Royal Entomological Society

Entographica: The Invertebrate-Inspired Art Exhibition - External Event
2026-02-02 10:00 - 2026-02-25 16:00 (Europe/London)
Entographica, an exhibition of invertebrate inspired art from the Entographic Collective.

Bath Royal Literature and Science Institute, Queens Square, Bath, UK.

A diverse range of invertebrate portraits from 15 artists, ranging from glass carbide beetles to delicate fabric flies, phantom moths to the surreal genitalia of spiders and much more.

View works of art designed to inspire a fresh rapport with the smaller champions of the natural world, an introduction to a world of intricate and complex beauty that will fire imaginations and lead to a new understanding of the vital role they play in maintaining our planet.

More information can be found here: Home – Entographica or contact Peter Smithers at peter@royensoc.co.uk

Details

The exhibition will run from 2nd to 25th February 2026.

Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm.

Free entry.

The Entographica exhibition is supported by RES Goodman Fund.

Behaviour Special Interest Group (SIG) 2026
2026-02-10 09:30 - 16:30 | https://www.royensoc.co.uk/event/behaviour-sig-2026/
Behaviour Special Interest Group (SIG) 2026

Emerging themes: Novel techniques and approaches in insect behaviour studies

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

Venue: The Studio, Birmingham and online

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

Insects have a major impact on our lives, as they pollinate, as well as devastate, crop plants, transmit diseases and may serve as a potential source of nutrition. With over one million species described and four million hypothesised to exist, insects are the most diverse group of animals, and such diversity is reflected in their behaviour.

Insects can be great study subjects, as their behaviour can be fairly easily investigated at all levels of analysis, championing our understanding of biological phenomena in general. Not surprising that the 2017 Nobel prize was given for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying circadian rhythms using Drosophila.

Technological advancements in the last few decades have increasingly allowed the elucidation of insect behaviour that is now inspiring robotic technology, sensor development, neural processing and many more fields.

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.

Programme

The full programme is now available below and consist of both online and in-person talks, with two keynote speakers. (Abstract submission is now closed).

Programme – Behaviour SIGDownload

Evening Social

We have reserved a small area at Cosy Club Birmingham Bennetts Hill | Brunch, Cocktails & All-Day Dining at the bar on the evening of Monday 9 February from 6.30pm. Please do join us if you are able to! There will be the opportunity to purchase your own food and drinks there.

View the Behaviour SIG Posters

Keynote speakers

Prof. Daniel Robert, University of Bristol, United Kingdom

Electric ecology and electroreception in arthropods

Daniel Robert is professor of bionanoscience at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol. He and his team investigate the biophysical mechanisms used by organisms to sense and acquire information from their environment. Paying due attention to selected insect species, he discovered the third principle of directional hearing in the animal kingdom, which is based on the mechanical coupling between the ears of small tachinid parasitoid flies (Ormia ochracea).

This discovery enabled the development of bio-inspired microscale subwavelength directional microphones. Looking at mosquitoes, fruit flies and tree crickets, Robert and his team discovered active auditory mechanics in invertebrates, a process emulating that reported in humans and other mammalian species. Spending some quality time in the company of Colombian bushcrickets, he and Fernando Montealegre-Z discovered that the mechanism used for auditory spectral analysis is analogous and evolutionarily convergent to that of humans.

With attention turning to pollinators and their sensory ecology, it became apparent that bees and flowers interact using static electricity, with bees showing their capacity to detect weak floral electric fields. Since then, Robert and his team showed that other arthropod species, such as spiders, caterpillars and treehoppers are sensitive to, and use electrostatic charge and associated electric fields in various sensory ecological contexts.

Collectively, Robert’s work reveals the existence of an electrostatic informational ecology, and the associated detection of electrostatic fields – aerial electroreception – which are omnipresent, enabling a sensory modality alien to humans.

Dr Diego M. Magalhães, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil

An Underrated Signal: Atmospheric Pressure as a Driver of Insect Behaviour

Diego M. Magalhães is a biologist with a focus on chemical ecology. After earning a Master’s in Ecology and a PhD in Zoology from the University of Brasília, he pursued research fellowships at EMBRAPA Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and at Rothamsted Research, delving into the volatile signals that guide plant, microbe, and insect interactions.

He is now a postdoctoral fellow at the Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, and serves as a councillor for the Latin American Association of Chemical Ecology. His work investigates how organisms communicate through airborne chemicals and how these exchanges shape ecological processes, with the aim of turning this knowledge into sustainable and innovative strategies for pest management in agroecosystems.

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 are delighted to welcome Zantiks as an exhibitor.

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.

Partner with us at our Behaviour SIG eventDownload

Read more about the Behaviour SIG

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.

In-person registration deadline: 17:00 (GMT), Wednesday 28 January 2026

In-personRES Student Member£20RES Member£55Standard Registration (Associate members and Non-members)£85

Online registration deadline: 17:00 (GMT), Friday 6 February 2026

OnlineRES Student Member£5RES Member£15Standard Registration (Associate members and Non-members)£25

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

Aquatic Insects Special Interest Group (SIG) 2026
2026-02-26 09:30 - 2026-02-27 15:30 | https://www.royensoc.co.uk/event/aquatic-insects-sig-2026/
Aquatic Ecosystems in the Data Age

Date: Thursday 26 February 2026 (9.30am – 3.30pm) and Friday 27 February 2026 (9.30am – 12.30pm)

Venue: Online

Our Aquatic Insects Special Interest Group event brings together researchers, conservation practitioners and enthusiasts to explore cutting-edge approaches in aquatic ecosystem monitoring and management.

