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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for North West Invertebrates
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260424T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260717T160000
DTSTAMP:20260422T010148
CREATED:20251222T102846Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251222T102846Z
UID:24464-1777026600-1784304000@www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk
SUMMARY:Bee Identification Training: From Field to Microscope
DESCRIPTION:Book here \nInterested in bees but unsure where to start in identifying them? Confused by terminology in identification keys? This workshop series aims to help you develop skills in finding bees\, examining them in the field or under a microscope\, and getting to grips with using identification guides. You will learn at a comfortable pace across four days in spring and summer: three practical workshops plus an optional lab day for extra support. No prior experience required\, but also suitable for those with some experience wishing to progress their bee identification skills. \nYou’ll gain confidence and practical skills under the guidance of Chloe Aldridge. Chloe brings over seven years of experience recording bees across Cheshire\, working with the Cheshire Bee Group and in her former role as Monitoring Officer for Cheshire’s Local Record Centre. She’s also a committee member at BWARS – the Bees\, Wasps & Ants Recording Society. \nWhat you’ll learn: \n\nBee identification guide terminology\nHow to identify bees to genera – e.g. Bumblebee (Bombus)\, Leafcutter Bee (Megachile)\, Mining Bee (Andrena) and some to species.\nHow to catch bees with nets and pots\, and use a hand lens\nHow to photograph bees for identification – and limitations\nHow to find and identify bees in the field\nHow to use identification keys and microscopes for those which cannot be identified in the field\nSpecimen handling skills\, including preparing and labelling voucher specimens\nHow to record your finds and where to get further help\nUsing keys to help you start identifying bees to species\n\n  \nDay 1 – 24th April (10:30 – 16:00) Introduction to Bees. World Museum Liverpool  \n\nIntroduction to bees: ecology and diversity\nIdentifying genera\nTerminology and describing bees\nOutdoor session: recognising bees in the field\n\n  \nDay 2 – 22nd May (10:00 – 15:30) *Note the earlier start time* Bees in the Field. Ness Gardens\, Wirral  \n\nUsing nets\, pots\, and hand lenses\nPhotographing bees for identification\nWhere to find bees and field skills\nTerminology and describing bees (continued)\nHandling specimens and further exploring genera\n\n  \nDay 3 – 19th June (10:30 – 16:00) Bees under the microscope\, World Museum\, Liverpool \n\nIdentification using microscopes\nAn intro to species-level identification\nWorking with specimens collected at Ness Gardens\n\n  \nDay 4 – 17th July (10:30 – 16:00) Bee Identification Help. World Museum\, Liverpool (optional) \n\nExtra practice with microscopes and keys\nHands-on help with identification and recording
URL:https://www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk/event/beeseries/
LOCATION:World Museum\, William Brown Street\, Liverpool\, England\, L3 8EN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Workshops
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Bee-workshop-Gold-fringed-Mason-Bee-Osmia-aurulenta-scaled.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260613T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260614T160000
DTSTAMP:20260422T010148
CREATED:20251117T142042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251120T125109Z
UID:24262-1781346600-1781452800@www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk
SUMMARY:Jumping Plant Lice (Psyllids) Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Book here \nDay 1 (13th June) will be at World Museum\, Liverpool. Day 2 (14th June) will be at Rixton Clay Pits\, Warrington. \nPsyllids (Jumping Plant Lice) are a small\, understudied group of Hemiptera often overlooked until they attack your favourite plants. This course introduces their ecology and identification. While some adults have distinctive wing patterns\, many species require microscopic examination – sometimes of both sexes. Nymphs can also be identified under a microscope\, though this is challenging. Psyllids are highly host-specific plant feeders\, so finding them usually involves targeted searches. This 2-day workshop includes fieldwork to locate and identify species at Rixton Clay Pits\, Warrington (on day 2). \nOur tutor: Dr. Joe Botting\, is a palaeontologist and entomologist\, he co-authors the British Bugs website and has a special interest in psyllids and hoppers. He runs the Psyllid recording scheme and plans to revive it after a hiatus. He lives in the relatively psyllid-poor area of mid Wales (most species are tied to warmer climates)\, because that’s where the best fossils are\, but likes to make up for it when the sun comes out. \nWorkshop level – Beginner/Intermediate
URL:https://www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk/event/psyllids/
LOCATION:England
CATEGORIES:Workshops
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260708T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260708T160000
DTSTAMP:20260422T010148
CREATED:20260115T094450Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T105117Z
UID:24607-1783504800-1783526400@www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk
SUMMARY:An Introduction to Invertebrate Identification Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Book here (via RECORD LERC) \n\n\n\n\n\nHave you ever wanted to identify an invertebrate but weren’t sure where to start?  \nIn this introductory workshop at the beautiful Ness Gardens\, we’ll be looking at the differences between some of the commonly encountered invertebrate ‘orders’ (groups). Experts from RECORD and Tanyptera will be guiding us through the features of each group and how to identify invertebrates to order level. \nWhat to expect: \n\nWe’ll spend some time in the classroom learning about invertebrate orders and features\nThere will be plenty of opportunity to get ‘hands on’ with identification and practice your skills\nWeather permitting\, we’ll be exploring the gardens with a chance to try out some ‘in the field’ identification\n\nBy the end of the session we hope that you’ll: \n\nHave a good understanding of the features seen in the more commonly encountered invertebrate orders\nBe able to identify at least some common invertebrates to order level\nKnow how to use this knowledge to help with more detailed identification (e.g. to species level)\nGain some knowledge on how to make your invertebrate observations count for conservation through sharing your records\n\nAccessibility: You can find more information on accessibility at Ness Gardens here. If you have any mobility needs or other additional needs please do not hesitate to get in touch with us ahead of the event to discuss (email info@record-lrc.co.uk). \nThe event is free to attend and is aimed at adults. Details on the exact meeting point will be emailed to you by RECORD LERC when you book – please check your spam box if you’ve not heard from us. \nThe session is hosted by RECORD and The Tanyptera Project. Please email any questions to info@record-lrc.co.uk. \nWorkshop Level: Beginner
