Identification workshop: solitary wasps

In this series of specialist identification workshops, you'll learn the basics of how to recognise insect species of a particular group, whether it's in our entomology lab or out in the field. This event is for adults only, read on to find out more about this particular workshop and its location.

This 2-day workshop led by Ian Cheeseborough is for anyone who would like to learn about the identification and ecology of solitary wasps.

This workshop will cover

Day 1 will be based at Ness Botanical Gardens, Wirral where time will be spent in the field capturing and identifying wasps (to genus in most cases or species where possible). There will also be presentations looking at the variety of Crabronidae and Sphecidae wasps and a further session on useful identification features to help narrow down in the field.

Day 2 will be at World Museum where we will be identifying specimens collected the previous day or looking at particular genera of interest from the museum collections using entomological keys and microscopes.

Our Tutor

Ian Cheeseborough is self-employed in the field of habitat management and entomological surveys, mainly in Shropshire. He has been studying Aculeate Hymenoptera – bees, wasps and ants for over 20 years and is County Recorder for this group of insects. He also runs a number of courses on Aculeates at Preston Montford FSC.

The Tanyptera Project

These events are part of The Tanyptera Project, a 7.5 year initiative (2017-2024) funded by the Tanyptera Trust to promote the study and conservation of insects and other invertebrates in the Lancashire and Cheshire region of NW England. You can learn more about it on the North West Invertebrates website here.