Insect Identification

Learning Outcomes

  • Knowledge of insect taxonomy
  • Knowledge of how to recognise common insect families by sight
  • Training in the use of scientific keys to identify insects to species level
  • Practice in the curation of insect collections
  • A reference collection of insects collected and curated during the course
  • Course Agenda

  • Ethics of collecting insects from the wild; professional codes and personal responsibility (for example, we will not be collecting butterflies or reproductive queen bees)
  • Insect taxonomy: an overview of insect phylogeny and morphology
  • Collection: sweep nets, light traps, beating trays, pitfall traps, malaise traps, Tullgren funnels
  • Identification: scientific keys to species level except where this would not leave the specimen intact
  • Curation: killing and preserving insects, pinning, pointing, use of wing-boards, labelling
  • For more information on this course, please contact llahub@newcastle.ac.uk or enquire here

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