Have you ever wondered what makes those little balls of froth, popularly known as “cuckoo spit”, that you find on plant stems during the summer? Blow gently on the froth and you'll find your answer. Inside the frothy mass you'll find one or more yellow-green insect nymphs – the young of the common frog hopper, also known as the cuckoo spit bug or spittle bug. The common frog … [Read more...] about Common Frog Hopper (Philaenus spumarius)
Invertebrates
Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
The holly blue is a tiny blue butterfly that has a scattered distribution around Ireland. It is largely confined to the relatively scarce patches of native woodland that still support both holly and ivy. It is also found in urban and suburban gardens or parkland where these plants feature prominently. This attractive little insect exhibits a pronounced north-south divide when … [Read more...] about Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
Common Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)
This widespread jellyfish species is found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans across a variety of climate zones. Optimum water temperature for the species is between 9 and 19 degrees Celsius, but it can tolerate a much wider temperature range from -6 degrees Celsius to as high as 31 degrees Celsius. Also known as the moon jelly and saucer jelly, this is the most common … [Read more...] about Common Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)
Common Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)
The common or European cuttlefish is one of the most amazing creatures living in the seas around Ireland. Favouring the warmer conditions found around our south west, south and south east coasts this close relative of the squid and octopus belongs to an advanced group of molluscs known as cephalopods – widely regarded as the most intelligent and active group of invertebrates on … [Read more...] about Common Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)
Acorn Barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides)
Barnacles are a common sight around Ireland's rocky shores. These tiny animals form the familiar off-white patchwork that often covers large swathes of rock between the high and low water marks. Barnacles are crustaceans, relatives of crabs, shrimps and lobsters, although they were not firmly accepted as part of that group until as late as the 1830s. Before that the sedentary … [Read more...] about Acorn Barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides)
