Wildlife

Wildlife in Spain is incredibly diverse, from Iberian lynx and brown bears to flamingos and eagles. Spain’s varied landscapes, including mountains, wetlands, and forests, provide habitats for many unique species. Observing wildlife offers a chance to connect with nature and learn about conservation efforts.

Yellow carpenter bee – Xylocopa Pubescens

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Yellow carpenter bee - Xylocopa Pubescans

The yellow carpenter bee – Xylocopa Pubescens is typically found in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, and the Middle East, ranging from Cape Verde to South Asia. However, it has recently expanded its distribution to the Canary islands and mainland Spain. This species prefers relatively warm areas with a minimum temperature of 18 °C (64 °F) for foraging, so it is expected to be restricted to coastal and low altitude areas of Iberia.

One notable feature of Xylocopa pubescens is its strong sexual dimorphism. Females are black with bright yellow fur on their thorax, which is large and shiny black. On the other hand, males are smaller and distinguished by a narrow head and yellow pubescence that covers their entire bodies.

(Top image – Female Xylocopa pubescens – Author: Jan Richtr – https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxonimage/id109367/?taxonid=399701&type=1)

Yellow carpenter bee - Xylocopa Pubescans
Male Xylocopa pubescens – Photo from https://spain.inaturalist.org/taxa/357357-Xylocopa-pubescens

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Parnassius apollo – Apollo – Apolo

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Parnassius apollo - Apollo - Apolo

Parnassius apollo – Apollo – Apolo is a mountain species of butterfly that typically inhabits hills and flowery alpine meadows in continental European mountains, including Spain. This species requires specific climatic conditions, such as cold winters and sunny summers. It also prefers wide open spaces with less than 5% shrub cover and ample meadow surfaces of at least 50%. The presence of host plants for caterpillars is also crucial for its survival.

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Mantis in Iberia

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Mantis of Iberia - Empuza penata

Mantis in Iberia are carnivorous insects that rest on plants while they await their prey. The size, colour and shape can vary greatly between species through their virtually world wide distribution, which consists of more than 1800 species. The green, brown or grey body colouring that we see in these European species allows them to … Read more

Rare Mantises in Spain: A Closer Look at Lesser-Known Species

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Rare Mantises in Spain: A Closer Look at Lesser-Known Species

Mantises, commonly known as “Praying Mantises,” are fascinating insects that can be found in various regions of Spain. Some of the more common species, such as the Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa), European Dwarf Mantis (Ameles spallanzania), African Mantis (Sphodromantis viridis), and Conehead Mantis (Empusa pennata), are often encountered in the country. However, Spain is also home to several rarer species of mantis. These include unique species such as the Geomantis larvoides, Rivetina baetica, Pseudoyersinia canariensis, Blepharopsis mendica, Pseudoyersinia paui and Perlamantis alliberti, which are less commonly observed but are nonetheless intriguing and worthy of study. In this article, we will delve into these rarer mantis species found in Spain and explore their characteristics, distributions, and habitats. So, Rare Mantises in Spain: A Closer Look at Lesser-Known Species.

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