UK Ladybird Survey for National Insect Week

21 - 27 Jun 2010 – All Day

For National Insect Week 2010, visitors to ZSL London Zoo can help to take part in a nation-wide survey to count all of the different ladybird species, and spot the difference between native and non-native species.

Ladybird UK Ladybird Survey aims to record all native species in the United Kingdom.

Visitors to ZSL London Zoo will be searching around the zoo grounds to identify any they can find – whilst keeping an eye out for unwelcome invasive varieties such as the Harlequin ladybird.

Meet the ladybird expert sessions will run at 11.30-12.30 and 1.30-2.30 each day throughout National Insect Week

With help from an insect expert, the visitors will be able to take in lots of fun facts about ladybirds as they go.

The best place to celebrate National Insect Week is in the Zoo’s B.U.G.S exhibit . Guests can admire over 25 different insect species and check out the daily Megabugs encounter.

Visitors will have the chance to get up close and personal with some of the world’s largest creepy-crawlies, including giant millipedes and praying mantis.

Those who want to become truly immersed in the exotic world of insects should head to Butterfly Paradise for a tropical introduction to over 250 beautiful butterflies.

Walking into a giant caterpillar, Zoo visitors become engrossed in the humid world of these stunning creatures as they fly freely around the enclosure.

Although technically not an insect, keepers at ZSL London Zoo are keen to show off their amazing arachnids in the Spider Talk – visitors get the opportunity to examine a Mexican red-kneed spider at close range, where those young and old will be in awe of the legendary bird-eating spider.