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Of the million or more animal species in the world, more than 98% are invertebrates. Invertebrates do not have an internal skeleton made of bone. Many invertebrates have a fluid-filled, hydrostatic skeleton, like the jellyfish or worm. Others have a hard outer shell, like insects and crustaceans. The most common invertebrates include the protozoa, annelids, echinoderms, molluscs and arthropods. Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)Adult male Azure damselflies have a head and thorax patterned with blue and black. They have an azure blue abdomen patterned with black markings. Adult female Azure Damselflies have a head and thorax pattern similar to that of the male, but with dull green replacing the blue colour. Habitat Size Diet Status Similar Species
Common Earwig (Forficulidae)The common earwig is predominately nocturnal in its search for food. Though they are omnivorous, are considered scavengers rather than predators. The forceps or cerci are used during mating, feeding and self-defence. The females lay a clutch of 50 eggs in underground nests taking care of her young until maturity. Habitat Size Diet Status Similar Species
Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus)These insects are active during the day and prefer hot, sunny conditions. The hind legs are greatly enlarged for jumping. The jump is an escape response. Females are larger than males, which sing by rubbing a row of small pegs on the inside of their hind femora against a hard vein on the front wings. Habitat Size Diet Status Similar Species Common Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus)The species is nocturnal, particularly fond of rotting wood and are one of the commonest species found under garden logs and stones. On meeting, these woodlice tap each otherís antenna as if swapping messages. Oniscus asellus can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Habitat Size Diet Status Similar species Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris)Lumbricus terrestris forms permanent deep burrows in the soil and comes to the surface to feed, unlike most earthworms, which burrow through the ground for food. This species pull leaves into the mouth of its burrow where they partially decay before being eaten. This aerates the soil making them a "gardener's best friend". Habitat Size Diet Status Similar Species
Garden Cross Spider (Araneus diadematus)The garden cross spider is very variable in colour, but always seems to have a cross-shaped mark on its abdomen. The webs are built by the larger who he waiting for prey to be entangled in the web. The prey is then captured and wrapped in silk before being eaten. Habitat Size Diet Status Similar Species
Garden Snail (Helix aspersa)The adult snail bears a hard, thin shell with four or five whorls. When active the head and foot emerge, the head has four tentacles, the upper two have eyelike light sensors and the lower are smaller sensory structures. The muscular foot contracts to move the animal and secretes mucus to facilitate locomotion by reducing friction. Habitat Size Diet Status Similar Species
Six-spot Burnet (Zygaena filipendulae)The six-spot burnet is a day-flying moth attracted to wild flowers such as knapweed. The forewings are dark metallic green with six vivid red spots, warning predators they are toxic. Sometimes the spots merge causing confusion with other species. The larva is plump and hairy with variable markings, usually pale green with rows of black spots. Habitat Size Flight Period Larval Diet Status Similar Species
Seven-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata)The seven-spot ladybird has a broad ecological range; living almost anywhere it can find food. The bright colours and markings are to warn predators of their poisonous or distasteful nature. The larvae are warty with spots and moult four times before adulthood. Habitat Size Diet Status Similar Species
Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)This butterfly is characterised by a dark upper wing surface, marked with yellowish blocks and spots, some with pale centres. The protective male will aggressively defend its territories against intruding males. Habitat Size Flight Period Larval Diet Status Similar Species |