Through hands-on workshops and expert presentations, participants will gain practical skills in modern analytical techniques while engaging with current challenges in freshwater biodiversity conservation.

The event will comprise of a full day meeting on Thursday 26 February with an optional morning workshop on Friday 27 February (included in the price).

2026 – Aquatics SIG PosterDownload

Download and share the event poster

Day 1: Thursday 26 February (9.30am – 3.30pm)

Conservation, Management, and Taxonomic Innovation

Day 1 features research presentations and interactive sessions on current conservation challenges and emerging taxonomic tools. The morning includes a keynote on freshwater biodiversity conservation followed by panels covering adaptive management, community-based monitoring, and policy integration. The afternoon centres on interactive sessions exploring pros and cons of environmental DNA applications for biomonitoring. The day concludes with discussions on building research networks and future collaboration opportunities.

Keynote speakers

Michael J. Samways, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

Title: Dragonflies as sentinels in freshwater conservation (complementarity with other taxa, especially EPT)

Michael Samways (PhD, London University) is Emeritus Distinguished Professor at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He focuses on many aspects of insect conservation from philosophy through to strategy implementation, nationally and internationally.

Michael is recipient of the John Herschel Medal of the Royal Society of South Africa, Senior Captain Scott and Gold Medals of the South African Academy of Science and Arts, and Gold Medal of the Academy of Science of South Africa. He received the life-time Stellenbosch University Chancellor’s Award, IUCN/SSC Chair’s Citation of Excellence, and the Marsh Award from the Royal Entomological Society for outstanding and exemplary lifetime contribution in Insect Conservation. His latest book is Conservation of Dragonflies: Sentinels for Freshwater Conservation (CABI/RES, 2024).

Dr Jessica Ware, American Museum of Natural History

Title: North American Aquatic Insect team: an overview of the global work at the American Museum of Natural History and associated organisations

Dr. Jessica L. Ware is the Curator and Division Chair of Invertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), a prominent evolutionary biologist and entomologist known for her work on insect evolution, particularly dragonflies, cockroaches, and termites, using genetics and morphology to understand their phylogeny, behaviour, and biogeography, while also being a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM.

Jessica Ware: Division Chair of Invertebrate Zoology | AMNH

Day 2: Friday 27 February (9.30am – 12.30pm)

Data-Driven Approaches to Aquatic Ecosystem Assessment

Hands-on Workshop in R-Machine Learning Applications in Ecology – facilitated by SIG Convenor, Arron Watson (Environment Agency & University of Birmingham)

This optional half-day workshop (included in the price) focuses on a hands-on R workshop exploring machine learning applications with aquatic macroinvertebrate and environmental data. Participants will learn to use packages like Random Forest for ecological data analysis, beginning with data exploration and visualisation of macroinvertebrate community datasets alongside environmental covariates such as water chemistry and habitat metrics.

Draft programme

A full programme will be available in due course…

DRAFT programmeDownload

SIG Convenor

Arron Watson, Environment Agency Arron.Watson@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Arron works for the Environment Agency in the statutory sector, overseen by the Defra group. They work towards cleaner rivers and a healthier environment for people and wildlife to enjoy.

Arron enjoys working with work aquatic invertebrates and data.

Aquatic Insects SIG

Registration

Please note there are significantly discounted rates for RES members, 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.

Online registration deadline: 17:00 (GMT), Wednesday 25 February 2026

OnlineRES Student Member£5RES Member/Fellow£10Standard Registration (Associate members and Non-members)£20

Invertebrates in the Urban Forest (optional field visit)
2026-03-04 10:00 - 14:00
Invertebrates in the Urban Forest (optional field visit)

We invite registered attendees of Invertebrates in the Urban Forest to join us for a field visit to historic Richmond Park on Wednesday 4th March, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. During the visit, we will see and discuss applied examples of research and conservation that illustrate key themes from the meeting, set within the context of one of London’s most ecologically significant urban treescapes.

Please note that you must have registered to attend Invertebrates in the Urban Forest on Thursday 5th March to attend this field trip. You can register for both events here: REGISTER HERE

Please wear warm and waterproof clothing, and sensible footwear. You may wish to bring lunch/snacks with you.

Verrall Lecture 2026
2026-03-04 16:30 - 17:30
Venue: Royal School of Mines Building (Lecture Theatre 1.31), Imperial College London

Please note that The Royal School of Mines building main entrance can be accessed from Prince Consort Road or from Dalby Court via the Bessemer Building: Lecture Theatres | Royal School of Mines | Imperial Venues

Date: Wednesday 4 March (4.30pm – 5.30pm)

Speaker: Stanislav Gorb, Professor and Director at the Zoological Institute of the Kiel University, Germany

Stanislav Gorb is Professor and Director at the Zoological Institute of the Kiel University, Germany. He received his PhD degree in zoology and entomology at the Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences in Kiev (Ukraine).

Gorb was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Vienna (Austria), a research assistant at University of Jena, a group leader at the Max Planck Institutes for Developmental Biology in Tübingen and for Metals Research in Stuttgart (Germany). Gorb’s research focuses on morphology, structure, biomechanics, physiology, and evolution of surface-related functional systems in insects, as well as the development of biologically inspired technological surfaces and systems.

