Steven Falk, author of the 2015 best-selling book on the identification of bees, is running a 2 day course specifically aimed at learning about the complex art of beeidentification. This will include an introduction to the key differences between various bee genera, and work on prepared specimens using a microscope using Steve's widely available and much-praised keys.
For full details contact samantha@northpenninesaonb.org.uk
Booking will be essential
Steven Falk, author of the 2015 best-selling book on the identification of bees, returns to Wales for a second 2 day course specifically aimed at learning about the complex art of beeidentification. This will include an introduction to the key differences between various bee genera, and work on prepared specimens using a microscope using Steve's widely available and much-praised keys.
Venue: Bug Farm, Pembrokeshire
Price: TBC (circa £65-70 for 2 days)
booking essential via http://www.drbeynonsbugfarm.com/
Join Steven Falk, author of the 2015 best-selling book on the identification of bees for an introductory course specifically aimed at learning about the complex art of identification. This will include an introduction to the key differences between various bee genera, and work on prepared specimens using a microscope using Steve's widely available and much-praised keys.
These are free events, with the same programme being run on each of the two days as each day is independent
Booking is essential and should be done via via Museum
Submitted by Matt Smith on Fri, 29/07/2016 - 12:13
This is an informative and useful practical guide for conserving insect pollinators. It brings together practical skills with an in depth understanding of pollinator ecology providing farmers and other land managers with the best available advice on creating and managing habitats for bees on farmland. The book is the distillation of a 20 year research partnership between Marek Nowakowski - a practitioner with a passion for wildlife conservation on farmland - and applied ecologists working for the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology… Read more
Tetramorium atratulum formerly known as Anergates atratulus is an obligate workerless parasite (inquiline) in the colonies of another ant, Tetramorium caespitum. As with many socially parasitic ants, atratulum appear to be related to its host genus and the female morphology is superficially similar. Gynes are about about 2.5mm long, blackish-brown with yellow legs.
Discovered in Britain, in SE London, for the first time in 2016.
A Nearctic species that has become established in Europe. This is a large wasp, up to 20mm length.
Join Adrian Knowles, bee & wasp expert on this fascinating day. Adrian is the Suffolk county recorder for bees, wasps & ants. You will learn about the ecology & lifecycle of solitary bees & wasps, nest sites, artificial nest boxes and pollinator-friendly plants. There are some 200 species of wild bees in the UK, called solitary bees because they make individual nest cells for their larvae. Some species nest in tunnels or holes in the ground, sandy banks and crumbling mortar while others use the hollow stems of dead plants such as bramble. They are harmless and do not… Read more
Discovered near Tetbury, Gloucestershire in September 2016. A second confirmed sighting was made from north of the Mendip Hills in Somerset in early October 2016.
Defra issued a press release on 20 September 2016 regarding the Gloucestershire record for Asian hornet Vespa velutina
Update:
In 2017 Vespa velutina was discovered at Woolacombe in Devon.
First recorded on the British mainland from SE London in 2016.
Information on nesting biology (Palaearctic Osmiine Bees) here
Defra issued a press release on 20 September 2016 regarding a Gloucestershire record for Asian hornet Vespa velutina
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/asian-hornet-identified-in-gloucestershire
BWARS' information sheet on this wasp can be found here
