Select an identification key
Keys for beginners
Butterflies of gardens and parks (v. 1.1)
A key to 26 widespread butterflies that are likely to be seen in parks and gardens (excludes rare species and those usually confined to 'wild' habitats).
A simplified key to common British earthworms. This key supports the OPAL Soil survey and is based on data provided by David Jones, Natural History Museum.
Freshwater minibeasts (v. 0.5)
A basic key to major groups of invertebrates found in freshwater, based on material from the Open University course TXR174
A key to British ladybirds
Lichens found on trees (v. 0.6)
A key to common genera of lichens found on trees. This key supports the OPAL Air survey and was prepared with the help of the British Lichen Society .
A basic key to major groups of invertebrates found in gardens and similar habitats
Trees (species in DEFRA hedge survey) (v. 1.2)
A guide to the trees in the DEFRA Hedge Survey.
Trees (species in OPAL surveys) (v. 1.3)
A guide to the trees in the OPAL surveys.
Keys for users with some experience
Common Woodland Mosses (v. 0.3)
Guide to common woodland mosses
Dragonflies and Damselflies (v. 1.4)
A key to most of the species of dragonflies and damselflies found in the month of May in the British Isles. Images from iSpot users.
Families of water beetles (v. 0.2)
A key to families of water beetles
A key to all woodlice species in Britain and Ireland
Keys for experts
Common British earthworms -- DRAFT (v. 1.9.4)
A key to the 12 common species of British earthworms included in the Opal earthworms survey.
Crustose lichens on trees (v. 1.0)
A key to some crustose lichens on trees in England. This key supports the OPAL Air survey and was prepared with the help of the British Lichen Society
Foliose lichens on trees (v. 1.0)
A key to some foliose lichens on trees in England. This key supports the OPAL Air survey and was prepared with the help of the British Lichen Society
Fruticose lichens on trees (v. 1.0)
A key to some fruticose lichens on trees in England. This key supports the OPAL Air survey and was prepared with the help of the British Lichen Society
Hieracium section Alpestria, Northern Hawkweeds (v. 2.5)
A key to British Hieracium section Alpestria, Northern Hawkweeds. These are generally rare species of highly localised occurrence; treat all taxa as of equal value as the NBN data need to be revised.
Lichens on orchard trees (including less common species) (v. 0.8)
A key to some lichens on orchard trees found in the Midlands and eastern England, created for OPAL.
A key to some lichens on trees in England. This key supports the OPAL Air survey and was prepared with the help of the British Lichen Society .
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) - females (v. 0.1)
A key to the species of female Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) ticks.
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) - males (v. 0.2)
A key to the species of male Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) ticks.