Booking via World Museum events page – tickets are £7.50.

As a consequence of their often high numbers, ants are amongst the most conspicuous of insects. In the UK however, due to our northerly location, they are not very diverse. The up-side of this is that they make an ideal group for study as there are not hundreds, or even thousands, of species to get to know.

As of now, the UK list comprises of about 60 species in 4 sub-families (of the 17 or so found worldwide).

This course will start with an introduction to the biology of ants and show the position of the British fauna within the wider picture.

We will then go on to consider ant collection, identification and culture.  You will have the opportunity to use the newly developed keys which have been specially written for the soon to be published ‘Ants’ in the Naturalists’ Handbook series from Pelagic.

Our tutor: Gary Skinner is co-author of Ants, no. 24 in the Naturalists’ Handbook series.  He studied wood-ants (Formica rufa) for his PhD in the ‘70s and then pursued a long career in teaching.  Since retirement he has worked as a consultant and author.  He is a keen photographer, specialising in macro work, particularly of insects. He is currently in the final stages of co-authoring (with Andy Jarman) a new edition of ‘Ants’

There will be an Ants webinar on zoom the week before this workshop on the 6^th October 7:30pm. This will provide a background to the subject before attending the in-person workshop – book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ants-webinar-tickets-298089071437

Access: There are lifts between each of the floors and assistance dogs are permitted

Adults only (18+)