He received the Schlossmann Award in Biology and Materials Science in 1995, International Forum Design Gold Award in 2011 and Materialica “Best of” Award in 2011. In 1998, he was the BioFuture Competition winner for his works on biological attachment devices as possible sources for biomimetics. In 2018, he received Karl-Ritter-von-Frisch Medal of German Zoological Society. Gorb is Corresponding member of Academy of the Science and Literature Mainz, Germany (since 2010) and Member of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Germany (since 2011). Gorb has authored several books, more than 500 papers in peer-reviewed journals, and five patents.

Talk title: Fly on the Ceiling: How Insect Adhesion Research can Inspire Technology

Abstract: Insects possess adhesive systems of remarkable efficiency. Their effectiveness is largely based on the structure and material properties of their attachment pads. Modern high-resolution techniques make it possible to analyse these surfaces down to the critical nanometre scale and to characterize their micromechanical properties with high precision.

These new insights are also of great interest for technological applications. They are increasingly being used in the development of bio-inspired material surfaces for applications as diverse as adhesive tapes and climbing robots.

History of the Verrall Lecture

Registration

To ensure your spot at the event, we strongly recommend signing up in advance, as spaces are limited and tend to fill quickly. Early registration guarantees your place and helps us plan more effectively for everyone attending.

The lecture will start at 16:30, there will be tea and coffee available from 16:00 outside the lecture hall. There will be an RES stand and rare books on display, so do arrive early to meet key members of the RES team.

If you are unable to attend in person, the talk will be recorded and shared after the event.

Invertebrates in the Urban Forest - Forest Invertebrate Special Interest Group (SIG) 2026
2026-03-05 09:30 - 16:30
Invertebrates in the Urban Forest

Thursday 5 March 2026 (9.30am – 4.30pm)

Location: Hyde Park learning Centre

The Forest Invertebrate Special Interest Group (SIG), in collaboration with The Royal Parks, invites you to an illuminating meeting exploring the complex ecological relationships between urban trees and their associated invertebrate communities. This event will cover a range of interdisciplinary themes, showcasing current research, emerging challenges, illustrative case studies, evidence gaps, and conservation priorities within urban treescapes.

1. From soil to canopy – the value of invertebrates in the urban forest

We invite abstracts around the topics of invertebrate biodiversity, ecosystem services, monitoring and assessment, flagship species, veteran trees, and the reciprocal value of urban forests to invertebrates.

2. Challenges to urban trees and their invertebrates

We invite abstracts around the topics of anthropogenic pressures, urban connectivity, invasive species, changing climate, and habitat fragmentation. We would also welcome case studies dealing with competing priorities in the urban treescape and successful public engagement.

Optional field visit

Wednesday 4 March 2026 (10am – 2pm)

We invite registered attendees to join us for a field visit to historic Richmond Park on Wednesday 4th March, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. During the visit, we will see and discuss applied examples of research and conservation that illustrate key themes from the meeting, set within the context of one of London’s most ecologically significant urban treescapes.

Please wear warm and waterproof clothing, and sensible footwear. You may wish to bring lunch/snacks with you.

Please note this visit will be held the day before the main meeting, also the day of the Verrall Lecture and Supper. Places are limited so early booking is recommended to secure your place.

Keynotes

Greg Packman, Treescape Curator, Royal Parks

Greg Packman is Treescape Curator for The Royal Parks, having worked for the parks for eight years, previously as Arboricultural Officer. Greg’s work has focused on species selection, risk management, landscape curation and tree-based ecology and habitats.

Originally from a conservation background, Greg focuses heavily on managing habitats in busy, urban parks; protecting different habitats in trees and trying to promote urban tree habitat across the sector.

Peter Lawrence, Richmond Park Manager (field trip)

Peter joined the Richmond Park team as Assistant Park Manager in early 2023 where he leads on conservation projects in the parkland landscape. Previous to this he provided ecological support across all the Royal Parks as Biodiversity Manager in TRP’s Biodiversity Team.

Prior to this Peter worked as an Ecological Consultant for some 15 years, specialising in the restoration and enhancement of greenspace and historic landscapes, developing management plans, and habitat and species surveying.

Call for Abstracts

The meeting will comprise a range of 15-minute presentations, 5-minute flash talks, posters, and ‘show and tell’ objects to illustrate work or studies being undertaken within the urban forest.

Please submit your abstract by 5pm, Friday 30th January or contact fran.fleming@royensoc.co.uk with any questions.

SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT

SIG Convenors

Meet the Forest Invertebrate SIG Convenors: Forest Invertebrates – Royal Entomological Society

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.

In-person registration deadline: 17:00 (GMT), Friday 13 February 2026

In-personRES Student Member – 5 March ONLY£25RES Member – 5 March ONLY£55Standard Registration (Associate members and Non-members) – 5 March ONLY£100RES Student Member – 2 Days£35RES Member – 2 Days£65Standard Registration (Associate members and Non-members) – 2 Days£110

Young Verrall Lecture 2026
2026-03-07 14:00 - 14:30
Join the Amateur Entomologists’ Society and Royal Entomological Society for the Young Verrall Lecture, taking place on Saturday 7 March in Stoke-on-Trent.

This free talk given by Prof. Stanislav Gorb of Kiel University, Germany, is aimed at young entomologists, particularly those 7-11 years, but open to all, will be in person as part of the Staffordshire Invertebrate Science Fair, a free family event from 10:30-16:00 with stands, activities, and talks all about invertebrates.

When?

Saturday 7 March 2026

Where?

Ormiston Meridian Academy, Sandon Rd, Meir, Stoke-on-Trent ST3 7DF

Find out more about the Staffordshire Invertebrate Science Fair

Prof. Stanislav Gorb will also be giving the 2026 Verrall Lecture in London, on Wednesday 4 March.

