Welcome to an Introduction to insects. Do you know your bugs from your beetles? Your grasshoppers from bush-crickets? How can I identify the moth that has just flown into my house?
The course will introduce you to the key features of the main insect groups. The resources available will help you identify insects, develop basic field skills and explore how to use your records after a positive identification.
About the tutor
Adrian Knowles
Adrian Knowles started his ecological career in 1987 with Hampshire County Council, undertaking specialist botanical surveys of key habitats in connection with their Heritage Sites policy at the time. A brief stint as a college lecturer was followed by nearly thirty years’ experience with the Essex Wildlife Trust and its consultancy subsidiary.
He has been County Recorder for Aculeate Hymenoptera (bees, wasps and ants) within the Suffolk Natu
ralists’ Society since 2001 and in 2011 was accepted as a Fellow of Royal Entomological Society in recognition of his work with this insect group. Since 2021 he has been the Hemiptera (bug) Recorder for the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society and in 2025 became the Homoptera (leafhopper and planthopper) Recorder for the Essex Field Club.
He is now a self-employed ecologist/entomologist.
Please note: This course is not part of the Biodiversity learning framework, this course is organised by Flatford Mill and the tutor.
Explore our range of nature courses hosted by our engaging tutors and learn from their expertise and knowledge. Our nature experiences are a chance to meet like-minded people, a chance to unwind from everyday life, and a great opportunity to experience the UK’s glorious wildlife and the surrounding countryside of our field centres.
This course is open to participants aged 18 and over only. For under-18s, please contact the centre directly or see our young people courses and activities for families.
What's Included
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Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Hot and Cold Drinks
Refreshments are included, but please bring a packed lunch with you.
Before You Attend
What to Bring
- Notebook and pencil>
- Sensible footwear and clothing for being outdoors
- Small bag to carry personal items
- ria-posinset=”4″ data-aria-level=”1″>Lunch and refreshments
If you have them:
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ria-posinset=”1″ data-aria-level=”1″>Your preferred insect guide book
- Your own hand net (but can be provided)
- A x10 hand lens or similar
- Short-focussing binoculars
- A smart phone, ipad or tablet (by no means essential but may help with looking at online resources)
Opportunities to attend this course
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Thu 22, July 2027 9:30am - Thu 22, July 2027 5:00pm
