Invertebrate fact sheets
Explore our invertebrate fact sheets, highlighting insects, spiders, crustaceans and other small creatures found across Sydney and NSW. Designed for primary and secondary learners and their teachers, these colourful and accessible resources explain anatomy, life cycles, habitats and why invertebrates are vital to ecosystems.
Invertebrate species
Bush cockroach fact sheet
A small leaf-litter or bark-dwelling cockroach that helps break down dead plants in the bush.
Centipede fact sheet
Many-legged invertebrates that move quickly and hunt smaller creatures in soil and logs.
Earthworm fact sheet
A brown worm that lives in soil and helps keep it healthy by digging tunnels and recycling organic matter.
Earwig fact sheet
A small insect with pincer-like tails that often hides under logs and leaves in gardens and forests.
Golden tailed spiny ant fact sheet
A spiny-bodied ant with a golden tail section.
Golden orb weaving spider fact sheet
A large spider that spins strong golden-coloured webs between trees to catch flying insects.
Huntsman spider fact sheet
A fast, flat-bodied spider often seen on walls and tree trunks in Sydney, which hunts at night.
Leaf curling spider fact sheet
A spider that cleverly uses leaves to build a curled-leaf home where it hides and ambushes prey.
Millipede fact sheet
Invertebrates with many legs that live under logs and help break down dead plant matter.
Mole cricket fact sheet
A burrowing insect with digging shovels on its front legs, found in soil and lawn areas.
Phasmid fact sheet
Stick-insect species that look like twigs or leaves so they can hide from predators in bushland.
Pill bug fact sheet
A small crustacean that rolls into a ball when disturbed and lives in damp leaf litter and log habitats.
Red fingered marsh crab fact sheet
A crab with red-coloured fingers found in marsh or wet habitats that moves sideways and hides under rocks.
Red triangle slug fact sheet
A large land slug with a red triangle marking, found in moist leaf-litter in bushland.
St Andrews Cross spider fact sheet
A spider that builds a white cross-shaped pattern in its web and sits in the centre waiting for prey.
Trapdoor spider fact sheet
Spiders that construct a hidden trapdoor in the ground and ambush insects that pass by.
Invertebrate groups
Annelid fact sheet
Segmented worms like earthworms that live in soil or water and play key roles in nature’s recycling.
Arachnid fact sheet
The group of eight-legged invertebrates such as spiders and mites that play predator roles in the ecosystem.
Crustacean fact sheet
Invertebrates with hard shells like crabs and pill bugs that often live in damp habitats and help decompose dead plants.
Insect fact sheet
The very large group of invertebrates with six legs and often wings, like ants, bees, beetles and butterflies.
Myriapod fact sheet
Many-legged invertebrates like centipedes and millipedes that live under logs and soil and feed on decaying matter.
Gastropod fact sheet
Slugs and snails that move slowly, live in moist places, and help break down dead leaves or feed on plants.
Learn with us
Learning programs
Explore our primary and secondary incursions and excursions that examine the habitats and life cycles of invertebrates.
Learning resources
Find on line lessons and classroom ideas that can be used to learn about invertebrates in their ecosystems.
Flora and fauna fact sheets
Learn more about other Australian animals and plants.