Stanislav Gorb is Professor and Director at the Zoological Institute of the Kiel University, Germany. He received his PhD degree in zoology and entomology at the Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences in Kiev (Ukraine).

Gorb was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Vienna (Austria), a research assistant at University of Jena, a group leader at the Max Planck Institutes for Developmental Biology in Tübingen and for Metals Research in Stuttgart (Germany).

Gorb’s research focuses on morphology, structure, biomechanics, physiology, and evolution of surface-related functional systems in insects, as well as the development of biologically inspired technological surfaces and systems.

He received the Schlossmann Award in Biology and Materials Science in 1995, International Forum Design Gold Award in 2011 and Materialica “Best of” Award in 2011. In 1998, he was the BioFuture Competition winner for his works on biological attachment devices as possible sources for biomimetics. In 2018, he received Karl-Ritter-von-Frisch Medal of German Zoological Society. Gorb is Corresponding member of Academy of the Science and Literature Mainz, Germany (since 2010) and Member of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Germany (since 2011). Gorb has authored several books, more than 500 papers in peer-reviewed journals, and five patents.

Find out more about the Verrall Lecture 2026

Student Forum 2026
2026-03-30 09:00 - 2026-03-31 17:00
Student Forum 2026

Monday 30 – Tuesday 31 March, 10:00 – 17:00Newcastle University

We are delighted to announce details for our 2026 Student Forum! This annual two-day event run by the Royal Entomological Society’s student representatives is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students studying insects.

It provides an opportunity to network and discuss ideas with other students, consider options for your future careers in entomology, and share your research in a welcoming space. The programme also includes talks and careers advice from invited insect scientists and interactive workshops to help develop skills to help further your careers.

The 2026 event will be run in-person at Newcastle University. Plenary talks will be recorded for members to view after the event, but will not be live-streamed.

EntoFashion Day – Meet science with style!

It wouldn’t be a Student Forum without #EntoFashion Day!

From pin badges and scarves to antennae and mandibles, whether subtle or spectacular, wear your insect inspiration proudly and show off your best insect-themed outfits in Newcastle – creativity encouraged, glitter optional ✨

There’ll be a prize for the best look, so dress to impress!

Call for Abstracts

We are looking for in-person talk and poster submissions. All presenters must register as a delegate to attend in-person.

Abstract deadline: 17:00 (GMT), Saturday 28 February

Submit your abstract

Invited Speakers

Angharad Gatehouse, Professor Emerita of Invertebrate Molecular Biology, Newcastle University

Biography, photo and talk title to follow…

Charlie Outhwaite, Research Fellow at The Institute of Zoology

Talk title: GLiTRS – combining evidence types to understand global pressures on insect biodiversity.

Charlie Outhwaite is a Research Fellow at the Zoological Society of London’s Institute of Zoology. Her research focuses on understanding patterns and trends in insect populations, including the large-scale impacts of human-driven pressures such as land use and climate change.

She is involved in the GLiTRS project, which synthesises global data to understand insect responses to environmental threats at the global scale, and InsectAI, a collaborative initiative to advance insect monitoring and conservation using computer vision technologies. Charlie completed her PhD on modelling biodiversity trends from occurrence records at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and has held postdoc and teaching positions at UCL.

Matt Rogers, Senior Lecturer, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Talk title: TBC

Matthew (Matt) Rogers is an Associate Professor of Vector Biology in the Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. He has more than 25 years’ experience working on different aspects of the biology of Leishmania parasites, their vectors – sand flies and the transmission of leishmaniasis.

Matt graduated from Imperial College, London with a BSc in Biological Sciences in 1994. After a brief research assistantship on the chemotherapy of lymphatic filariasis at the International Institute of Parasitology, St Albans he obtained a MSc in Applied Parasitology and Medical Entomology from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in 1996.

Matt stayed in the Liverpool School for a further 10 years and completed a PhD in Leishmania-sand fly interactions and two post-doctoral appointments to work on the transmission of leishmaniasis during which he identified new aspects of the life cycle of Leishmania in their vector and the role of a glycan-rich biofilm secreted by Leishmania parasites in the sand fly for transmission and vertebrate infection. In 2006 he returned to Imperial College to work on the immunology of Leishmania infection by sand fly bite as a Wellcome Trust Advanced Training Fellow. During this time he developed an interest in field work through the KALANET programme, a community-wide clinical trial of insecticide-impregnated bednets against visceral leishmaniasis in India and Nepal, where he developed serological tools to measure vector exposure.

In 2009 Matt moved to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine as a lecturer and in 2010, secured a prestigious David Phillips Fellowship in the Department of Infection and Immunity to study the immunology of Leishmania infection from sand fly bite in greater detail. In 2013 he transferred to the Department of Disease Control where he is an associate professor in Vector Biology. Matt’s current work focusses on the transmission biology of leishmaniasis and he collaborates with a wide network of molecular biologists, biochemists, glycobiologists, physicists, bioinformaticians and mathematical modellers to understand this process in better detail.

Matt’s lab has been funded by a number of UK and international research bodies, including: the UKRI (BBSRC and MRC), Wellcome Trust, the Royal Society, WHO, EU and BMGF.

At LSHTM Matt is the Programme Director for the MSc Medical Parasitology & Entomology (https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/courses/masters-degrees/medical-parasitology ) and organises several teaching modules – Core Parasitology and Entomology, Vector Biology and Vector-Parasite Interactions modules and the MSc Field Trip.

