Nature features

National Insect Week | Monday 23 June - Sunday 29 June 2008

Are you somebody who thinks insects have too many legs to be lovely? You're missing out.

Astounding arrays of shape and colour adorn the insect world, and this week (Monday 23 June 2008 - Sunday 29 June 2008) is a great way to delve into their world.

To be sure of a fascinating encounter with some six-legged wonders this week, head to one of the 'insect week' events taking place in Berkshire (details below).

You can join in the Moth Night at Dinton Pastures Country Park, or follow a bug trail and transform yourself into an insect at the Living Rainforest!

A glow-worm in action

The brightest bottom in Berkshire...

The glow-worm is a beetle with, arguably, the brightest bottom in Berkshire. This is the flightless female, advertising her whereabouts to males.

They are out there now glowing each night, performing their modest show for a limited time only. Take a guided glow-worm walk at Bucklebury Common on Thursday for your best chance to spot one.

Have a ball with moths...

Moths at Dinton Pastures will suit the armchair enthusiast – for a start you don't have to book, just turn up.

Poplar Hawk Moth (c) Jason Ball

The experts do all the work for you, setting up the special lamps, and doing the identification. And it's free. What could be simpler?

 Moths have a reputation of being dull compared to butterflies, but they can be striking, especially up close. A good moth night can reveal an amazing diversity, and it makes you wonder how so many moths are hidden away during the day.

'Without insects we would all starve'

At the Living Rainforest they have some rather spectacular and exotic creatures for you to meet. The attraction's director, Karl Hansen, explains why they are taking part in National Insect Week 2008.

Giant Stick Insect

"Insects are brilliant!" he says, "People love to hate them but without pollinators, we would all starve,"

"This weekend at The Living Rainforest, visitors will have the chance to meet Giant Stick Insects and other gigantic invertebrates and they have the chance to transform themselves into a favourite insect at one of our creative workshops."

There's more than three million of 'em!

And next time you're about to say insects are weird, please think on this: the sheer variety of insect life, with over three million species, outnumbers all other types of animal discovered. So maybe insects are the norm, and by comparison we are rather… odd.

Events

Why not meet up with some insects this week?

• Thursday 26 June 2008

Bucklebury Common (8.30pm – 10pm)
Nightjars and Glow-worms at dusk

Tim Culley leads a late evening walk looking at heathland restoration and some of the specialised wildlife associated with this habitat, including Nightjars and Glow worms. Stout footwear is necessary.

Meet at Angel's Corner, by the Scout Hut on Bucklebury Common at 8.30pm.  Grid ref: SU 550 688. Part of the events diary of the Pang Kennet and Lambourn Valley Countryside Project. Tel: 0118 930 5336.

• Friday 27 June 2008

Dinton Pastures Country Park (from 8.30pm)
Moth Evening

Norman Hall leads this event with the Berkshire Moth Group.

• Saturday 28 June 2008

Living Rainforest (11am – 3pm)
Face Painting

Even if you're just popping into the café and shop, you can have a go at this. You'll certainly catch everyone's eye for the rest of the day!

• Saturday 28 June and Sunday 29 June 2008

Living Rainforest (throughout the day)
Meet the Bugs and Insects

An expert on hand all day to show you some star insects.

• Sunday 29 June 2008

Living Rainforest (11am – 3pm)
Transform into an Insect!

Add wings, a bit of artistic face paint and…

See below for details of event locations.

Contact details

Dinton Pastures Country Park
Tel: 01189 751499
Davis Street
Hurst
Berkshire
RG10 0TH

The Living Rainforest
Tel: 01635 202444
Hampstead Norreys
Berkshire RG18 0TN
www.livingrainforest.org

Pang Kennet and Lambourn Valley Countryside Project.
Tel: 0118 930 5336
www.pangandkennetvalleys.org.uk