Fauna
Dive into Cyprus’s rich biodiversity as we explore the fascinating fauna surrounding our olive farm, where nature’s harmony unfolds in every leaf and fluttering wing.
Middle East Tree Frog (Hyla savignyi): a tiny amphibian of Mediterranean landscapes
A small frog with a big ecological role During a recent biodiversity observation at Mavronero Farm, we spotted one of Cyprus’ most charming amphibians—the Middle East tree frog (Hyla savignyi). Bright green, no larger than a few centimetres, and perfectly...
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Yellow scorpions of Cyprus: silent hunters of the Mediterranean night
Nightlife at Mavronero As the sun sets over Mavronero Farm, a different community of wildlife begins to emerge. While birds settle into the trees and daytime insects disappear, nocturnal predators quietly leave their hiding places. During a recent evening observation,...
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Lobed Argiope (Argiope lobata): the silent hunter of the tomato garden
Among the tomato plants growing on the river terrace at Mavronero, an impressive predator quietly waits for its next meal. The Lobed Argiope (Argiope lobata) is one of the most distinctive orb-weaving spiders found across the Mediterranean. Although its unusual...
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Why repeated wildlife observations matter
A second encounter with the common chameleon at Mavronero Earlier this year, we shared the story of a common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) spotted among the olive trees at Mavronero. Recently, we were delighted to encounter another individual, quietly moving through...
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Cicada emergence observed at Mavronero
A brief glimpse into an extraordinary life cycle During recent observations at Mavronero, an adult cicada was recorded among the bean plants shortly after emerging from its juvenile stage. The insect was seen repeatedly moving its wings and attempting to...
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Wasp Spider observed at Mavronero
A remarkable web builder in the Mediterranean landscape During recent observations at Mavronero, a wasp spider (Argiope bruennichi) was recorded among the farm’s natural vegetation. This striking species is easily recognised by its distinctive yellow and black striped abdomen and...
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Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
Species of the Month – June 2026 Acoustic monitoring at Mavronero provides continuous insight into local bird activity. Each month, we analyse detection data to better understand species presence, behavioural intensity and ecological patterns. During the period 15/06/2026 – 22/06/2026,...
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Wolf Spider (Lycosa praegrandis)
The observation of a wolf spider (Lycosa praegrandis) during aubergine planting at Mavronero highlights the presence of important predatory species within Mediterranean agricultural ecosystems. Wolf spiders belong to the family Lycosidae, a group of ground-dwelling hunters found throughout Europe, North...
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Old World Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio machaon)
The Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) is one of the most recognizable butterfly species found across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Although the adult butterfly is widely admired for its distinctive yellow-and-black wings, its caterpillar stage plays an...
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European Black Widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus)
The European black widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) is one of the most recognizable spider species found throughout Mediterranean ecosystems. Although often associated with its medically significant venom, this species forms a natural part of the invertebrate communities that develop within agricultural...
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