Workshop

We are delighted to confirm that Kath Allen from Kath Allen Coaching will be delivering a workshop dealing with mental health and the unique challenges of academia.

Attendees will consider how to understand their stress triggers, how they can spot them and what they can do to support themselves, as well as being clear how they can ask for support and set boundaries with others.

Dr Kath Allen is an environmental leadership coach. She believes that nature passionate people make their biggest difference when they give themselves the same care that they give to nature.

Kath has a PhD in the conservation and ecology of rare damselflies and spent 15 years as an academic, researching topics ranging from wildfire in upland UK moorlands to tropical coral reef dynamics. After a successful career facilitating knowledge exchange between academics and conservation professionals, Kath now coaches them to maximise the impact of their work, in a way that is Truly Sustainable.

Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities

We would like to thank Koppert, Biological crop protection and pollination for growers worldwide, for kindly supporting our Student Forum again.

Partnering with us offers a valuable opportunity to showcase your organisation and engage directly with future talent. We offer a range of sponsorship and exhibition options and are happy to create bespoke packages to suit your business needs.

Student Forum partnership brochureDownload

Contact fran.fleming@royensoc.co.uk for more information.

RES Student representatives

Meet the Student Representatives

Genevieve Kiero WatsonLancaster University

Idris AdamsUniversity College London

Rosy Christopher Newcastle University

Registration

Registration covers the cost of both days of the conference, including refreshment breaks, lunches, and a poster session with drinks.

Please note there are discounted rates for student members of the RES, so if you are not a member already, consider joining today. Student membership is just £17 per year with one year’s free trial.

To access the discounted rates you will need to login to your account.

Registration deadline: 17:00 (GMT), Friday 13 March

In-personRES Student Member£50Non-member£80

Infection, Immunity & Microbionts Special Interest Group (SIG)
2026-04-16 10:00 - 2026-04-17 16:30
Infection, Immunity & Microbionts Special Interest Group (SIG)

Date: Thursday 16th – Friday 17th April 2026

Venue: Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath

Join our Infection, Immunity & Microbionts Special Interest Group for a two-day conference at the Milner Centre for Evolution, Bath.

Abstract submissions for oral and poster presentations are welcome from all research areas across the broad themes covered by the SIG (infection, immunity, microbiomes and symbionts). In addition, we plan a specific session focusing on functional consequences of insect immune interactions. Note that for this meeting we are happy to invite contributions from those who consider these topics within non-insect invertebrates, provided the research is relevant to insect systems.

Day 1: Symbionts and Microbiomes

Day 2: Pathogens and Immunity

There will be a conference dinner on the evening of Thursday 16 April, available at an additional cost. More information to follow…

Registration will be open shortly!

Keynote speakers

Ann Tate, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee, USA

Dr. Tate is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, USA. Her research investigates reciprocal ecological and evolutionary feedbacks between hosts and parasites. She uses a combination of theoretical approaches and experiments in insect model systems to understand how molecular details influence variation in population-level processes. Current areas of investigation include the evolution of pleiotropy in immune signaling networks, the role of co-infection in structuring ecological interactions across biological scales, and the evolution of stage-structured immunity across modes of metamorphosis.

Before moving to Vanderbilt she was a USDA NIFA postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Houston, USA, mentored by Tim Cooper. She completed my Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University (advised by Andrea L. Graham), and received her B.S. from Rice University, USA.

Stuart Reynolds, Emeritus Professor of Biology at the University of Bath

Born in Yorkshire but growing up in Lancashire, Stuart studied at Cambridge and did his PhD there too, working in the laboratory of Simon Maddrell on the stretchiness of insect cuticle. After a postdoc at Bristol with Charles Neville, he was lucky enough to win a Harkness Fellowship that took him to Seattle, USA, where he worked on the control of moulting with his heroes Jim Truman and Lynn Riddiford.

Returning to the UK in 1977 he took up a lectureship at Bath, where he has been ever since, working on all sorts of insect-related research problems, but especially the antagonistic co-evolutionary interactions between insects and their specialist pathogens.

Now retired, he is currently pottering about thinking about the evolution of metamorphosis and the evolution of host and vector ranges in parasites. He comments that he has always been interested in too many things at once and doesn’t see why he should stop now. He has been a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society since 1974 and organized a number of meetings for the Society including the memorable 2014 European Congress of Entomology at York. He was RES President in 2010-2012. He lives in rural Somerset, where he lives in a crumbling old house and likes gardening very much.

Call for abstracts

Abstract submissions for oral and poster presentations are welcome from all research areas across the broad themes covered by the SIG (infection, immunity, microbiomes and symbionts). In addition, we plan a specific session focusing on functional consequences of insect immune interactions. Note that for this meeting we are happy to invite contributions from those who consider these topics within non-insect invertebrates, provided the research is relevant to insect systems.

The deadline for submissions is Friday 6th March (5pm). Please note that all presenters must also register to attend the event.

Abstract Submission Form

Sponsorship

We would love to hear from companies who wish to support this event through an exhibition stand or sponsorship opportunity. Please see details of packages available below, or contact fran.fleming@royensoc.co.uk if you have any queries.

Sponsorship brochureDownload

Insect Hour: Pesticides, dogs & insect declines
2026-05-13 13:00 - 14:00 | https://www.royensoc.co.uk/event/insect-hour-pesticides-dogs-insect-declines/
Insect Hour: Pesticides, dogs & insect declines

Welcome to the first event in our online talk series exploring Grand Challenges in Entomology.

