Behaviour Special Interest Group (SIG) 2026

Emerging themes: Novel techniques in insect behaviour studies

Date: Tuesday 10 February 2026 (9.30am – 5pm)

Venue: The Studio, Birmingham and online

Join the RES Behaviour SIG on Tuesday 10 February 2026 in Birmingham for a day of talks on insect behaviour research.

The aim of this meeting is for researchers and companies to share their experience of novel techniques and technology to advance the study of insect behaviour. Topics may include, but are not exclusive to, biotremology, monitoring and detection, air pressure influences, electroreception and gravitational waves. A full programme will be available in due course.

The Behaviour SIG is a forum for the exchange of information, ideas and techniques relating to insect behaviour.

Call for Abstracts

We are offering opportunities for both 15 minute talks and poster presentations, in person and online, allowing as much of the community to participate as possible. Please complete the following form before the deadline.

Deadline for abstract submissions: Tuesday 16th December 2025

Keynote Speakers

Prof. Daniel Robert, University of Bristol

Diego Magalhaes, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil

Biographies to follow…

Convenors

Jozsef Vuts, Rothamsted Research – jozsef.vuts@rothamsted.ac.uk

Jozsef is a chemical ecologist, working in the field of pest-host interactions. He currently leads research on ecology-inspired solutions for crop and agroforestry pest management, including the identification of microbe-derived attractants for the recruitment of pest natural enemies, developing methods to isolate natural products with semiochemicals properties from the rhizosphere, or the development of female attractants for a range of crop pests.

Jozsef applies a lab-to-field approach to his research, using laboratory techniques [dynamic headspace collection, high-resolution gas chromatography (GC), GC-coupled electroantennography (GC-EAG), preparative-scale GC, olfactometry] to characterize semiochemical bioactivity, and field experiments to confirm bioactivity at the field scale. Through his collaborative network both within and outside Rothamsted Research, he works with industrial partners and stakeholders to maximise the impact of his research.

Michelle Fountain, NIAB EMR – Michelle.Fountain@niab.com

Michelle specialises in the minimisation of pesticide use in fruit horticulture, improving pollination in fruit crops and incorporating modern fruit growing practices with Integrated Pest Management. The former includes research on improving pest monitoring by developing semiochemical manipulation of insects, optimising the use of biological control agents and enhancing and fostering local landscape ecology to provide the ecosystem service of pest control.

Her pollination research focuses on the delivery of insect pollinators to fruit crops through identification of key species and enhancement of habitat in and around crops, including wildflower and nesting resource establishment. She leads research on invasive pest species, such as, Drosophila suzukii, Halyomorpha halys and Anthonomus sp. and is a taxonomic specialist of Collembola, Araneae and fruit crop fauna. She communicates research to growers and agronomists and authors best practice guidelines and factsheets for pest control in fruit crops. She is also Convenor of the IOBC Expert Group: “Integrated Protection of Fruit Crops”

Exhibition and Sponsorship

We would love to hear from you if you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the event. The brochure below highlights some of the options available, including being present in the hub of the conference through exhibition and a Headline Sponsor. If you would like to partner with us or discuss other bespoke opportunities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Registration

Registration is now open at the bottom of this page. Please note there are discounted rates for members of the RES, so if you are not a member already, consider joining today!

To access discounted member rates, you must be logged into your account before registering.

Note – We do not provide recordings of events or presentations as standard, unless otherwise stated.