bugs
Bugs Count mobile phone app
Your free mobile guide to the bug world
The Bugs Count app is now available for iPhone, iPod Touch and Android users.
From shieldbugs and beetles to hoverflies and bumblebees, the diverse world of invertebrates is now at your fingertips. Discover interesting facts, identification tips and stunning photographs of bugs from London’s Natural History Museum.
You can also help OPAL scientists with valuable research by looking for the six Species Quest bugs. If you find one, you can use the app to take and submit a photo directly from your phone. Your observation will appear instantly on our Species Quest map.
Features
ID Guide
Find out more about common groups of bugs, including interesting facts and ID tips. What exactly is the difference between a grasshopper and a cricket?
Species Quest
Help scientists at the Natural History Museum by taking and sending photos of the six important Species Quest bugs.
Gallery
Explore stunning images of UK bugs photographed by the Natural History Museum.
The app can be used on its own or as part of the OPAL Bugs Count survey.
Download the app for free
You can download this free app through the App Store or Android Marketplace on your mobile phone. Search for 'OPAL bugs', or use the links below.
Supported Android handsets
The Bugs Count app is currently supported for the following handsets: HTC Desire, HTC Desire HD and Samsung Galaxy S.
Unfortunately, the app may not function or display correctly on other handsets (particularly those with small screens).
Please keep an eye out for an update in the coming weeks, which will address these compatibility issues.
Help and support
Experiencing problems with the Bugs Count app? Please email us with details of the problem and we will do our very best to help. Any technical issues will be addressed in future updates.
Email us using our contact us form.
Take part in the Bugs Count survey
Join in a timed challenge to find and identify as many bugs as you can. You can use the Bugs Count app to help you.
Species Quest - have you seen one of these six bugs?
Is the Tree Bumblebee flourishing in urban areas? How far north has the Green Shieldbug spread?
By letting us know if you find one of these six species, you'll contribute to important invertebrate research. You can submit your sighting as part of the Bugs Count survey, or separately, using our Species Quest form.
Please include a photo so that your record can be added to national distribution maps.
Select one of the Species Quest invertebrates below to learn more about them
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Bugs Count - join in our nationwide bug hunt
Help us investigate how the built environment affects invertebrates
Do you know what bugs are living near you? Take part in Bugs Count and discover the incredible variety of invertebrates that make their home around us.
Find as many bugs as you can in our timed challenges and keep a special eye out for the six Species Quest bugs.
Your findings will help scientists learn more about the distribution of invertebrates across the country and how the urban environment may be affecting them.
Crawlies aren't creepy!
Bugs, or invertebrates, are a vital part of our environment. They can pollinate plants, recycle nutrients, and they provide an important food source for birds and mammals.
Bugs counted so far
How to take part
Step 1 - Download and print the documents below in colour.
Step 2 - Find a suitable area and start looking for bugs!
Step 3 - Tell us what you find using our simple online form.
Did you know?
Despite their names, Glow Worms (Lampyris noctiluca) are actually beetles. Only the flightless females can glow - to attract the flying males.
Ready to enter your results online?
Just want to submit a Species Quest sighting?
Use the form below to tell us about a Species Quest bug you've spotted outside the survey. Please include a photo if you can.
Download the Bugs Count app
Browse ID tips, photos, facts, and submit your Species Quest observations direct from your mobile phone.
Problems entering your results online?
Send your results to: FREEPOST RSCH-CHYJ-HYYC, OPAL, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ.
Downloads - what you need to get involved
 Field notebook:Instructions and recording sheet |
 Pocket ID guide:Illustrated cards to help you identify the bugs you find |
 Species Quest:Can you find one of these six species? |
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Alternative Pocket ID Guide (PDF) - Prints on fewer pages |
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You may download these documents for use in the context of the OPAL project only. All other rights are reserved.
Group leaders and teachers
Download our group leader support pack, teaching supplement and example risk assessment.
View the results so far
Bugs Count is being led by the Natural History Museum.
Policy and regulation
To find out about the current health of UK biodiversity and England's 10-year strategy to protect wildlife, visit:
Explore Nature
This is where you can explore your interest in nature further.
CREST science awards for primary and secondary schools
CREST is a nationally recognised award programme for science project work. Designed by the British Science Association, they are open to children aged 5 - 19 years.
Learn more about CREST and how to take part on the British Science Association website.
Discover Classification - free teacher resource pack
The OPAL team at the Natural History Museum has developed a free resource pack to support the teaching of biological classification in secondary schools.
Aimed at Key Stage 3, the resource pack includes a series of three lessons on classifying species, two extension lessons and supporting PowerPoint presentations. The pack also serves as useful revision for Key Stage 4.
Learn more about climate change and ask questions to the experts
Do you have a question about climate change? Submit your question online, and experts at the Met Office will try to answer as many as possible.
You can also test your knowledge in our climate change quiz, share your weather photos, try your hand at making a tornado, and find out when the OPAL Weather Roadshow is visiting near you.
Mission:Explore - challenge yourself and explore the world
Learn more about the world around you through a series of exciting challenges. Earn points and rewards as you go and see if you can top the Mission:Explore leaderboard.
All the missions make for great school and outdoor activities. Try the OPAL challenges and earn your Nature Explorer badge.
Build your own bee hotel and help support our bee populations
Create a home for bees and join the OPAL West Midlands bee hotel project.
By placing a bee hotel in your garden you'll help support a number of important bee species. You can also help the OPAL West Midland team develop a photographic guide for the bees that use the hotel.
Join in our BioBlitzes, or get help with running your own
BioBlitzes are an exciting race against the clock where scientists and members of the public work together to find as many species as possible. Not only are they great fun, but they also collect useful scientific data.
See our BioBlitz page for information on upcoming BioBlitzes that you can get involved in, and read about OPAL's very first BioBlitz in Wembury.
We've also produced a guide for those of you interested in running your own BioBlitz.
Free Darwin Guide
Learn to explore and record wildlife just like Charles Darwin. Co-authored by Darwin's great-great-grandson, The Darwin Guide has been produced by the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) to inspire people of all ages to record and enjoy nature.
It's completely free and can be downloaded or ordered from the NBN website.
Join the Earthworm Society of Britain
Get to know more about earthworms with the help of experts, take part in field trips to improve your identification skills and help scientists with ongoing research.
The Earthworm Society of Britain has been created to give everyone the chance to learn more about these fascinating creatures.
Watch Nature Live events
Nature Live events give you the chance to meet experts and learn all about the natural world. They are hosted and run by the Natural History Museum.
We have arranged a number of Nature Live OPAL specials and they are all available to watch again here. See the videos from our recent bat weekend and learn more about these incredible animals.
Join a local nature group
Fancy getting more involved in nature? Want to help the environment and meet like-minded people?
Joining a nature society or wildlife recording group is a great way to learn more about your local wildlife, improve your identification skills and help the environment. Activities can range from wildlife recording to practical conservation tasks.
Join in the urban tree survey
What trees are growing in your garden or local park? Submit your findings online and help the Natural History Museum with a nationwide survey.
Taking part is quick and simple, and there's a free identification guide on the Museum site to help you.
Get chatting in the bug forum
Curious about caterpillars? Amazed by ants? Or just wondering what that strange-looking bug in your house is?
Join the Natural History Museum’s bug forum and you can upload photos of a bug you’ve spotted and the Museum’s scientists will help you identify it. You can also ask all your bug-related questions. Insects, spiders, centipedes and any other creepy crawlies you find are all welcome.