Bucket list beetle! Today's field trip flashback takes us back to India where we were lucky enough to find the amazing Domino beetle (Anthia sexguttata). Check out those impressive jaws! There's a longer video on our YouTube channel.

A beautiful Puss moth (Cerura vinula) caterpillar so called after the cat-like appearance of the adult moth, this species is fairly common throughout most of the UK. If disturbed, it raises its head to show its 'face' and waves the twin tails, which have red extendable flagellae.

New project! Did you know that male tarantulas use species specific patterns of vibrations and drumming during courtship? We're looking to loan adult male tarantulas to record and build a catalogue of these sound signatures using highly sensitive contact microphones. Can you help? Send us a message!

“We had an exciting visitor to our Summer Club today! We were joined by bugsnstuff who brought various animals, insects and minibeasts to school. The children explored and learnt all about their features, habitats and adaptations with a hands-on experience. What a brilliant start to Nature Week!”

Nice to see the Northern hairy wood ants (Formica lugubris) are thriving at Hamsterley Forest! Nests can have multiple queens and contain up to 70,000 workers!

Fieldtrip flashback! Suriname 2012 after finding the Goliath tarantula (Theraphosa sp.). Footage from this trip can be found in the lovetarantulas.com documentary "THERAPHOSA & EPHEBOPUS: Suriname's giant forest floor tarantulas." 📷 Michael Jacobi.

The first female Eyed Hawkmoth (Smerinthus ocellatus) has emerged! Check out those eye spots! A male emerged soon after so we're pleased to report that they've already paired so a second generation is underway of this stunning UK moth! #bugsnstuff #researchedinthewild #bringlessonsalive

Maybe not the best idea to climb an ancient 180m rock fortress during a storm? On field trips, we rarely get a chance to be tourists but on our last day in Sri Lanka, three of us decided to climb Sigiriya. youtu.be/nLDy62S411o

New additions! Our colony of Trinidad bat-cave cockroaches (Eublaberus distanti) are finally mature! They grow to approximately 6.4 cm in length and are widespread throughout Central and Southern America.

"Year 5 had a lovely morning with Guy from bugsnstuff. They saw a range of rainforest insects, arachnids, reptiles and amphibians. All of the children were very brave and enjoyed learning about the animals in action!"

Ah, the skin bin. Everyone has one, right?

"Reception spent a fabulous morning with Guy from bugsnstuff who brought lots of amazing mega beasts to visit! Thank you so much Guy for a really amazing experience, the children loved it!"

"The Hub enjoyed a fantastic workshop today exploring creatures with a visit from Guy from bugsnstuff!"

Target tarantula no. 6 for this Sri Lankan trip - the Yellow backed Ornamental (Poecilotheria smithi), named after Andrew Smith.

We're raising a handful of Eyed Hawkmoth (Smerinthus ocellatus) caterpillars here at BNS HQ. Check out that vibrant green body and the blue-coloured spike at the rear!

"A Bug Tastic Day to Remember in Early Years and Key Stage 1! Our pupils had an unforgettable hands on learning experience as we welcomed bugsnstuff into school for a series of exciting and educational workshops meeting some incredible “Mega” creatures!"

A closer look at the beautiful colouration of target tarantula no. 5 on this Sri Lankan trip - the stunning Highland Ornamental. Is this Poecilotheria subfusca or something else? Our new lovetarantulas.com documentary answers this question once and for all. www.kickstarter.com/projects/lov...

Target tarantula no. 5 for this Sri Lankan trip - the stunning highland Ivory Ornamental (Poecilotheria subfusca) - or is it?

New addition! Cherry leg titan millipedes (Balustreptus falcatus)! A striking large species reaching up to 20cm+ in length.

We were stopped and searched twice by Sri Lanka's Department of Wildlife Conservation officers accompanied by the local Police. As we take nothing but photos, all went well. We commended them on a job well done and once we explained our project, they wanted selfies with us!

"What an incredible day we’ve had celebrating the 100th birthday of the wonderful Sir David Attenborough! To make the celebrations extra special, we had an exciting visit from bugsnstuff. The children had the opportunity to meet a variety of fascinating creatures up close!"

You could say our recent pairing of Emperor moths (Saturnia pavonia) was a success! We'll raise these up a little more before release, adding to the local population.

"This week, Year 5 enjoyed a visit from bugsnstuff and some awesome creatures. The visit supported their learning about rainforests and it was fascinating to see the animals up close and personal!"

One of our Giant vinegaroons (Mastigoproctus giganteus) is carrying eggs! The eggs are kept in a membranous sac attached to the female's body for several months before hatching.

