In a new paper, @jeffsebo.bsky.social and Toni Sims argue that insect research needs ethical oversight. Their article covers moral reasoning behind their argument and initial steps forward—including developing policies and methods for assessing welfare risks. Full paper here:

This fascinating video from @scishow.bsky.social explores how jumping spiders in the genus Portia can plan ahead, learn through trial and error, and even lie! Explore the latest on spider cognition here: youtu.be/lwPryksCmIo

📅 Deadline reminder: Jan 15, 2026 Calling shrimp & aquaculture researchers! We're seeking proposals to address welfare challenges for Pacific white shrimps & giant tiger prawns in commercial aquaculture. 🦐 Just a few weeks left to apply! Up to $10K–$50K available Apply: bit.ly/3KVCwMR

We've extended our Biological Recorder 3Rs Innovation Award deadline to February 28! Amateur entomologists and invertebrate recorders with 2+ years experience can receive up to $2,000 to test and refine biological recording methods using 3Rs approaches. 🦋 Apply here: bit.ly/4pluUC8

How do we measure consciousness in insects? Colin Klein (Australian National University) and Andrew Barron (Macquarie University) propose a neural model that focuses on the core computations simple brains perform. Learn more via @us.theconversation.com:

Do you have burning questions about insect sentience and welfare? Check out this Q&A with Prof. Bob Fischer, published by Rethink Priorities. He tackles questions like: Is consciousness all-or-nothing? Should we prioritize welfare research over sentience research? Read more: bit.ly/48i6SSL

How do beekeeping practices affect bees, beekeepers, and the environment simultaneously? Check out this interesting new study, exploring 295 Honey Bee Welfare Practices (HBWPs) through a One Welfare framework.

New work from Animal Ethics is drawing attention to the growing body of evidence on aquatic animal sentience. Seantience, a short documentary directed by Xiana Castro, brings together recent findings on the capacity to feel in both vertebrates and invertebrates.

Fascinating exploration of how to make evidence-based decisions about allocating time and resources to invertebrate welfare @jeffsebo.bsky.social

ICYMI: Dr. David Fisher (University of Aberdeen) presented his research on cockroach sentience in our latest IWRS seminar, including the first evidence of juvenile motivational trade-offs in insects. He also discussed implications for research practices and pest control. Watch: bit.ly/3LJQYb4

Fascinating new evidence of individual face recognition in Phidippus regius.

The deadline is approaching for our Biological Recorder 3Rs Innovation Award! Amateur entomologists and invertebrate recorders with 2+ years experience can apply for up to $2,000 to test and refine biological recording methods using 3Rs approaches. 🦋 Applications due by December 1: bit.ly/4pluUC8

You can pick up a pamphlet or info sheet from the @insectwrs.bsky.social at any of our in person events. They are a great org doing good things to raise awareness of insects place in our world and the respect, care, and consideration that they deserve. 🫡 🐛

Calling all insect researchers! 🐛 The Barrett Lab at Indiana University Indianapolis is hiring for a 2-year position, laboratory research specialist, in insect neuroscience and welfare. Interested applicants should apply as soon as possible; the position is open until filled: bit.ly/43sv1TQ

In October, Prof. Bob Fischer presented "What do we know about insect sentience?", reviewing the latest evidence on insect pain and welfare concerns in farming contexts. Read the full summary from Rethink Priorities:

Join us November 12, 4pm GMT as Dr. David Fisher (U of Aberdeen) shares new research on cockroach sentience, including the first-ever evidence of juvenile motivational trade-offs in insects. He will also explore implications for research & pest control. Join us:

The best part about replacing your lawn with native #pollinating plants is you can start today and start small. Attached are a few enamel #pins representing #pollinators that will thank you for it. What native #plants have you put in your lawn? #entomology #entofashion #enamelpins

Know an amateur entomologist or invertebrate recorder? 🦋 We're offering up to $2,000 to help test and refine biological recording methods using 3Rs approaches. Need 2+ years experience. Deadline: Dec 1. Learn more:

Our ‘unsexy’ moth could help farmers fight pests without pesticides.

Calling all shrimp and aquaculture researchers! 🦐 We're funding research on Pacific white shrimp & giant tiger prawn welfare in commercial settings—work that could impact billions of animals. Up to $10K ($50K for exceptional projects). EOIs due Jan 15, 2026. Apply: bit.ly/3KVCwMR

Only a couple weeks left to apply for the IWRS Graduate Student Research Awards! 🐛 Deadline: Oct 31, 2025 Open to all grad students globally Perfect for students interested in cognition, pain, and welfare in invertebrates Apply: bit.ly/4qdPV2E #InsectWelfare #GradResearch

What do we know about insect sentience? With forecasts of trillions farmed by 2033, it's a pressing research question. Join Prof. Bob Fischer on Oct 20 (1pm ET) for a Rethink Priorities webinar exploring: - Can insects feel pain? - Welfare in insect farming - Approaches to improving conditions

ICYMI: On Oct 2, the Center for Insect Biomanufacturing and Innovation (CIBI) held its first Annual Insect Livestock Health & Disease Seminar. Experts discussed: - Colony health monitoring - Emerging pathogens - Welfare standards - Sustainable practices - and more Watch here:

Insects aren’t ‘little robots’—so scientists are rethinking their welfare: Science chats with an entomologist and an expert in animal ethics who are monitoring how researchers report on the ethical treatment of insects. | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

Mondays talk by @beebytes.bsky.social was a fantastic deep dive on what is, and is not, known on humane insect collections 🪲 highly recommend a watch as Meghan gave some really useful & practical tips @insectwrs.bsky.social @royentsoc.bsky.social

