Insects
Some insects have found a stronghold in the woods of Scotland’s rainforest. Credit Peter Eeles, Butterfly Conservation
The damp environment and huge variety of plants, make Scotland’s rainforest an ideal habitat for lots of different insect species. Be warned, that does mean they’re a hotspot for midges at certain times of the year, so make sure you protect yourself if you’re going for a walk on a still, dull day!
Rainforest habitats are very varied, and include lots of different types of woodland, some of which are dominated by oak, some by pine, and some of which are mixed. That means you’ll see different insects depending on where you are.
But you’ll also find some quite rare insects in the rainforest, though you may need some luck to spot them!
Pearl-bordered fritillary
Pearl-bordered fritillary. Credit Ian H Leach, Butterfly Conservation
The pearl-bordered fritillary is one of the most rapidly declining butterflies in the UK, but you can still see them in Scotland’s rainforest! Look for it in sheltered, sunny woodland glades, particularly where you see bracken and dog violets. They get their name from the line of pearl-like white marks that border the edge of its underwing. The underwing itself looks a bit like a cubist painting, with a mix of yellow and dark orange interspersed with black dots and lines. The caterpillars are small, black and spiny, and appear in March after hibernating through the winter.
The small pearl-bordered fritillary, which is more common, can also be seen in the rainforest. They fly at the same time, and can be hard to tell apart.
For for ID help, visit the Butterfly Conservation website.
Chequered skipper
The small, but feisty, chequered skipper butterfly. Credit Tim Melling, Butterfly Conservation
These rare butterflies are now mostly found in and around temperate rainforest sites in Scotland, though they’ve also been recently re-introduced to England. They’re small butterflies, and the males are aggressive and fast-flying. They’re most obvious in the spring when they can be seen defending their territories against other males. They like damp grasslands, and lay their eggs on purple moor-grass.
Azure hawker
Scotland’s rainforest habitats aren’t just woodland. Its streams, rivers and pools are just as important for wildlife. Azure hawkers are one of the rarer dragonflies that you might see around boggy pools near the forest edge. These beautiful blue dragonflies can only be found in some parts of Scotland, but they’re quite elusive. Another dragonfly to look out for in the rainforest is the black darter.
The Scottish midge
Do you dare…? Credit Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
If you visit the west of Scotland in the summer months, it’s almost inevitable that you will encounter the little biting menace known as the Highland midge.
They’re actually a type of fly, and there are around 650 different species of midge found in the UK, of which roughly 150 will bite. The main culprit in the rainforest is a species called Culcoides impunctatus. These live in wet, boggy areas, and tend to be on the wing after the sun has set, or when it’s overcast – or also in shaded areas (like forests!) You’re less likely to see them on windy days, and they’re usually not a problem in exposed areas, such as mountainsides.
Female midges bite so that they can feed on blood, which provides them with enough energy to lay their eggs. They don’t just bite humans, of course, and will nibble on birds and mammals too.
Midges are an important insect in the ecosystem, as they’re a food source for spiders, fish, bats, birds and more. The population varies each year, and sometimes there are several generations in one summer, so the number of midges you encounter is likely to vary. But sometimes those numbers are in the millions.
While appreciating their importance, it’s entirely fair to say that midges are also very annoying! Their bites don’t pose a danger to humans, but they do hurt and itch, and some people can react badly to them. The midges themselves are also very small, and have a habit of getting inside clothes, tents and shoes, no matter what you do to keep them out.
By visiting in the spring, autumn or winter, you’ll avoid the worst of midge season, but if you’re walking in the rainforest in summer, you might want to take some precautions. Here’s some guidance from Countryfile, and for a closer look at midges, check out the video below.