Insect Hour will be held every second Wednesday of the month* from 1pm-2pm (UK time). All are welcome – talks are free to attend and open to both RES members and non-members.

Register to attend below, grab a cuppa or sandwich and join us on Zoom! There will be time for questions and discussion towards the end of the session.

* Excluding August, September, and January

Talk summary

The extent and rate of insect declines are much discussed. Dave will focus on one driver of insect declines – our use of pesticides. He will highlight the global extent of pesticide use, but with a particular focus on use in gardens and as flea and tick treatments on domestic pets. He will explain the latest evidence that these uses are resulting in widespread contamination of rivers with potent insecticides.

The talk will be chaired by one of the RES Trustees or Events Committee.

Speaker

Dave Goulson, Professor of Biology at University of Sussex

Dave has published more than 350 scientific articles on the ecology of insects. He is the author of Bumblebees (OUP 2010), and of several bestselling popular books including A Sting in the Tale (2013), A Buzz in the Meadow (2014), The Garden Jungle (2019) and Silent Earth (2021), collectively translated in 20 languages.

Goulson founded the Bumblebee Conservation Trust in 2006, a charity that has grown to 12,000 members.

Awards: Zoological Society of London’s Marsh Award for Conservation Biology (2013); elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2013); British Ecological Society Public Engagement Award (2014); Zoological Society of London’s Clarivate Award for Communicating Zoology (2020).

In 2015 he was named number 8 in BBC Wildlife Magazine’s list of the most influential people in conservation. In the 6 years 2018-2023 he was named as a “Highly Cited Researcher” by Thompson ISI. He is an “Ambassador” for the UK Wildlife Trusts.

Insect Week 2026
2026-06-22 00:00 - 2026-06-28 23:59
Stand tall for the small this Insect Week

Insect Week is our annual celebration of the little things that run the world, dedicated to encouraging people of all ages to learn more about insects.

The Royal Entomological Society organises the week, supported by a large number of partner organisations with interests in the science, natural history and conservation of insects.

We look forward to all types of activities relating to insects including: art workshops, bug hunts, talks, exhibitions, discussion panels, media programmes, interactive exhibitions, art performances, school visits. If you would like to host an activity, please contact Fran Sconce.

Find out more at www.insectweek.org

What is an insect?

Why are they important?

What is an entomologist?

Get involved

Find an event

Visit the Insect Week Events page to find an event near you during Insect Week. We will be listing some of these nearer the time.

Planning an event during Insect Week?

Submit your event here and we will advertise it on our websites.

Want to organise an event but not sure where to start?

Visit our Organise an Event page for information to help you get your event up and running for Insect Week.

Biological Records

Biological records build a picture of where an insect species occurs (distribution), when it occurs in the year (phenology) and the habitat the insect is associated with (ecology). To monitor insect species, and see whether they are increasing or decreasing, we need detailed biological records to be collated over time. Your records can help ‘measure the health’ of insects in the UK.

Learn how to Record Insect Species here.

Competitions

Insect Week Photography Competition

The Insect Week Photography Competition is back again this year! Submit your best insect-themed photos for prizes and features. Be sure to read the Terms & Conditions before entering.

Insect Week Art Competition

Photography not your thing? We also have an Art Competition – Visit the Art & Photography Competition page to enter now.

Instar Magazine

Instar Magazine

Why not check out our digital magazine for young entomologists?

Find out more about insects and those people who study them in an exciting third edition of our digital magazine.

Read about metamorphosis, insect mouth parts, how insects hear & how to draw them!

Read Instar magazine online.

Social Media 🦋🐞🐝🐛

Follow @RoyEntSoc on social media platforms for more updates, great photography, interesting news and fun things to do, including our campaigns throughout the week.

Just tag us at @RoyEntSoc in posts with images, text, reels or your preferred medium and we will endeavour to share and feature as many as possible through our stories or reposts during #InsectWeek – Let’s do our best this week to share our love, respect and knowledge of insects.

#StandTallForTheSmall

Follow us on social media for updates and share your insect news and events using @royentsoc #InsectWeek

Bluesky (RES)

Bluesky (Journals)

Twitter

Instagram

LinkedIn

Facebook

YouTube

Get involved

XIII European Congress of Entomology - External
2026-06-29 08:00 - 2026-07-03 17:00
Welcome to ECE 2026

Join us in Tours, France, in the heart of the Loire Valley, from June 29 to July 3, 2026 for the XIII European Congress of Entomology.

Building on a rich tradition of international gatherings, ECE 2026 invites the global entomological community to share knowledge, foster collaboration; and explore the vital – and fascinating – role insects play in today’s world. From ecosystem services and sustainable innovation to the challenges of pests and invasive species, ECE 2026 will tackle it all.

ECE 2026 is the ideal forum for exploring this duality and the infinite diversity of insect species, evolutionary strategies, and insect-human interactions. With a rich program of plenary and keynote lectures, symposia, and poster sessions, our goal is to stimulate interdisciplinary dialogue – from fundamental science to applied innovation, from the molecular scale to global policy, and from biodiversity conservation to sustainable development.

Expect an inspiring scientific program, a warm atmosphere, and the French art de vivre – lively discussions by days, Loire valley gastronomy by night.

📅 Registration opens 10 July 2025🔗 Read more at www.ece2026.org

We look forward to welcoming you warmly to Tours in 2026.

Bienvenue à Tours!

