Bugs on bushes
Need to identify minibeasts lurking among the stems and leaves of plants? WildID Bugs on bushes fold-out guide has been used by generations of visitors to our field centres.
The guide uses a simple flow chart to help you sort and identify the creatures you discover. You’ll meet:
Animals with no legs:
- Snails and slugs gliding on a trail of slime
- Earthworms tunneling through the soil
- Insect larvae of many kinds, including caterpillars and beetle grubs
Animals with jointed legs:
- Crustaceans, such as woodlice, scuttling under bark and stones
- Insects, from bugs and beetles to flies and wasps
- Spiders weaving webs to catch their prey
- Mites creeping on leaves and stems
But the guide is not just for identification. It also supports hands-on scientific investigations at KS1 and KS2.
- Identify which animals you’ve found
- Food chains and food webs: from producers to herbivores and carnivores, omnivores
- Constructung pyramids of number and biomass
Exploring minibeasts helps us understand the delicate balance of ecosystems. Each tiny creature plays a role, whether recycling nutrients, pollinating plants, or as food for other animals.
