Introduction to Harvestmen

Harvestmen must be one of the most familiar and engaging invertebrates for the non-naturalist.  They are often easily observed, sitting on walls and running among flower-beds in gardens, but very few people understand their predatory ecological role or quite how easy many species are to recognise in the field.
With only 33 British species to contend with, it is straightforward to learn how to identify a high proportion of British species from just a few characteristics.  New species to Britain seem to be turning up almost annually in recent years, so it is an exciting time to be looking at these amazing creatures.

Through a combination of image-rich talks and field practice, this will be a good introduction to allow you to recognise a good proportion of the British species.   You will also learn about the new species that are spreading rapidly across the country and may be in a garden near you, waiting to be discovered.

By the end of this course, you will:

• Understand the basic anatomy and lifestyle of British harvestmen
• Be familiar with the features diagnostic for their identification
• Have a better understanding of how to find and record these arachnids in the field
• Hopefully have experience of catching and identifying live specimens in the hand

Who Should Attend? – This course will be suitable for someone wanting to take a closer look at harvestmen for the first time or add some identification skills to an existing interest. Studying harvestmen is a good starting point for looking at other arachnids and insects.

Knowledge Level – Beginner. Level descriptors can be found on the following web-page: Framework and Course Level Descriptors

Prior Knowledge – No previous experience of identifying harvestmen is required.

PLEASE NOTE: There is no accommodation, refreshments, or meal facilities included in the course price. If we are unable to reach viable numbers for this course, we will inform you of the course cancellation 4-5 weeks prior to the course run. We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Paul Richards

Paul Richards has nearly 40 years’ experience as a professional zoologist, curator and ecologist specialising in invertebrates.  He currently works with a research team looking at Heliconius butterfly wing scale development and mimicry evolution at the University of Sheffield, where he has previously researched urban invertebrate diversity, ecosystem services and bird reproduction.  In recent years he has undertaken commercial field ecology and worked for Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust as Ecological Monitoring Officer and helped to write the Sheffield State of Nature Report. For the 25 years prior to that he was Senior Curator of Natural History at Museums Sheffield.
Paul is Sorby Natural History Society recorder for Millipedes, Centipedes, Woodlice, Harvestmen, and Pseudoscorpions.  His publications include the recently updated Field Studies Council guide to British Harvestmen and the new atlas of Dragonflies of the Sheffield area.

Example Timetable

This timetable is subject to change but should give a clear outline of what to expect.

• Please arrive in time for the course to start promptly at 10:00
• The course will end at 17:00

10:00-10:15 General introduction
10:15 – 11:00 Introduction to Opiliones:

• Life history
• Habitats/Ecology
• Anatomy

11:00-11:15 Break - refreshments not provided

11:15 – 13:00 Identification:

• Recognising ‘easy’ species
• Recognising some trickier common species

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch - not provided
14:00 – 15:30 In the field:

• H&S briefing
• Field techniques
• Practice identification skills

15:30 – 16:15 Looking at some recently recorded, rarer species
16:15-16:45 Recording methods
16:45 -17:00 Summary and questions

Order and duration of each element will be flexible in order to take advantage of weather conditions and species present.

Please note accommodation, refreshments, and an evening meal are not included in the course price. 

• 
  Expert Tuition

The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you build your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.

The course includes:

• Classroom learning covering the theory of the species
• Field excursions to apply new knowledge
• Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
• Clear objectives and progression

You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.

Natural History Bursaries

There are a number of natural history bursaries available to help with the cost of your course. To find out if you and your chosen course are eligible, read more here.

What to Bring

• Hand lens
• Clipboard
• Pen and paper
• Field Studies Council Harvestmen Guide
• Sweep net (with or without telescopic handle) would be useful to bring if you own one
• Lunch and refreshments
• Sensible footwear and clothing for being outdoors

There will be a member of staff with first aid training and access to a first aid kit on site. If you have special medical or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the course.