Book here – tickets are £7.50

Identifying the Lacewings and allies of the British Isles

The aim of the one-day workshop is to help participants with the identification of Lacewings (Neuroptera), Snakeflies (Raphidioptera), Alderflies (Megaloptera), and Scorpionflies and Snow fleas (Mecoptera) of the British Isles.

The British Isles has 79 species of Neuropterida (Lacewings: 72, Snakeflies: 4, Alderflies: 3) and four species of Mecoptera (Scorpionflies: 3, Snow fleas: 1). These insects are often encountered in the field, with some frequently found in light traps. Many of these insects, especially the Lacewings, are often ignored, as they are considered too difficult to identify, as they often require a microscope to examine the genitalia for identification. This workshop will give participants the confidence to be able to start identifying Lacewings and their allies and information on how to submit their records to the British Isles Lacewings and Allies Recording Scheme.

The workshop will cover:

• An overview of the British Isles fauna of Lacewings and their allies, including their fossil record
• How to identify the four orders (Neuroptera, Raphidioptera, Megaloptera, Mecoptera)
• Identification of families within the orders
• How to start with identifying species – looking at important key characters
• Techniques for collecting and preparing specimens
• How to submit records to the Lacewings and Allies Recording Scheme
• An overview of resources to aid in identification

Our Tutor: Dr James E. Jepson is a co-organiser of the British Isles Lacewings and Allies Recording Scheme and an iRecord verifier for UK Lacewings and allies. He has over 15 years’ experience of working on both extant and fossil Neuropterida from the UK and worldwide.

Adults only (18+)

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