INSECTS – Life Beneath Our Feet

Česká Příroda / Czech Nature / INSECTS


European Mantis

(Mantis religiosa)


Habitat: Meadows, steppes, pastures, heathlands, quarries, sandy pits
Diet: Insects
Activity: Active during the day




Stag Beetle

(Lucanus cervus)


Habitat: Deciduous forests, parks, gardens with dead wood or stumps
Diet: Nectar, tree sap
Activity: Mostly at dusk




Longhorn Beetles

(Cerambycidae)


Habitat: Forests, gardens, parks
Diet: Decaying wood, pollen, nectar
Activity: Varies depending on species





Ground Beetles

(Carabidae)


Habitat: Forests, gardens, parks, meadows
Diet: Insects, snails, spiders, earthworms
Activity: Mostly nocturnal





Grasshoppers

(Acrididae)

Habitat: Meadows, steppes, pastures, heathlands, quarries, sandy areas
Diet: Plants
Activity: Active during the day





Bush Crickets

(Tettigoniidae)


Habitat: Meadows, steppes, pastures, heathlands, quarries, sandy areas
Diet: Insects, plant parts
Activity: Mainly during the day




Leafhoppers

(Cicadellidae)


Habitat: Meadows, steppes, pastures, heathlands, quarries, sandy areas
Diet: Plant sap
Activity: Active during the day




Dragonflies

(Odonata)


Habitat: Ponds, streams, marshes
Diet: Insects
Activity: Active during the day





Butterflies

(Lepidoptera)


Habitat: Meadows, steppes, pastures, forests, gardens, parks, quarries
Diet: Nectar
Activity: Diurnal or nocturnal, depending on species



Beetles

(Coleoptera)


Habitat: Meadows, forests, gardens, fields, wetlands – almost everywhere
Diet: Depends on species – leaves, wood, nectar, other insects, carrion
Activity: Diurnal or nocturnal, depending on species



True Bugs

(Heteroptera)


Habitat: Meadows, fields, gardens, forest edges, near water
Diet: Plant sap; some species prey on small insects
Activity: Mainly during the day



Flies, Mosquitoes and others

(Diptera)


Habitat: Meadows, forests, wetlands, water bodies, human dwellings – nearly everywhere
Diet: Depends on species – nectar, pollen, decaying matter, blood
Activity: Diurnal or nocturnal



Hymenopterans (Wasps, Bees, Ants, etc.)

(Hymenoptera)


Habitat: Meadows, gardens, forests, fields, parks, urban areas
Diet: Nectar, pollen, honey, insects, plant material
Activity: Mostly during the day



Larvae (Caterpillars, Grubs, Wireworms, etc.)


Habitat: Leaves of trees and shrubs, herbs, soil, decaying wood
Diet: Leaves, roots, wood, organic debris
Activity: Diurnal or nocturnal, depending on species