(On behalf of the Organizing Committee)

The organizing committee of ECE2026 is proud to announce the Royal Entomological Society is a Gold Sponsor the XIII European Congress of Entomology, to be held in Tours, France from June 29 to July 3, 2026

Read more about ECE2026 and their supporters

Abstract Submission and Registration

Ento26
2026-09-08 09:00 - 2026-09-10 17:00
8 – 10 September 2026, Centre for Student Life, Cardiff University

We are delighted to invite you to Ento26, the Royal Entomological Society’s annual meeting dedicated to insect science. Join the global entomological community, with opportunities to present your work, meet new contacts and build collaborations.

You can join discussions on social media using #Ento26

Registration coming soon

Registration

Call for Symposia & Workshops

Exhibition & sponsorship

Rydym wrth ein bodd yn croesawu Ento26 i ddinas Caerdydd!

We are delighted to be hosting Ento26 in the city of Cardiff!

We would like to thank the Ento Convenors for their support with the programme planning.

Our Convenors represent four institutions across Wales. Swansea University, Bangor University, University of Bristol and BioMonde, Bridgend.

Lucy Alford

Micah Flores

Wendy Harris

Benjamin Jarrett

Meet the Convenors

Call for Symposia

After a successful pilot at Ento25, we are now accepting proposals for in-person member symposia and workshops at Ento26, and welcome submissions that highlight the full diversity and creativity of the entomological community, including innovative approaches, interdisciplinary perspectives, and voices from all backgrounds and career stages. Proposals relating to our Grand Challenges in Entomology are especially welcomed.

Submission deadline: Monday 19 January

Submit your application

Want to know more about the history of Ento?

Visit the Ento conference info hub

Join our international community and save on registration to all RES events

Sponsorship

Download the full sponsorship brochure

Purple Modern Sponsorship Proposal

Registration – coming soon

Advances in Hemipteran Research 2026
2026-10-29 10:00 - 2026-10-30 17:00
Advances in Hemipteran Research 2026

Thursday 29 October – Friday 30 October 2026

Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS), Brussels, Belgium

The Royal Entomological Society has expanded its former Aphid Special Interest Group to cover all hemipterans and is delighted to be working with the Aphid Research Network BAPOA, supported by INRAE, the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, on this joint event.

Too often, specialists work in isolation from others with whom they have much in common. All hemipterans have piercing mouthparts. Species from many families transmit plant viruses. On the other hand, they are hugely diverse. Some feed on plants, others on animals. They live on land, fresh water and even in the sea. Some are abundant pests, some are of conservation concern. Understanding commonalities and differences in terms of evolution, ecology, behaviour, physiology and systematics leads to improvements in practical outcomes.

Come and share your latest findings from the population to the molecular level and absorb those of others. Becoming more of a generalist can advance your specialism!

The call for abstracts and registration will be open in February 2026.

Conference dinner

Dinner at Le Roy d’Espagne for the evening of Thursday 29 October will be included in the conference price. This will comprise a three-course set menu and more information will be provided on registering.

Exhibition and Sponsorship

Join us in supporting our upcoming joint event! Connect with industry professionals, showcase your brand, and engage with an audience of approx. 150 delegates.

A range of sponsorship and exhibitor packages are available to suit different objectives and budgets, each offering valuable exposure and benefits. We are also happy to discuss bespoke packages tailored to your specific goals and needs.

Scroll down for exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities

Keynote speakers:

Prof. Thierry Hance, Université de Louvain-la-Neuve

Talk title: Demographics, sociality, behaviour and interactions: some evolutionary advantages of aphid populations

Thierry Hance’s laboratory

The Ecology of Interactions and Biological Control (EDIC) laboratory analyses multitrophic interactions between aphids (Aphididae), their parasitoids and the facultative symbiotic bacteria that give aphids complementary properties, as well as the viruses they can transmit to host plants. To gain the most comprehensive possible understanding of these interactions and their consequences, the team employs a variety of approaches, ranging from behavioural analysis to genome sequencing and the study of physiological aspects related to developmental temperatures. More recently, the influence of facultative endosymbionts of aphids, particularly cultivable strains of Serratia symbiotica, has been investigated. Circulation of the bacterium in the food web has been demonstrated, as has its role in defending aphids against parasitoids and modifying the behaviour of their hosts.

Biography

Thierry Hance is a trained biologist who specialises in ecology and population biology, particularly with regard to insects. He completed his PhD at UCLouvain, researching the role of predatory insect populations in protecting crops against aphids in agricultural areas. Following postdoctoral research into the adaptation of certain species to low temperatures at an Agriculture Canada research station, he was appointed a qualified researcher at the FNRS in Belgium in 1991. There, he developed research topics on the evolutionary relationships between plants and insects, and between hosts and parasitoids. Aphididae are at the centre of the models that I have studied in interaction with their parasitoids. Since becoming a professor at the Catholic University of Louvain in Louvain-la-Neuve in 1996, he has developed a research laboratory focusing on the ecology of interactions and biological control (EDIC). His research focuses on the ecology and population dynamics of insects and mites, some of which are of interest in agriculture. He has also developed practical biological control models for use in cereals, orchards, and greenhouses, with the aim of replacing pesticides. The expertise and technology developed in the EDIC laboratory has led to the establishment of a company specialising in producing insects for biological control purposes (www.viridaxis.com). He is currently focusing on the relationship between agriculture and biodiversity through European projects on the importance of landscape heterogeneity and crop management, including agroecological approaches.

