Insects – The little things that run your garden. Ashleigh Whiffin

Gardens can support an incredible diversity of insects, but beyond butterflies and bees, how aware are you of these 6-legged neighbours? Do you know what bizarre behaviours and essential services are occurring in the undergrowth?

Join Ashleigh as she shares her passion for some of the unconventionally charismatic insects, and why they are so essential for a happy garden. She’ll also provide a peak behind the scenes of the Entomology collection at National Museums Scotland and explain what’s involved in caring for 2.5 million insect specimens and how the collection is used to promote and even protect present insect populations.

Ashleigh has worked at for National Museums Scotland since 2014 where she is currently an Assistant Curator of Entomology. She also has a number of voluntary roles including:

• Founder and co-organiser of the National Silphidae recording scheme (carrion beetles): https://www.coleoptera.org.uk/silphidae/home. Records are collated in order to add to knowledge of this group of insects, including distribution, population trends, autecology and phenology. Working to encourage recording and raise the profile of the species group and its conservation in the UK.
• Involved with the local entomology community – is the current Chair of the Edinburgh Entomological Club
• Passionate about engaging a diverse audience with insects, regularly conducting outreach. Ashleigh sits on the Royal Entomological Society’s Outreach & Development committee.

This is an online talk.  Please register for the talk on our Eventbrite page so that we can send you a joining link. Please note: registration will close at 5pm on the day of the talk (or earlier if all the tickets are allocated).  This is to ensure that everyone is sent the joining link in a timely fashion.