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Introduction to ‘Proctos’: Parasitoid wasps of the superfamilies Diaprioidea, Platygastroidea, Proctotrupoidea and Ceraphronoidea 

Small parasitoid wasps are among the most diverse and numerous insects in terrestrial ecosystems where they exploit other insects and spiders as food for their young. 

This one-day workshop will be a practical based introduction to parasitoid wasps of the superfamilies Diaprioidea, Platygastroidea, Proctotrupoidea and Ceraphronoidea. Participants will develop an understanding of collection, preservation, and study techniques, learn to identify families and subfamilies, and become familiar with key resources for further learning.

Material from the museum’s collection will be available for study and participants are encouraged to bring their own specimens. 

Our tutor David Notton is an expert in diapriid wasps and was formerly Senior Curator of Hymenoptera at the Natural History Museum London. 

Workshop level – Intermediate