List of forthcoming training courses and presentations.
Lots more excellent training courses are available from the Field Studies Council, and for more formal training in biological recording see Manchester Metropolitan University.
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Soldierflies and allies study day
Soldierflies and allies (including robberflies, bee-flies, horseflies and others) include some of our largest and most colourful insects. Some are easy to find whereas others require dedicated searching, but these flies are within reach of anyone with an interest in insects. Along with the hoverflies they provide an ideal starting point for the study of Diptera (the True Flies), with good identification keys available in well-illustrated books.
This day course includes a morning at the Lye Valley SSSI near Headington, which contains some very special wetland habitats, where we will learn about soldierflies and hopefully find flies to look at more closely. We’ll head back to the museum for lunch, and then continue the afternoon session using microscopes to examine what we’ve caught and to make use of the museum’s extensive collections to practice identification skills and get familiar with this diverse group of flies.
The course is suitable for beginners with an interest in insects, as well as more experienced entomologists who wish to develop their knowledge of this group.
The course will be led by Martin Harvey, who runs the national recording scheme for soldierflies and allies, and Judy Webb, who leads conservation work at Lye Valley and has a special interest in soldierfly ecology.
