This April, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) is partnering with British animation studio, Aardman, and the Royal Entomological Society, to bring families an epic minibeast wetlands adventure unlike any they’ve seen before.
The Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt (5 April – 1 June) offers families an opportunity to dive into the wonderful world of insects alongside well-known comedy character, housefly Lloyd, who features in Aardman’s children’s comedy series, Lloyd of the Flies.
Lloyd will be joined by new friend and enthusiastic wetlands ‘tour guide’ Dart, a colourful emperor dragonfly character created exclusively for WWT visitors.
Dart, who loves to share facts, will help families explore the wetlands alongside Lloyd, as the pair search for Lloyd’s family and friends, including Lloyd’s little sister PB and his best friend Abacus the woodlouse, before checking in to stay at a newly opened Bug Hotel.
There are over 24,000 insect species in UK and many dragonfly species have been recorded at WWT – so Dart is in great company.
The Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt will help visitors discover the nature-bursting superpowers of the amazing habitat at WWT, while learning about the creatures that live there with fun facts from the Royal Entomological Society and WWT.
From hands-on family-friendly activities such pond-dipping and minibeast hunting, to weaving a web and other insect focused activities, there’s lots to do and plenty to see at WWT.
Families can also ‘shrink down’ to fly size and see the world through an insect’s eyes, by downloading Aardman’s augmented reality app: Lloyd of the Flies AR Bug Hunt. Available to download free from both the Google Play and App Store, the app includes fun interactive activities like trying on insect antennae, rolling a maggot ball, and superimposing Lloyd’s face on each other.
“I created Lloyd of the Flies for adults and children alike to enjoy, so I’m thrilled that Aardman is partnering with WWT to create a wetland hunt for all the family to enjoy.
“Fans will know that Lloyd lives with his parents, little sister PB, and their 224 maggot siblings, inside a compost bin, so being in wetlands is a big adventure for Lloyd and his family and friends. They’ll need all the help they can get to reach the Bug Hotel, which I’m sure the children of the area will delight in giving.”
– Matthew Walker, creator and director of Lloyd of the Flies
“This is an exciting partnership with Aardman, and we hope many will come along to explore the worlds within our wetlands with Lloyd and his new friend Dart – an experience truly not to be missed.
At WWT Castle Espie, we’re simply bursting with insects that call wetlands home, from everyday creatures, like woodlice, ants and bees, to species that can only be found here. These include Common Blue Damselfly – a delicate and strikingly blue damselfly often seen hovering over ponds and slow-moving water, and Lesser Water Boatman –herbivorous insects who swim using their oar-like legs to navigate the water. There’s so much to see, do and learn between 5 April and 1 June at WWT and we’re sure it will be a very special adventure that families will love.”
– Paul Stewart, Centre Manager at WWT Castle Espie
“We are delighted to build on our partnership with Aardman, with this wetland adventure and WWT at their sites.
We are passionate about inspiring the next generation of insect scientists, and Lloyd and his new friend Dart are ideally placed to help us encourage children and their families to see the world through the eyes of an insect and appreciate their vital role in the health of humans and the planet.”
– Simon Ward, CEO at the Royal Entomological Society
If families want to make even more of their time on the hunt, they can purchase an exclusive WWT Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Activity Pack (£4) at the visitor centre. It includes a 16 page activity booklet, Lloyd headband, stickers and pencils, all in a WWT Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt bag.
Webpages with activities visitors can try when they go home will also be available at www.wwt.org.uk so that they can learn how to protect insects in their gardens, ponds and parks.
Participating in the Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt activities at WWT is included in the price of a WWT admission ticket or is free to WWT members.
WWT
WWT is the charity for wetlands and wildlife in the UK. WWT Wetland Centres are full of life and rich with sights and sounds. Through accessible, sensory and seasonal experiences in the fresh wetlands air, we show visitors how they can play their part for wetlands and help to restore them, whilst highlighting how much wetlands can enrich our lives and our natural world.
For more information, visit www.wwt.org.uk.
Aardman has partnered with the WWT for spring 2025, with Lloyd arriving at seven of their UK locations between 5th April and 1st June. The trail includes with a new character created exclusively for the WWT, Dart the emperor dragonfly, as their wetland tour guide.