Website: https://www.uclouvain.be/en/research-institutes/eli/eliv/team-hance

Prof. Saskia Hogenhout, John Innes Center

Talk title: Building resilience to insect-vectored plant pathogens

The Hogenhout Lab

The lab of Saskia Hogenhout investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying plant-microbe-insect interactions (MPMII), with two main research directions. One focuses on the virulence strategies of insect-transmitted phytoplasmas, specifically how their effector proteins reprogram plant development and suppress immunity to benefit both the pathogen and its insect vector. The second explores the biology of sap-feeding hemipteran insects—including aphids, leafhoppers, and froghoppers—by generating population genomics resources and studying how their salivary proteins manipulate plant processes to facilitate feeding and transmission.

Biography

Saskia A. Hogenhout received her BSc and MSc from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in 1994 and completed her PhD at Wageningen University in 1999. She began her independent career at The Ohio State University, where she was appointed Assistant Professor in 1999 and promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2005. In 2007, she relocated her lab to the John Innes Centre in the UK and became an Honorary Professor at the University of East Anglia in 2013. She was elected a Member of EMBO in 2023 and a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2024.

Website: https://www.jic.ac.uk/people/saskia-hogenhout/ Twitter: @SaskiaHogenhout

Dr Emmanuelle Jousselin, INRAE CBGP Montpellier

Talk title: Beyond Buchnera: the evolutionary consequences of symbiont turnover in Aphids

Biography

Emmanuelle Jousselin is a research scientist at CBGP, INRAE. Her research program focuses on understanding the evolutionary processes that structure interactions between phytophagous insects and their host plants, with a particular emphasis on aphids and their symbiotic bacteria. She combines molecular systematics, phylogenomic and macroevolutionary approaches to investigate host–symbiont coevolution, cospeciation, and the ecological and evolutionary drivers of symbiont turnover, which she has shown to be pivotal in aphid adaptation and diversification. Her recent work has focused on the phylogeny and the diversification of conifer-feeding aphids, and the evolutionary dynamics of nutritional symbionts in this group.

Sponsorship and Exhibition opportunities

Download the brochure

Hemiptera SIG 2026 sponsorship brochure

Orthoptera Special Interest Group (SIG) 2026
2026-11-04 12:00 - 17:30
Orthoptera Special Interest Group (SIG) 2026

Join us for the Royal Entomological Society’s annual Orthoptera meeting about grasshopper and cricket research, conservation, recording and more.

Our Orthoptera Special Interest Group (SIG) provides a forum for the discussion of all aspects of research and outreach involving Orthoptera, including behaviour, physiology, acoustics, ecology and taxonomy.

We welcome contributions from all enthusiasts, students, academics, and other professionals.

More information and details on how to register will follow in due course.

Insects as Food and Feed Special Interest Group (SIG) 2026
2026-11-19 09:30 - 2026-11-20 17:00
Insects as Food and Feed Special Interest Group (SIG) 2026

Date: Thursday 18th – Friday 19th November 2026 (timings TBC)

Venue: Central London (venue TBC)

After such a successful meeting in October 2025, we are pleased to announce that plans for IAFF2026 are under way! Keep an eye on this space for more details…

Here’s what our 2025 delegates had to say:

“Well organised, good agenda & speakers, valuable insights and diverse perspectives.”

“What a breath of fresh air. Compared to previous events I’ve been to, the breadth of topics covered was superb and the quality of the Keynote speakers excellent. This was everything you hope for at such an event.”

“It was packed with amazing information (relevant to my research) and rejuvenated my energies to move forward with studies.”

“I enjoyed the diversity of attendees, both academic and industry.”

Partner with us

We would love to hear from you if you are interested in partnering with us at IAFF26, as a sponsor or exhibitor. We are happy to tailor packages to suit your needs and budget. Packages will be available soon but meanwhile, please contact fran.fleming@royensoc.co.uk for more information.

Convenors

Dr Jessica Stokes, FRES

Jess is the Royal Entomological Society’s Project Officer. With a strong academic and industry background in vector-borne diseases, she maintains extensive links across academia and industry, including ongoing supervision and support of students. Elected a Fellow of the Society in 2025, she works across a broad portfolio of projects supporting emerging member needs, strengthening links between science and industry, and helping the RES develop innovative services for newly evolving areas of entomology.

Jess leads the Society’s work on insects as food and feed, supporting the development of best practice, policy-relevant guidance, and engagement with industry and other stakeholders.

Daniel Amor, University of Bristol

Daniel pursued a PhD at Nottingham, focusing on the relationship between insect protein structure and functionality in food systems – particularly in developing sustainable, high-protein snack products using compression popping. Following his PhD, Daniel continued as a researcher at Nottingham, contributing to a wide range of projects in soft matter biomaterials and biointerfaces, from fundamental biomaterials studies to clinical applications of non-fermentable fibre.

Daniel now teaches Biochemistry at the University of Bristol, where he co-convenes IAFF.

Kieran Robertson, Queen’s University Belfast

Kieran is a TEDx Speaker, Convenor of the RES Food & Feed Special Interest Group, Co-Chair and Secretary of the IWRS Early Career Committee, and a PhD Researcher at the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast. Throughout his PhD, Robertson seeks to research the application of insects and insect proteins in livestock feed to reduce soybean dependence and support sustainable agri-food systems.

ICE2028
2028-07-17 10:00 - 2028-07-21 17:00
XXVIII International Congress of Entomology 2028

We are excited to announce the XXVIII International Congress of Entomology (ICE2028) taking place in Cape Town, South Africa, hosted by the Entomological Society of Southern Africa in 2028.

More information TBC