Sri Lanka. A nice Wandering spider (Ctenidae). These free-roaming spiders don't spin a web to capture prey but actively hunt in the leaf litter using their good eyesight.

Monthly weigh-in for BEEF, one of our Smooth sided toads (Rhaebo guttatus).

Sri Lanka. A nice sized whip scorpion or vinegaroon (Thelyphonus sepiaris). When threatened, they may discharge an offensive, vinegar-smelling liquid, which contains acetic acid!

"Year 1 and 2 were such brave animal investigators this morning and met lots of minibeasts (although not so mini!) including Joanne the tarantula, a huge cockroach and even a snake! A huge thank you to Guy from bugsnstuff and well done everyone!"

"Early Years had a fantastic day today! We met Guy from bugsnstuff, who brought along his wonderful and interesting creatures to meet. We got to touch and handle some unique creatures such as a cockroach and millipede, and stroked a lizard, tarantula and snake!"

Our Emperor moths (Saturnia pavonia) are starting to hatch! We raised a bunch of these last year and they've overwintered as pupae but now they are emerging with the warmer weather. This stunning female is now ready for release!

The stunning Blossom Krait (Rhabdophis ceylonensis), a venomous snake endemic to Sri Lanka and classed as near threatened on the ICUN Red List. When threatened, it inflates its neck to expose the red skin between the dorsal scales.

Mass emergence of Heather beetles (Lochmaea suturalis) gathered on the walls of Derwent reservoir during high winds. While they are a natural part of the ecosystem, their populations occasionally explode causing devastating damage to heather moorlands.

A small juvenile Fringed Ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria ornata) sitting outside its retreat in Sri Lanka. One of many found that day.

"Year 5 bugsnstuff. Today we had an amazing visit from Guy to learn all about insects and reptiles from different parts of the world, from the rainforest to the desert. We were told so much information and facts about each animal before getting to hold and stroke a few!"

"Miss Shorts class have enjoyed a lovely day of BUGS! They enjoyed a visit from bugsnstuff and held some fabulous creatures!"

We got the call in the middle of the night - a local had found a large Poecilotheria vittata in their kitchen so we rushed to the scene. Footage can be seen in our upcoming Tiger Spiders of Sri Lanka doc that we're currently raising production funds for on Kickstarter. Visit lovetarantulas.com

"To launch Year 1’s Learning Enquiry, ‘What a Wonderful World‘ Guy from bugsnstuff visited school yesterday. He bought with him lots of different creatures and taught the children about mini-beasts, lifecycles, habitats and adaptation."

Leeches! Constant companions in certain areas of Sri Lanka. This clip shows how much they expand once fed. Harmless and painless but certainly an inconvenience! (Haemadipsa zeylanica).

"I just wanted to say a huge thank you on behalf of all the staff and children for the visit today! The children were so excited and really enjoyed their morning. They have been telling all the staff in school (especially at lunchtime) about the animals they met, and which was their favourite!"

Sri Lanka. A decent sized Longhorn beetle (Prionomma atratum) attracted to our lights during a downpour.

"Reception had a ‘bugtastic’ morning with Guy from bugsnstuff! They met Joanne the Tarantula and Russell the Cockroach amongst many other megabeasts! Did you know, Tarantulas can have up to 2,000 babies at once?!"

"Our bugsnstuff visit was a huge hit - featuring a blue-tongued skink, Russell the cockroach and Joanne the tarantula! Inspiring curiosity, courage and a real love of science!"

Our Kickstarter page is now live! lovetarantulas is raising production funds for a new tarantula documentary: Andrew Smith’s POECILOTHERIA : Tiger Spiders of SRI LANKA. Visit lovetarantulas.com to find out more.

Reaching up to 10cms in length, Jerdon's Bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus crassus) is Sri Lanka's largest frog species, often seen out after heavy rain.

"Year 5 really enjoyed their visit from bugsnstuff yesterday, where they got up close and personal with some creatures!"

Target tarantula no. 4 for this trip Sri Lankan trip - the Ivory Ornamental (Poecilotheria subfusca).

"Reception also enjoyed a brilliant morning yesterday with bugsnstuff! They were so brave and enjoyed learning about the different animals."

Top camouflage on this Oriental Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor) spotted near Yala National Park, Sri Lanka.

Years 3 and 4 had a great afternoon learning about and meeting, some interesting creatures including a tarantula, lizard, snake and even a glow in the dark scorpion!

Sri Lanka has some impressive millipedes such as this highly arboreal Spineplate millipede (Harpagophoridae) that can reach up to 25cm in length!