URL:https://www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk/event/introtoinvertebrate/
LOCATION:Ness Botanic Gardens\, Ness\, CH64 4AY
CATEGORIES:Workshops
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ORGANIZER;CN="RECORD":MAILTO:info@record-lrc.co.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261002T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261002T160000
DTSTAMP:20260422T010148
CREATED:20251218T112530Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251218T112530Z
UID:24461-1790937000-1790956800@www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk
SUMMARY:Chalcid wasps (Chalcidoidea) Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Book here. \nThis one-day workshop with Steve Compton will cover the identification of chalcid wasps\, one of the most species-rich groups of insects in the UK. An introductory lecture will outline the ecology and anatomy of these often very small but beautifully-metallic wasps. \nThe higher classification of chalcids has changed in recent years\, with a considerable expansion in the number of recognised families within the world fauna. By the end of the day\, participants should be able to distinguish between the families present in Britain. \nOur tutor: Steve Compton is the retired Reader in Entomology at the University of Leeds and a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society. He has an interest in parasitic hymenopterans in general\, but his research has centred on one particular group of chalcids – the fig wasps responsible for pollination of fig trees. His research has taken him to a many different countries and habits – from the rainforests of Borneo to investigate how high chalcids fly\, to the Namib Desert where he showed that some wasps can travel hundreds of kilometres between their hosts. \nWorkshop level – Intermediate 
URL:https://www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk/event/chalcid-wasps-chalcidoidea-workshop/
LOCATION:World Museum\, William Brown Street\, Liverpool\, England\, L3 8EN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Workshops
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Mesopolobus-sp.-_RSPB-Saltholme-P1023693a.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261023T160000
DTSTAMP:20260422T010148
CREATED:20260114T110125Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T110125Z
UID:24582-1792665000-1792771200@www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk
SUMMARY:Picture-winged Flies Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Book here. \nThis two-day workshop with David Clements will cover the identification and biology of flies in the families Tephritidae\, Ulidiidae\, Platystomatidae\, Pallopteridae and Opomyzidae – the main families of the so-called ‘picture-winged flies’.  The programme will start with a general introduction to the acalyptrate Diptera families and the distinguishing of the target families\, followed by a detailed summary of the species\, ecology and biology\, main identification resources and techniques for collection\, preservation\, identification and recording etc.  The latter will include a demonstration of genitalia preparation – a key identification technique which many beginners find a bit intimidating.  A revised and updated set of unpublished keys will be provided\, together with access to specimens from the museum’s collection.  Participants can also bring along their own material for identification. \nDavid Clements is a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society and runs the national Picture-winged Flies Recording Scheme\, as well as the Conopid Recording Scheme and many other involvements.  Until recently he ran an ecological consultancy business and was previously an entomologist working at the National Trust Biological Survey and at the National Museum of Wales.  He is now retired and is currently involved in researching the entomology of the UK Overseas Territories\, with interests in a wide range of invertebrates. \nWorkshop level – Beginner/Intermediate  \nPhoto: Tephritis formosa (female) by Alvesgaspar\, CC BY‑SA 3.0\, via Wikimedia Commons
URL:https://www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk/event/picturewingedflies/
LOCATION:World Museum\, William Brown Street\, Liverpool\, England\, L3 8EN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Workshops
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tephritis-formosa-female-by-Alvesgaspar-CC-BY‑SA-3.0-via-Wikimedia-Commons.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261106T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261106T160000
DTSTAMP:20260422T010148
CREATED:20260218T131132Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260223T165119Z
UID:24880-1793961000-1793980800@www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk
SUMMARY:Introduction to ‘Proctos’ Parasitoid Wasps Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Book here \nIntroduction to ‘Proctos’: Parasitoid wasps of the superfamilies Diaprioidea\, Platygastroidea\, Proctotrupoidea and Ceraphronoidea  \nSmall 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.  \nThis 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. \nMaterial from the museum’s collection will be available for study and participants are encouraged to bring their own specimens.  \nOur tutor David Notton is an expert in diapriid wasps and was formerly Senior Curator of Hymenoptera at the Natural History Museum London.  \nWorkshop level – Intermediate 
URL:https://www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk/event/proctos/
LOCATION:World Museum\, William Brown Street\, Liverpool\, England\, L3 8EN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Workshops
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.northwestinvertebrates.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Trichopria-scaled.png
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