Today's story is one for all the budding gnat-uralists out there, as only six years ago a new species of fly was discovered right here in Kingston's Bushy Park!

Amateur dipterist Peter Chandler was studying fungus gnats he'd found in the park's Waterhouse Woodland Gardens, when he observed that the gnats' genitals were different to those of the species common in Britain, Grzegorzekia collaris.

Chandler, who won an award for amateur naturalists back in 2005, decided to name the new species of fly Grzegorzekia bushyae after the site of its discovery.

Writing in the Entomologist Gazette he said: "With Bushy Park remaining the only known site in Britain, it is difficult to determine the present status of Grzegorzekia bushyae.

"In view of the finds being in close proximity to the woodland garden, in which there has been considerable exotic planting, it might be concluded that it is a recent introduction with plant material.

"The recent discovery of this distinctive species suggests that it is quite scarce."

Chandler later found more Grzegorzekia bushyae in a forest in south-east France, leading him to hypothesise that this particular insect is only found in woodland areas.

Claudia Watts, who works in The Royal Parks' ecology team, said at the time: "This is really exciting news for the Royal Parks, and particularly because the new species has been named after the park where it was discovered.

"Most people think that new species to science are only discovered nowadays in little-visited far-flung places like tropical rainforests or the depths of the ocean, but this shows that even public parks in London can harbour undiscovered gems.

"These little flies may look unremarkable, but they are a vital source of food for birds, fish, bats and larger insects, and in some cases can help pollinate plants."