Invertebrates

The smaller and less fluffy creatures of the National Park - the invertebrates - are often overlooked. Some species rely on specific trees and plants that live in the Cairngorms for their existence, such as the dark bordered beauty moth and the aspen hoverfly that need aspen trees to survive, others just need an abundance of deadwood to thrive.

The Cairngorms National Park is one of the main strongholds for some of UK's rarest insects, including the Kentish Glory and Dark-bordered Beauty moths, Northern Damselfly, Small Scabious Mining Bee and Shining Guest Ant. Invertebrates are a key focus species for conservation work.