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Invertebrates make up at least 65% of all species on the planet and are one of the essential building blocks for other living organisms. They include our most important decomposers, creating nutrient-rich soil, and pollinators, ensuring the fertilisation and continuation of many plants and trees.

Invertebrates are animals that do not have a spine or backbone. There are over 1,300,000 species of invertebrates, compared to just over 69,960 species of vertebrates (those with a spine or backbone). They come in all shapes and sizes, and more are being discovered every year!

This area provides some tips on finding and identifying invertebrates, as well as a Bug Directory packed with fact sheets on some of the species you may encounter in your homes or gardens, in meadows and streams or even at the seaside.

Browse our Bug Directory

Our directory is constantly growing with fact sheets on bugs. Impress friends and family with your bug knowledge!

Explore the Directory

Identify a Bug

Use our resources and ID questionnaire to help you identify the bug that you’ve found.

Photo Tips for Bugs

Buglife’s team share their top tips for photographing bugs.

Invertebrate Habitats

Learn about the bugs found in different habitats.

Awesome bug facts!

8 out of 10

wildflowers depend on insect pollination.

Two-thirds

of the world’s crops rely on pollinators.

14 million kilograms

of insect prey, such as caterpillars and greenfly, eaten by wasps every year in the UK.

1,300,000 +

invertebrate species discovered on the planet (the number is still growing).

$3 billion

the estimated annual value of pollination in the US.

£367 million

the annual value of dung beetles to the UK economy.

£12.6 billion

the estimated value of pollination services for EU crops.

£691 million

the annual value of pollination to the UK economy.

40,000

species of invertebrate discovered in Great Britain.

Featured bugs...

Glorious Grasshoppers

Join our hunt for grasshoppers and crickets. Learn more about how you can get involved here.

Perfect Pollinators

One out of every three mouthfuls of our food depend on pollinators, yet pollinators face a myriad of threats and are declining globally. Learn more here.

Spectacular Spiders

Spiders deserve our love not fear – find out why here.

Wonderful Wasps

Wasps are an important insect-controlling predator. Learn more about them here.

Help us to stop the extinction of invertebrate species

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Every contribution helps us to save the small things that run the planet by restoring vital habitats and rebuilding strong invertebrate populations in the UK.

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Join a community of invertebrate champions and access exclusive member benefits from just £3 a month, all whilst supporting our vital conservation work.

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