Best Common

Poecilocerus pictus, commonly known as the painted grasshopper, is an insect species native to South Asia, particularly India and Pakistan. It belongs to the Pyrgomorphidae family and primarily feeds on the toxic Calotropis plant, also known as milkweed. By consuming these plants, the grasshopper ab...

The buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) is a widespread European bee belonging to the Apidae family. This eusocial insect is notable for its distinctive orange and black coloration and significant role in pollinating wildflowers and agricultural crops. It’s commonly found across Europe and is...

Morpho peleides, commonly called the Peleides blue morpho or simply the blue morpho, is a large butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae, distributed from Mexico through Central America into northern South America. The dorsal surface of males displays vivid iridescent blue coloration produced by...

The Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) is a widespread dragonfly of the skimmer family, Libellulidae, native to North America. Mature males are highly recognizable by their broad, dark wing bands and a distinct, chalky white abdomen. Females and immature males look quite different, featuring brown a...

The Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) is a dragonfly species found across much of North America, from southern Canada to Mexico. It is named for the twelve black spots evenly distributed across its four wings. Mature males additionally develop white patches between the black spots, giving...

Thursley Common is a designated National Nature Reserve within Surrey, UK. This heathland area boasts significant biodiversity including extensive valley bogs and a notable population of rare dragonflies. It’s recognized internationally as a Ramsar site, highlighting its ecological importance. The c...

Wimbledon Common is a significant heathland area spanning 460 hectares in southwest London. Historically designated as common land, it features varied landscapes including grasslands and woodland. The site’s extensive wildlife habitat and open space make it valuable for local residents and nature en...

The Common Eastern Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) is a widespread social bee belonging to the Apidae family. It’s notable for its significant role in pollinating various wildflowers and garden plants across North America. This bumblebee is particularly useful for agriculturalists involved in greenhous...

The Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) is a dragonfly species in the family Libellulidae native to eastern North America. Mature males develop a powdery blue pruinescence across the body, while females and immature males are predominantly green, a sexual dimorphism notable among North Ameri...

Aulacopleura is a genus of small trilobites known especially from Silurian deposits in the Czech Republic. Large assemblages of Aulacopleura koninckii preserve individuals across many growth stages, allowing researchers to reconstruct how segments were added and body proportions changed during devel...

The Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) is a species of dragonfly belonging to the skimmer family, Libellulidae. It is found across a broad range of North America, typically inhabiting ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams. The species is distinguished by the prominent dark patches at the base of i...

Chobham Common is a National Nature Reserve located in Surrey, UK. This expansive heathland provides crucial habitat for diverse wildlife including reptiles, birds and insects. It represents one of Britain’s best-preserved lowland heaths, offering valuable opportunities for scientific study and enjo...

The Four-spotted Skimmer, scientifically known as Libellula quadrimaculata, is a common dragonfly species with a widespread Holarctic distribution across North America, Europe, and Asia. It is a medium-sized dragonfly recognizable by its golden-brown body and the distinct dark spots on the leading e...

Dalmanites limulurus is an extinct species of trilobite from Silurian rocks in New York State, including the Rochester Shale. It belongs to Dalmanitidae, a family within the order Phacopida, and has the prominent eyes, segmented exoskeleton, and elongated terminal spine associated with its genus. It...

The Carolina grasshopper (Dissosteira carolina) is a widespread insect native to North America, commonly found in open fields, pastures, and along roadsides. It is distinguished by its striking black wings with pale yellow borders, which produce a distinct clicking sound during flight. As a member o...

Bombus griseocollis is a common bumblebee found throughout much of North America. This extant species is recognized by its distinctive brown coloration and prominent band on its thorax. It plays a vital role in pollinating various plant species. Researchers studying bumblebee behavior and conservati...

The black-rumped flameback (Dinopium benghalense) is a large woodpecker species widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent. It features a striking golden-yellow plumage on its back and wings, a black rump, and a distinctive red crown. Unlike many other woodpecker species, it is highly adaptab...

The European Green Woodpecker is a common woodland bird found across Western Europe. It’s notable for its distinctive bright green feathers and specialized feeding behavior – primarily consuming ants unearthed from the forest floor. This woodpecker is particularly useful for ecological studies exami...

The Common Hawker is a large, widespread dragonfly species found across Eurasia, easily identified by its distinctive yellow costa or leading wing edge.

The red-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) is a widespread eusocial bee native to Europe. It’s notable for its distinctive black body and prominent red abdominal band, features that aid in species recognition. These bees are particularly important pollinators of wildflowers and crops. They are fre...

Frensham Common is a significant area of UK heathland located in Surrey. Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, it features extensive sand heath and two historic medieval lakes. The common supports unique plant and animal life adapted to this habitat type. It's particularly valued by w...

The Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) is a widespread skimmer dragonfly common across the United States, easily recognized by the mature male's vibrant blue abdomen.

Hankley Common is a significant UK heathland located in Surrey. Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, it’s notable for its extensive lowland heath ecosystem and remnants from World War II military training exercises, specifically D-Day simulations. The common provides valuable habitat...

The EMD GP38-2 is a common diesel-electric locomotive manufactured by General Motors Diesel (EMD) between 1972 and 1986. It’s notable for its robust design and reliability within freight service, particularly among major US railroads. This four-axle road switcher is frequently used for hauling goods...

Scutellum is a genus of extinct trilobites known from Devonian marine deposits, particularly those of present-day Europe. It belongs to a group characterized by a comparatively broad, shield-shaped pygidium, the posterior section of a trilobite's exoskeleton. Fossils assigned to the genus are of int...

The Bold Jumping Spider, *Phidippus audax*, is a prevalent spider species found across North America. It’s notable for its striking appearance featuring a dark body adorned with white markings and iridescent green fangs. These spiders are commonly observed and are particularly interesting to arachno...

The Common Darter is a ubiquitous dragonfly found across Europe, distinctively known for its late flight season, sometimes lasting into late November.

The Twinflagged Jumping Spider, classified by Charles Athanase Walckenaer in 1837, is a small North American species notable for waving its two front legs to mimic the antennae of ants.

*Neosparassus diana* is a species of large huntsman spider in the family Sparassidae native to Australia. These spiders are commonly known as “badge huntsman” due to the distinctive markings found on the underside of the abdomen, which often display contrasting colors or patterns. Like other sparass...