Entomology workshops
We offer workshops for children, gardeners, hobby farmers and anybody else who just wants to know more about insects.
These workshops run for 3-4 hours and the content is tailored to the interests of the group. We begin with a one hour presentation followed by a hands-on session looking at live or preserved samples of insects and mites. Options for the final part of the workshop include a ‘bug hunt’ in a nearby crop, garden, grassland or bush, or a discussion about strategies for managing pests relevant to the group.
These workshops are informal and interactive – we welcome participants to raise questions and bring along insect samples or images of insects that they would like to identify or learn more about.
Workshop topics
Each workshop is tailored to the interests of the group. Examples of possible topics include:
- Insect lifecycles and ecology
- The role of insects in gardens, crops, pastures and native environments
- Pests and beneficials – an introduction to the concept of ‘good bugs’
- Methods for monitoring, sampling and identifying insects and mites
- How to deal with insect pests – biological, cultural and chemical control methods
Hands-on activites
Through the magnifying glass
All our workshops include a hands-on training element using live or preserved samples of insects and mites. We teach participants how to use a handlens and how to identify relevant insects at various lifecycle stages.
In addition to these activities, our workshops can include an in-field training session with a demonstration of insect monitoring and sampling techniques.
Number of participants
Each workshop is presented by two experienced entomologists and we limit the number of workshop participants to 16.
This ratio allows us to offer adequate attention to the training needs of each individual participant, particularly during the hands-on insect and mite identification session.
Price
$1,500 plus GST and travel
