Articles by Chris Foster

Chris Foster

Naturalist, birder, ringing trainee, writer, drinker of much tea. Teaching Associate & PhD student at the University of Reading with interests in nature conservation, entomology and landscape ecology.

  • W is for Wart-Biter

    ‘W’ is for Wart-Biter, which, much to the astonishment of anybody you tell, does just that.

    By Chris Foster on 22nd July 2015
  • V is for Vespid

    The fact that a close eye is being kept out for any invasion of V. velutina in this country is down to the potential threat to commercial pollination services and native wildlife, not because of any human health risk.

    By Chris Foster on 1st July 2014
  • U is for Urticae

    A good crop of nettles may well be followed by a spectacular crop of butterflies – so switch off that strimmer, put down that weedkiller, and let them fly free.

    By Chris Foster on 19th May 2014
  • S is for Scorpionflies

    Scorpionflies make fast, direct, whirring flights that are characteristically stop-start – darting off in a perfectly straight line and then dropping suddenly back into a resting posture.

    By Chris Foster on 30th January 2014
  • R is for Rhododendron Leafhoppers

    In the south-east of England at least, rhododendron leafhoppers are now pretty common, having first arrived in the 1930s. Since becoming aware of their existence, I’ve not failed to find them in any rhododendron-rich area I’ve searched.

    By Chris Foster on 17th December 2013
  • P is for Psyllids vs Psocids

    Both are rather small insects, with somewhat stereotypically protruding ‘bug’ eyes, and also share the habit of folding their wings up over their backs in a tent-like arrangement.

    By Chris Foster on 4th November 2013
  • O is for Orthops

    Whilst they aren’t the most spectacular insects in Britain, I’m glad to have gotten to know them, just one of the common insect groups I’ve stumbled on this year which were hitherto unknown to me.

    By Chris Foster on 10th September 2013
  • N is for Neuroptera

    Aside from them being quite nice to look at, there’s a good reason for gardeners to encourage lacewings to share their home for the winter, or even better, to provide a purpose built lacewing home.

    By Chris Foster on 23rd August 2013
  • M is for Mosquito

    Am I, and the press at large, being unnecessarily harsh on mozzies?

    By Chris Foster on 8th August 2013