Invertebrates

"Creepy-crawlies" may not be of interest to everyone but for the specialist there are plenty to discover.  There are no dangerous invertebrates in the Falkland Islands and most are not immediately obvious but, for the curious, a simple search will reveal a range of different species.

The study of invertebrates on the Falkland Islands is still at an early stage.  It is thought that some species are unique, with many yet to be identified.

The most recent comprehensive survey work carried out has been about insects, the most important group of arthropods on the Islands.  Over 250 species have been recorded including flies, wasps, lacewings, caddis-flies, butterflies, moths, beetles, true bugs and camel crickets.  Native species are closely related to insects found in the Patagonia region and the Tierra del Fuego.  Other insects have arrived in the Islands with European travellers.

"Insects of the Falkland Islands", Alexander G Jones is a very readable book for anyone with just a passing interest in insects as well as for those who take a more specialist approach.

Spiders have also been the subject of recent study.  They are, after the insects, the most numerous animal group in the Falklands.  At present 46 species have been found; 16 of these thought to be endemic to the islands. Of particular note are two small species of spider that the Falklands shares with South Georgia; these two are found nowhere else in the world. Eight species are known to be introductions, mainly from Europe.

The islands most familiar spider is the Green Spider, spinning its orb webs on bushes and tall vegetation.  It is also found in Chile, Argentina and the Juan Fernandez Islands.  It is the islands' largest native spider, growing up to 15 mm body-length, outstripped only by the increasing common, introduced European House Spider, Tegenearia gigantea, which can reach 18mm.