(Above) A Soldier Beetle photographed by Greg Hitchcock.
Event: National Insect Week 2010 - various venues from June 21 until June 27.
It is estimated that roughly one million species of insects have been catalogued and described worldwide - more than all other animal types combined - and a further four of five million are yet to be described.
This incredible diversity is celebrated and explored by National Insect Week, which takes place in the UK between June 21 and June 27 2010.
Organised by the Royal Entomological Society, the week is part of the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity and brings in a wide range of more than 30 partners, from specialist entomological societies to national organisations concerned with many aspects of wildlife, agriculture and natural recreation.
A Painted Lady
Museums and libraries right across the UK are hosting talks, workshops, displays and fun activities to give people of all ages the opportunity to learn more about the creatures we share our planet with.
“One of our most important messages for this year’s initiative is that insect diversity is just as relevant and fascinating to explore in your garden or local park or countryside as it is in the savannahs, deserts, wetlands and rainforests,” says the Royal Entomological Society’s President Professor Lin Field.
“There’s a whole world of diversity to discover – and it’s literally on all of our doorsteps.”
(Above) A Common Wasp Queen
In the UK alone there are over 24,000 different species and on average, there are 10,000 million insects living in every square kilometer of habitable land on Earth - that's 10,000 in every square metre.
To discover more about this world visit www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk where you will find insect facts, indexes and surveys and a complete guide to what's happening during the week.