Join us today for "What we know, and don't know, about humane insect collection" - a virtual webinar covering anesthesia methods, best practices for harm reduction, and more. 2:30-4 PM ET | 7:30-9 PM BST Speaker: Dr. Meghan Barrett (Indiana University Indianapolis) Sign up: bit.ly/4miGqMI

Join us Sept 24, 5 PM BST for our seminar with Prof. Kristoffer Whitney (Rochester Institute of Technology): "Blood Money: The history of horseshoe crabs in science and medicine" He will explore historical, political, and ethical issues related to marine invertebrate welfare: bit.ly/3K2acYC

Fantastic talk by @birchlse.bsky.social on ethical review for insect research as part of @royentsoc.bsky.social #Ento25 insect ethics workshop @insectwrs.bsky.social

Thanks to those who joined our webinar featuring Dr. Matilda Gibbons (University of Pennsylvania): "How Can We Measure Sentience in an Insect?" In case you missed it, the video is available on our YouTube channel: youtu.be/HajWZuMto0A

Listen now! On Research Podcast Episode 7: Navigating the Ethics of Insect Research: Sentience, Welfare, and Scientific Responsibility This episode discusses the ethics and welfare of insects in research. https://post.citiprogram.org/3ISrXsO #InsectWelfare #InsectResearch #AnimalCare #AnimalResearch

Join us August 26 for our webinar with Dr. Matilda Gibbons (UPenn) exploring "How Can We Measure Sentience in an Insect?" 🐛 She'll examine scientific vs. policy approaches to defining sentience—and the consequences of choosing one path over the other. Join us: bit.ly/4ou1B0F

Check out @royentsoc.bsky.social's Welfare & Ethics forum, one of their 20+ Special Interest Groups! 🐛

My new paper with @walterveit.bsky.social looks at the case of black soldier fly farming to examine what best practice in farmed insect welfare might look like and how to achieve it doi.org/10.1079/abwc...

It's #InsectWeek 2025! The celebration's learning resources include @larschittka.bsky.social's entoLIVE webinar on bee intelligence. 🐝 Learn how they recognize faces, exhibit emotions, use tools, and more. @Royentsoc.bsky.social‬

@Royentsoc.bsky.social‬ is hosting events, learning resources, and a photography competition for #InsectWeek 2025! 🪲 From bees using tools to butterflies navigating thousands of miles—let's use this week to appreciate their abilities and consider what they need to thrive.

June 23-29 is #InsectWeek 2025! 🪲 @Royentsoc.bsky.social‬'s activities span tours, talks, learning resources, and competitions—countless ways to connect with insects and reflect on their complex lives.

Our next research seminar with Simon Brown from LSE is open for registration! Sign up here: www.insectwelfare.com/seminars

✨Bumble bee probability of occurrence responds to interactions between local and landscape land use, climatic niche properties and climate change🐝New paper out, led by @tnewbold31.bsky.social, & with @jetkerr.bsky.social & Peter Soroye (the result of some fantastic trips across the Atlantic 🇨🇦) 🌎 🧪 🌐

Each year, we welcome distinguished entomologists from around the world to give a plenary lecture at our annual conference. We are excited to announce the plenary speakers for #Ento25. Read more about them on the event page 🔽 buff.ly/RtKCoT3 unistrathclyde.bsky.social #StrathLife

Join us on the 22nd for our next research seminar featuring Emeritus Professor Bob Elwood discussing Pain Possibility in Crustaceans. Free registration here: www.insectwelfare.com/seminars

Join us on the 22nd for our next research seminar featuring Emeritus Professor Bob Elwood discussing Pain Possibility in Crustaceans. Free registration here: www.insectwelfare.com/seminars

@royentsoc.bsky.social are looking for new committee members to join the Events Committee 🦋 Interested in helping with events like #Ento2025 or #Verrall then consider applying! www.royensoc.co.uk/opportunitie... @hau-entomology.bsky.social @insectwrs.bsky.social @unirdgento.bsky.social

The beautiful Spartocera pantomima, a leaf-footed bug in an Ecuadorian cloud forest.

Spring 2025 has been very good for the Map (A levana, landkaartje) on Dutch Butterfly Monitoring transects, recovering after a series of dry years with a large 3rd gen in 2024. However the lack of rain now is also worrying for the next generations.

Tardigrade won #invertebrate of the year! 😍 Probably the best news we'll see all day, and see below for a lovely quote 🧪

🚨One day left to take part in @royentsoc.bsky.social insect welfare survey 🚨 www.royensoc.co.uk/news/res-wel... Based in the UK & work with insects? Last chance to share your thoughts 🙌🏽 @insectwrs.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @coleopsoc.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

Late? Yep! 9 days late. Try that on for size!😊 Been very busy cooking something up. But the facts are back from today so all is good with the world again…isn’t it? Isn’t it? 🙄😔 Thanks for your patience folks. #bees #nature

Interested in insect ethics? @royentsoc.bsky.social has a survey out for any UK researchers that use insects in their work: www.royensoc.co.uk/news/res-wel.... #insect #welfare #ethics #entomology #UKscience #research @insectwrs.bsky.social

#theBeeAt3 Basic bee facts every day at 3pm. # 70 #Bumblebees transport pollen in ‘baskets’ on their hind legs and nectar in their honeystomach. They can carry their body weight in nectar and up to 90% of their body weight in pollen. What they carry affects how they fly. #bees #nature 🌍🐝

Playing with images of black and shiny flies for when I eventually get to writing a new key; hopefully. Alloborborus pallifrons (Sphaeroceridae; Copromyzinae) a smart small fly, very 'spikey'. Larvae develop in horse dung (usually), not a species I find often. www.dipteraid.co.uk #ecology #flies