Recognised as a distinct species only in the last few decades, the Ivy Bee specialises in collecting pollen primarily from ivy. It often nests in large, loosely connected groups in bare or soft ground. On Lihou, these bees help pollinate the island’s ivy patches while providing food for predators like birds and spiders, balancing the local food web.

Scaly Crickets are elusive and well camouflaged, often overlooked unless you carefully lift stones on shingle shores. They have tiny scales on their wings, giving them a distinctive “scaly” look. On Lihou, these specialised crickets can appear in stony patches where the right mix of dry habitat and tidal reach creates a narrow zone for them to survive.

Sometimes showing faint yellowish or whitish patches on its back, this woodlouse feeds on decaying organic matter, helping recycle nutrients in the soil. On Lihou, you may find them sheltering under stones or organic matter. Despite their crustacean heritage, these land invertebrates thrive as “recyclers” of plant debris in damp corners.

Earwigs feed on decaying plant material and small insects, using their pincers to grasp or defend themselves. Despite myths, they rarely go near human ears, let alone crawl into them. On Lihou, you might find them concealed under stones or crevices in wood, emerging at night to forage in leaf litter or among low vegetation.

Centipedes are carnivorous, hunting small insects using their front legs, which are modified into venomous “fangs.” They move quickly and prefer dark, humid areas to avoid drying out. On Lihou, look beneath stones or logs in damp locations if you want to spot these swift predators.

Despite being called a bug, woodlice are actually crustaceans that live on land. Pill Woodlice roll into tight balls when disturbed, looking like tiny armadillos. On Lihou, you might find them curled up under driftwood near the high-tide line or hiding beneath rocks in damp crevices.

Wolf spiders do not build webs to catch prey; instead, they rely on speed and camouflage, stalking insects on the ground. Females carry their egg sacs attached to their spinnerets and later transport spiderlings on their backs. On Lihou, a sharp eye may detect them scurrying across warm rocks or hidden among low vegetation in the island’s sunny patches.

Garden Spiders have distinctive cross-shaped markings on their abdomen and spin spiral orb webs to catch flying insects. They hang head down in the web’s centre, quickly darting out when the strands vibrate. Around Lihou, look for these webs in sheltered spots between plant stems or bracken, glistening with water droplets on a misty day.

Renowned for its familiar chirping on sunny days, the Common Green Grasshopper is herbivorous, feeding on grasses and small plants. It serves as prey for birds and small mammals, making it an essential part of the coastal food web. On Lihou, you may hear its chirps in grassy patches during warm afternoons, a sign of healthy, undisturbed vegetation.

This bumblebee’s gingery-brown colouring and habit of gathering plant fibres for nesting led to its name “Carder.” It favours nectar-rich flowers like clover and vetch, and is easily spotted bustling around blooms on warm days. On Lihou, look for them in sheltered grassy areas where wildflowers offer a reliable pollen supply.

A common bumblebee species named for the buff-coloured tail on the queen, it can be seen visiting many types of flowers to collect pollen and nectar. These foraging trips help pollinate wild and cultivated plants alike, supporting local biodiversity. On Lihou, flowering coastal plants give them an abundant food source in spring and summer.

A strong-flying migrant often arriving from southern Europe, the Clouded Yellow can appear in bursts when weather conditions allow. On Lihou, it sometimes busily feeds on nectar-rich flowers like dandelions and clovers, especially during warm spells. Although numbers can differ each season, a sighting of this vibrant butterfly is always memorable.

A day-flying moth with metallic black wings and five vivid red spots, this species is drawn to flower-rich meadows. On Lihou, it can appear between June and August. With a wingspan of around 30–35 mm, it adds extra colour to sunny grasslands on calm days. In particularly good years, counts of Five‐spot Burnet moths on Lihou can soar into the hundreds.

This migratory moth, with a wingspan of about 30–45 mm, is easily recognised by the distinctive metallic silver “Y” on each forewing. It often arrives from spring onward. At dusk, you might see it visiting flowers to sip nectar.

This remarkable moth hovers in front of flowers to sip nectar with a long proboscis, much like a tiny hummingbird. These moths are regularly seen on Lihou from late spring onwards. Its wingspan is around 40–50 mm, and its rapid wingbeats create a faint hum.

A pinkish-red moth with a wingspan of about 30–40 mm, the Ruby Tiger can appear by day or night. On Lihou, it may flutter over grassy areas in spring or late summer, drawn to nectar-rich flowers. Its caterpillars, covered in hairs, feed on low-growing plants like docks and plantains.

This woolly caterpillar moth has males flying by day in July and August, while females emerge mainly at dusk. Though more at home in heath and moorland, it may wander to Lihou if suitable low shrubs can be found. With a wingspan of up to 75 mm, the males use feathery antennae to find females.

The Jersey Tiger sports bold black-and-white stripes on its forewings, with vibrant orange or red on the hindwings. It is mainly seen in summer and sometimes strays to Lihou, especially in warm conditions. People often spot it in daylight, feeding on flowers.

