Flies
Meet the bottle green semaphore fly, with its amazing courtship displays
Entomologist Martin Drake sings the praises of the semaphore fly, a record-breaking and fascinating species.
Winter gnats: all you need to know
Flies aren’t just harbingers of doom or individuals of dubious personal habits, argues Dr Erica McAlister, but instead some of the most ecological important, diverse and attractive species of animal on the planet. Here she explains all you need to know winter gnats
Bog hoverfly: its diet, habitat and why its endangered
The bog hoverfly is elusive, easily disturbed and listed as Critically Endangered. Catherine Mitson explains more
Bee flies: what they are and some common bee fly species
Fluffy, cute and important pollinators - what's not to love about bee flies? Dr Erica McAlister discusses these fascinating flies.
Mega insect migration stuns scientists
Seeing millions of insects cross from Asia to Europe has been a revelation
30+ books on insects and invertebrates
From the captivating secrets of flies, to the bizarre and wonderful process of metamorphosis, discover a wide range of titles on insects and invertebrates by naturalists and scientists.
BBC Radio 2 launches the Big Bee Challenge
In this new competition, BBC Radio 2 is encouraging us to create a better environment for the bees.
New invertebrate photography competition launched
The new annual photography awards will celebrate insects and other invertebrates, with judges including Buglife president Germaine Greer, naturalist and BBC Wildlife columnist Nick Baker and professional invertebrate photographers such as Levon Biss.
What's the insect equivalent of blood?
Insects don't have blood or haemoglobin like vertebrates do - so how does gas exchange occur, and what is the purpose of haemolymph?
The dead donkey fly and the reindeer bot-fly
Tony Irwin takes a look at the dead donkey fly and the reindeer bot-fly
New study on the best garden plants for pollinators
Recent research reveals the most attractive flowering plants for Britain’s pollinating insects
Hornet robberfly: what it is
Robberflies are truly some of the most amazing species on the planet with the hornet robberfly being one of the UK’s largest species of insects, and the most fabulous, argues Dr Erica McAlister.
Migrating hoverflies are providing essential pollination and pest control in the UK
These insects are thought to transport billions of pollen grains between Britain and Europe each year and contribute to successful ecosystem function.
Fly of the Month - Clubbed general soldierfly
The 48 species of the family Stratiomyidae or soldierflies include what are amongst the most spectacular flies in Britain, argues Dr Malcolm Smart. They rival the hoverflies both in respect of their size and brilliant colour patterns. It is appropriate that one of our flies of the month should be a characteristic stratiomyid.
Fly of the month - the fancy-legged fly
The International #YearOfTheFly has so far highlighted some of the less numerous groups of British flies. But now, in the month of May when the business of serious flirting occurs, one of the truly species rich families, of some of the most amorous of flies, is the Dolichopodidae.
Fly of the Month - Tachina ursina
Chris Raper from the Natural History Museum discusses why parasitic flies like Tachina ursina are so fascinating.
Widespread losses of pollinators in Britain
New research shows that a third of British insect pollinator species have declined in the last 30 years.
Fly of the month - Fonseca's seed fly
The tiny Fonseca's seed fly is one of the UK's rarest endemic invertebrates, and is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. BBC Wildlife speaks to Craig Macadam from Buglife about this threatened species.
What do hoverflies and honeybees have in common?
New study shows the fates of these pollinating insects may be closely linked.
How and why would flies get into ointments?
Entomologist Richard Jones demystifies a well-known saying.
Why do horseflies have such pretty eyes?
BBC Wildlife contributor and entomologist Richard Jones discusses why horseflies have colourful eyes.
6 robberflies to look out for
We asked entomologist Steven Falk to choose his top robberflies to spot in the UK.
Fly species found in UK for first time
An amateur entomologist has discovered a black-bee fly in his garden.
How do venus flytraps trap flies?
BBC Wildlife contributor Stuart Blackman answers your wild question.