Invertebrates

A remarkable range of invertebrates lives in the Park. Records so far include 139 spider species, 546 butterfly and moth species and over 1350 beetle species including one specialist that lives on deer dung. At least 150 species of solitary bees and wasps are also to be found in the Park; most are tiny but they make distinctive burrows in sandy soils and banks - look out for them on worn sandy paths.

Thanks to volunteer and professional recorders we have records for around 21 butterfly species and something over 525 species of moths. Some of our typical grassland butterflies include the Small Heath, Meadow Brown and 3 species of Skipper. For those with sharp eyesight, Purple Hairstreak butterflies may also be seen flying about in the canopies of our oak trees. The Park is a particular stronghold for the rare Double Line moth found in shaded grasslands in Richmond Park, Bushy Park and Wimbledon Common, and which occurs nowhere else in southeast England. This is just one of 21 nationally scarce or threatened moths occurring in the Park!