Weevils (Curculionoidea) are the second largest beetle group in the UK after the Rove Beetles with c.630 species. Many are brightly coloured or unusually shaped but the group is often perceived to be ‘difficult’ to identify. However, new guide literature and online guides in recent years are helping to make recording weevils much easier.

The day will begin with a talk going through the major identification works and guide, key features of each weevil family and separating difficult genera. However, the majority of this one-day workshop will provide you with the opportunity to practise trying identify dried specimens using dichotomous keys and microscopes. It is an entirely lab-based day and you will be working with specimens provided from World Museum collections, though anyone that wants to bring dead specimens that they have collected and preserved themselves is welcome to.

Our tutor, Peter Hodge, has been identifying and recording beetles for over 45 years and is the county beetle recorder for Sussex. Peter was one of the authors of “New British Beetles” (published in 1995) and is currently on the editorial panel of ‘The Coleopterist’. Peter also helped run the Longhorn Beetle (Cerambycidae) Recording Scheme for many years, until 2015-16. In 2017, Peter won the National Biodiversity Network Trust’s Gilbert White Adult Award for recording terrestrial and freshwater wildlife.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided but participants should bring a packed lunch or use World Museum café.

Adults only (18+)

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