The Emperor Moth has spectacular eyespots, believed to startle predators when the wings are spread. Males have large, feathery antennae to locate females, which release a potent scent. Although they often favour heathy or upland habitats, Emperor Moth records remain consistently strong on Lihou.

This striking moth sometimes visits Lihou from southern Europe, adding bright colour to local moth records. With its boldly spotted wings, it is easily spotted if present, though sightings can be scarce. Late summer offers the best chance of encountering one feeding on flowering plants or resting on warm stones.

With orange and brown wings marked by eyespots, the Wall favours sunny, bare ground for basking. It can appear from spring to autumn and may reach about 40–50 mm in wingspan. Lihou’s rocky areas or short turf patches are ideal spots for seeing it soak up the sun, though numbers vary year to year.

Britain’s largest native butterfly in certain regions, the Swallowtail has striking yellow and black wings with “tails.” It needs wetland or fen plants for its caterpillars, making it rare on Lihou. In exceptional cases, a continental migrant might stray here, so any sighting would be a real occasion.

You can usually see them flying from June to September. They are very rare visitors, with one sighting recorded on 19 May 2022.

The Peacock’s dramatic eyespots on each wing serve to startle predators when it spreads its wings. On Lihou, look for it from spring to autumn, often basking on sunny paths. It has a wingspan of about 60–70 mm, and its caterpillars eat nettles where they can find them.

A master of camouflage on rocky ground, the Grayling folds its wings to reveal a mottled grey underside. In flight, the wings show a subtle brown and orange pattern, and it can reach a wingspan of up to 55 mm. On Lihou, it settles on bare rock in summer, blending in so well that it seems to vanish when it lands.

This butterfly is similar to the Small White but has delicate greenish veins on the underside of its wings. Its wingspan is about 40–50 mm, and it can be found on damp grasslands or near watery corners of Lihou. If you search carefully along wild crucifer plants, you might see it fluttering in the sunshine.

A diminutive butterfly with powdery blue upperwings, the Holly Blue tends to flutter around shrubs and ivy. On Lihou, it might appear in spring or late summer, especially if there is enough food for its caterpillars. Though small (wingspan of about 25–35 mm), it adds a burst of blue to sheltered corners.

This butterfly, at 55–70 mm wingspan, is our biggest “white,” with greyish-black tips on its forewings. On Lihou, it may wander over from mainland Guernsey in spring and summer, laying eggs on any wild (or domestic) brassicas.

An abundant butterfly in many grassy habitats, the Meadow Brown features dusky brown wings and a single black eyespot with an orange wash. On Lihou, you might see it fluttering over grassy areas in summer, seeking nectar on wildflowers. With a wingspan of about 40–50 mm.

One of the world’s most widespread butterflies, the Painted Lady has orange and black wings with white spots. It migrates from North Africa to northern Europe, sometimes arriving in big influxes. With a wingspan of about 50–60 mm, it feeds on nectar plants like thistles and buddleia.

A bold, dark butterfly with red-orange bands and white spots on its forewings, the Red Admiral often visits Lihou’s flowers. Some overwinter in the Channel Islands if conditions are mild, while others arrive as migrants. With a wingspan of around 60–70 mm, it can be seen feeding on nectar or even fermenting fruit in late summer.

An orange butterfly with dark edges, the Small Copper measures about 22–30 mm in wingspan. It appears from April to October, defending its territory fiercely against intruders. Its bright colour stands out in open grassland, where it sips nectar and lays eggs on sorrel plants.

The Small Heath butterfly is hard to spot and only flies in the sunshine. It rarely flies more than a metre above the ground and always keeps its wings closed when resting. The underside of its front wing has a small eyespot, and the back wing has bands of brown, grey, and cream.

You can see Small Heath butterflies from late April to September in southern England. They live in many different places, but some colonies have disappeared in recent years. They are found all over Britain and Ireland.

You can usually see them flying from June to September. They are very rare visitors, but a few were seen in September 2015 and June 2016. They are found on other Channel Islands but not recorded in Guernsey, so it was unusual to find them on Lihou.

Also known as the Hedge Brown, the Gatekeeper has orange-brown wings with darker borders. It often appears around July to September, nectaring on brambles or wildflowers. In Lihou’s sheltered corners, you might spot them basking in the sun.

The male’s bright upperwings and the female’s more subdued tones make the Common Blue easy to identify in summer meadows. Its caterpillars rely on plants like clover or bird’s-foot-trefoil, which are plentiful on Lihou. On sunny days, these butterflies often bask with wings open, revealing flashes of vivid colour.

This small, brown butterfly has orange spots near the wing edges and can be found in Lihou’s short grasslands. With a wingspan of about 25–30 mm, it appears between May and September. Its caterpillars feed on plants like rockrose and geranium, and the island’s sunny, sandy turf provides perfect feeding and basking spots.