We are all connected - C
European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), a common British species that is well established in our urban environment. Read more here.
Manchester Museum.
The Queen Alexandra's birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae), the largest butterfly species in the world, native to Papua New Guinea where it is known from the three localities only; threatened by habitat loss and illegal collecting, continues to decline in the wild. Read more here.
Manchester Museum.
Slippery Jack (Suillus luteus), one of the most popular edible mushrooms collected in Russia; especially tasty when pickled.
Manchester Museum.
European Mole (Talpa europaea), a widespread and common British species. Read more here.
Manchester Museum, A.1531
Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) is not a native bird species in the UK, originally from Asia; it is a common target of ‘game’ shooting in the countryside, for which only captive bred birds are used. Read more here.
This model of the Cuckoo Pint Plant (Arum maculatum) is made out of papier-mache. The right-hand model shows the whole flowering structure at about twice life size. The tiny flowers are arranged on a club-shaped spike protected by a leaf-like outer covering. The flowers are hidden in the pitcher-shaped lower part and you can just see the top of the spike peeking out. The left hand model shows details of the spike and the tiny flowers at about 4 times life size. The top of the spike heats up and gives off a rotting smell, attracting flies to pollinate the flowers. The flies push their way into the pitcher-shaped lower part, where a ring of hairs traps them overnight. Crawling around inside their little ‘bug hotel’, first the flies brush off any pollen they are already carrying. Then the plant starts producing its own pollen and this sticks to the flies. By the morning, the little hairs have dried out, and so the flies can escape. They leave carrying away pollen, and later perhaps they will be stuck in another cuckoo pint trap. Read more here.
Manchester Museum.
Giant Katydid (Siliquofera grandis) is one of the largest species of bush crickets in the world, native to tropical forests of Australasia (Papua New Guinea and norther-west Australia). Lives in the canopies of tropical trees.
Manchester Museum.
A wooden store box with the specimens of leaf beetles (family Chrysomelidae), a part of the overseas beetle collection of the Manchester Museum.
Model of the 7-Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), one of the commonest and most familiar ladybird species, and ubiquitous inhabitant of gardens and parks. Read more here.
Manchester Museum.
Chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius) are edible mushrooms, but there are other harmful mushrooms which look similar. The fungus lives on tree roots such as Scots Pine and Silver Birch. These fungi are beneficial to the tree, helping them get nutrients from the soil. Read more here.
Manchester Museum.
In the wild, Hide and Larder Beetles of the family Dermestidae are scavengers associated with carcasses and bird’s nests where they feed on hides, skins, feathers, dried meat and tendons. Although these beetles are important natural decomposers of dead animals and birds, they could also be serious household pests. Read more here and here.
Manchester museum.