(a species of owlet moth (Noctuid)) Some caterpillars, after they emerge from their egg, can increase their weight by 25,000 times.

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Common insects

Plenty of bugs can be found without leaving the home or garden, from house spiders weaving away in the corner of your loft to may bugs crashing into your living room windows. Find out about the life cycle, distribution and behaviour of the most common species along with tips on identification. Is that false widow spider really as black as you thought it was? Did you actually see a bee or was it an impostor from the fly family? Find out here.

  • Aphid watch
    Aphid watch

    Read about one of the largest aphid species in Britain and send in your observations to the Museum.

  • The Biology of the Collembola (Springtails)
    The Biology of the Collembola (Springtails)

    University of Reading lecturer Steve Hopkin introduces us to the most abundant insects in the world.

  • Dragonflies, mayflies and stoneflies
    Dragonflies, mayflies and stoneflies

    Steve Brooks introduces us to a primitive group of insects that share an aquatic lifestyle and acrobatic flying skills.

  • Hemiptera...it's a bug's life
    Hemiptera...it's a bug's life

    Explore the world of bugs, and their extremely diverse range of sizes, shapes and colours, with Jon Martin and Mick Webb.

  • Horseflies, robberflies and blowflies
    Horseflies, robberflies and blowflies

    Pests, predators and parasites – find out about this hugely diverse, widespread and successful collection of insects.

  • Hornet sightings
    Hornet sightings create a buzz - 03/05/2007 (video)

    Stuart Hine, manager of the Museum's Insect Identification Service, talks about the large number of hornet sightings he has had from the public.

  • Cockroach Database
    The Cockroach Database - 30/07/2007 (video)

    Watch George Beccaloni talk about cockroaches and his work on the first online database of the world's cockroaches, the Blattodea Species File Online (BSF) in this short video.

  • Mystery Museum garden insect
    Mystery Museum garden insect video - 15/07/2008 (video)

    Watch this short video with Museum insect expert Max Barclay talking about the mystery insect discovered living in the Museum's Wildlife Garden.

  • False widow spider
    False widow spider - 22/05/2007 (video)

    Stuart Hine, manager of the Insect Identification Service at the Museum, talks about the false widow spider.

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