red. It has black legs and the top of the body is black with red or yellow stripes.

Where to look Can be found near the river water but not where the river is flowing fast only in the still slower areas. You may see them resting on vegetation near water.

Fun Fact You can tell the difference between damselflies and dragonflies partly by their size as most dragonflies are larger and also by the way they hold their wings. Damselflies rest with their wings folded and dragonflies rest with their wings outspread.

Hairy dragonfly

What is it? The Hairy Dragonfly is a very small dragonfly; it is also special as it is one of the first dragonflies to fly in the spring.

What to look for This dragonfly is about 5.5cm long and the top of its body is hairy. This is a spotty dragonfly with either yellow or blue spots, females have yellow spots where as males have blue spots.

Where to look This dragonfly will be seen in areas of reeds where it will settle to rest. It is most likely to be seen from early May to late June.

Fun Fact The Hairy Dragonfly is Britain’s smallest Hawker dragonfly.

Marmalade hoverfly

What is it? This colourful little insect is a hoverfly and also a master of disguise.

What to look for This is an orange and black banded hoverfly, the marmalade orange glow and pairs of stripes are important thing to look for.

Where to look This hoverfly likes to feed on the nectar of flat-topped flowers and will be most likely seen resting on vegetation.

Fun Fact Many hoverfly species mimic wasp colours to fool the birds and other predators and stop them from attacking

Hawthorn shield bug

What is it? Shield bugs are named because of their shape, which does look a bit like a medieval knight’s shield. It has colours matching the hawthorn and so they can camouflage themselves in the leaves.

What to look for This big green bug has brown markings on its back almost in the shape of an X. It grows up to nearly 2cm long.

Where to look As adults they like to feed on hawthorn berries and so look on hawthorn trees and on hawthorn in hedgerows. You will need to find the hawthorn to find this bug.

Fun Fact They are sometimes given the name "stink bugs"; this is because they can release a strong smelling liquid which stains. This is to stop birds and other predators from eating them.

Where to look
Snails are easiest to find when the weather is warm and damp, so after it has rained is a good time to go snail hunting. Try looking in bushes, on hedges, or in long or short grass and also in tall plants like nettles – but be careful not to get stung!

Fun Fact
Banded snails have stripes and different coloured shells to help them camouflage themselves from predators, particularly birds such as hungry Thrushes who love munching on snails.

What to look for
Amber snails are called that way, because of their shell's amber-like light brown colour. An amber snail's shell is glassy in appearance, their shells also seem too small for their body, and so they can’t hide their bodies in their shell.

Where to look
Look on vegetation particularly in the damp places near the river.

Fun fact
Some people think Amber snails can go under water but this isn’t true they just like to live in really damp places.

What is it?
This shiny green beetle belongs to a group of beetles called the leaf beetle, which are brightly coloured, they are round in shape and have a very smooth and shiny back.

What is it?
This is a small round colourful beetle and is one of our most common ladybirds. Commonly found in lots of different places including riverbanks and gardens.

What to look for
This is a bright red beetle with 7 black spots, the number of spots can however, vary. It is about 1cm long and has a black head with two white markings on the side.

Where to look
They like to live on lots of different types of plants so check trees, shrubs, small plants and grass.

Fun fact
A ladybirds favourite food are aphids these are small soft body bugs commonly found on plants and ladybirds are brightly coloured to warn predators that they taste bad and so stops them from being eaten.

What is it?
The Buff-tailed bumblebee is the largest bee found in the Britain, it is a common bumblebee which is often seen in early spring.

Fun fact
Bumblebees have a sting but they are friendlier than honey bees and only use their sting if really upset.

What is it?
Another large bumblebee but a little bit smaller than the Buff-tailed bumblebee and is common on riverbanks as well as in gardens.

What to look for
This bumblebee is covered in mainly black fur with an orangey-red or a bright red tail. It has black pollen baskets that it carries on its legs.

Where to look
Look for newly opened flowers on the river bank as again like the Buff-tailed they will be busy collecting pollen and nectar. They like lots of different flowers including dandelions and bluebells.

Fun Fact
They have a relatively short tongue and prefer to land on the flower to feed rather than feed on the wing.

What is it?
This like its name is a large red damselfly that feeds on small insects. It is common and is one of the first damselflies to appear each spring.

What to look for
This damselfly is about 3.5cm long and its long thin body is bright red. It has black legs and the top of the body is black with red or yellow stripes.

Where to look
Can be found near the river water but not where the river is flowing fast only in the still slower areas. You may see them resting on vegetation near water.

Fun Fact
You can tell the difference between damselflies and dragonflies partly by their size as most dragonflies are larger and also by the way they hold their wings. Damselflies rest with their wings folded and dragonflies rest with their wings outspread.

What is it?
The Hairy Dragonfly is a very small dragonfly; it is also special as it is one of the first dragonflies to fly in the spring.

What to look for
This dragonfly is about 5.5cm long and the top of its body is hairy. This is a spotty dragonfly with either yellow or blue spots, females have yellow spots where as males have blue spots.

Where to look
This dragonfly will be seen in areas of reeds where it will settle to rest. It is most likely to be seen from early May to late June.

Fun Fact
The Hairy Dragonfly is Britain’s smallest Hawker dragonfly.

What is it?
This colourful little insect is a hoverfly and also a master of disguise.

What to look for
This is an orange and black banded hoverfly, the marmalade orange glow and pairs of stripes are important thing to look for.

Where to look
This hoverfly likes to feed on the nectar of flat-topped flowers and will be most likely seen resting on vegetation.

Fun Fact
Many hoverfly species mimic wasp colours to fool the birds and other predators and stop them from attacking

What is it?
Shield bugs are named because of their shape, which does look a bit like a medieval knight’s shield. It has colours matching the hawthorn and so they can camouflage themselves in the leaves.

What to look for
This big green bug has brown markings on its back almost in the shape of an X. It grows up to nearly 2cm long.

Where to look
As adults they like to feed on hawthorn berries and so look on hawthorn trees and on hawthorn in hedgerows. You will need to find the hawthorn to find this bug.

Fun Fact
They are sometimes given the name "stink bugs"; this is because they can release a strong smelling liquid which stains. This is to stop birds and other predators from eating them.