Insect Welfare Research Society
@insectwrs.bsky.social
📤 681
📥 590
📝 36
Connecting the global community of insect welfare researchers and stakeholders.
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:
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(PDF) Ethical Oversight for Insect ResearchNadzór etyczny nad badaniami nad owadamiЭтический надзор за исследованиями насекомых
PDF | In this article, we present a high-level argument for ethical oversight for insect research. There is a realistic possibility that insects are... | Find, read and cite all the research you need…
https://bit.ly/494z4aM
4 days ago
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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
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The Genius Spiders Changing How We Think About Brains
Go to https://complexly.store/ to support Complexly this holiday season! Despite having a brain the size of a pinhead, jumping spiders in the genus Portia can plan ahead, learn through trial and…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwPryksCmIo
8 days ago
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Insect Welfare Research Society
Arthropoda Foundation
17 days ago
📅 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
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Arthropoda Foundation - Call for Proposals
The Arthropoda Foundation is currently accepting expressions of interest for its current call for proposals. Please fill out this form to apply. Any questions may be directed to grants@arthropodafound...
https://bit.ly/3KVCwMR
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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
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Biological Recorder 3Rs Innovation Award — Insect Welfare Research Society
"Amateur" entomologists, arachnologists, and others contribute significant knowledge through their biological recording and collections work, recording species occurrences, range shifts, and…
https://bit.ly/4pluUC8
18 days ago
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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
:
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Are animals and AI conscious? We’ve devised new theories for how to test this
What matters for consciousness is not what you do, but how you do it.
https://bit.ly/4oC09YK
24 days ago
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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
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The case for insect sentience (2/2): Frequently asked questions, answered
Q&A with expert Prof. Bob Fischer
https://bit.ly/48i6SSL
26 days ago
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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.
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Categorisation of the One Welfare Practices in Beekeeping
Honey bees are essential for agriculture and biodiversity. However, their welfare is often overlooked. This study explores how Honey Bee Welfare Practices (HBWPs) can be integrated into the One Welfare...
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12345481/
about 1 month ago
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Insect Welfare Research Society
Ethical Seafood Research
about 1 month ago
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.
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Fascinating exploration of how to make evidence-based decisions about allocating time and resources to invertebrate welfare
@jeffsebo.bsky.social
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about 1 month ago
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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
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- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
https://bit.ly/3LJQYb4
about 1 month ago
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Fascinating new evidence of individual face recognition in Phidippus regius.
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about 2 months ago
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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
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Biological Recorder 3Rs Innovation Award — Insect Welfare Research Society
https://bit.ly/4pluUC8
about 2 months ago
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Roving House
about 2 months ago
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. 🫡 🐛
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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
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Laboratory Research Specialist - HigherEdJobs
Jobs in higher education. Faculty and administrative positions at colleges and universities. Updated daily. Free to job seekers.
https://www.higheredjobs.com/details.cfm?JobCode=179292988
about 2 months ago
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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:
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The case for insect sentience (1/2): The evidence
A review of current research insights with expert Prof. Bob Fischer
https://bit.ly/47RG9eq
about 2 months ago
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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:
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Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Positive and negative affective states, motivational trade-offs, and consequences of tagging in a cockroach. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
David Fisher, Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen Whether non-human animals are sentient is critical for determining how we act towards them. Key features of more complex…
https://bit.ly/4oJQT5X
about 2 months ago
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Insect Welfare Research Society
Roving House
2 months ago
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
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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:
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Biological Recorder 3Rs Innovation Award — Insect Welfare Research Society
"Amateur" entomologists, arachnologists, and others contribute significant knowledge through their biological recording and collections work, recording species occurrences, range shifts, and…
https://www.insectwelfare.com/biological-recorder-3rs-innovation-award
2 months ago
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The Conversation UK
3 months ago
Our ‘unsexy’ moth could help farmers fight pests without pesticides.
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We turned off moths’ sex signals – this could be the key to greener pest control
Our ‘unsexy’ moth could help farmers fight pests without pesticides.
https://tcnv.link/CgNbSbp
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Insect Welfare Research Society
Arthropoda Foundation
2 months ago
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
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Arthropoda Foundation - Call for Proposals
The Arthropoda Foundation is currently accepting expressions of interest for its current call for proposals. Please fill out this form to apply. Any questions may be directed to grants@arthropodafound...
http://bit.ly/3KVCwMR
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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
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Student Research Awards — Insect Welfare Research Society
Awards are due October 31, 2025 at midnight your local time. Instructions below.
https://bit.ly/4qdPV2E
3 months ago
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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
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What do we know about insect sentience? · Zoom · Luma
Welcome to the RP Strategic Animal Webinars and the talk and Q&A session: What do we know about insect sentience? Date: October 20, 2025 (10 AM PDT, 1 PM EDT,…
http://bit.ly/42uUN9q
3 months ago
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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:
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CIBI Recording 2 Oct 2025 AWC Seminar YT
CIBI Animal Welfare Seminar: Insect Livestock Health and Disease
https://youtu.be/MzK48T1ShZ8
3 months ago
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Insect Welfare Research Society
Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics
3 months ago
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...
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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
https://www.science.org/content/article/insects-aren-t-little-robots-so-scientists-are-rethinking-their-welfare
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Insect Welfare Research Society
Dr Jess Stokes
3 months ago
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
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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
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Select tickets – What we know, and don't know, about humane insect collection - Webinar – Zoom
What we know, and don't know, about humane insect collection - Webinar – Zoom, Mon 22 Sep 2025 - This webinar has been jointly organised with the Insect Welfare Research Society For many reasons, we…
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/tanypteraproject/1845253
3 months ago
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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
4 months ago
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Insect Welfare Research Society
Dr Jess Stokes
4 months ago
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
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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
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How Can We Measure Sentience in an Insect?
YouTube video by Insect Welfare Research Society
https://youtu.be/HajWZuMto0A
4 months ago
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Insect Welfare Research Society
CITI Program
5 months ago
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
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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
5 months ago
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Check out
@royentsoc.bsky.social
's Welfare & Ethics forum, one of their 20+ Special Interest Groups! 🐛
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5 months ago
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Insect Welfare Research Society
Dr Heather Browning (Veit)
7 months ago
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...
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Best Practice for Farmed Insect Welfare: Lessons from Black Soldier Flies | Animal Behaviour and Welfare Cases
A close-up view of a Black Soldier Fly sitting on a surface. Abstract There is a growing concern for the welfare of farmed insects due to the recognition of their probable sentience and their incre...
https://doi.org/10.1079/abwcases.2025.0014
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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
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The Mind of a Bee: An Exploration of the Intelligence of Bees
Delve into the mind of a bee with Prof Lars Chittka (Queen Mary College of the University of London) and explore how bee brains are unparalleled in the animal kingdom.
https://bit.ly/3SQrA3B
6 months ago
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@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.
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23 - 29 June 2025 - Insect Week
Royal Entomological Society
https://www.insectweek.org/
6 months ago
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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.
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23 - 29 June 2025 - Insect Week
Royal Entomological Society
https://www.insectweek.org/
7 months ago
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Our next research seminar with Simon Brown from LSE is open for registration! Sign up here:
www.insectwelfare.com/seminars
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Seminars — Insect Welfare Research Society
https://www.insectwelfare.com/seminars
7 months ago
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Dr Jess Williams
7 months ago
✨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 🇨🇦) 🌎 🧪 🌐
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Bumble Bee Probability of Occurrence Responds to Interactions Between Local and Landscape Land Use, Climatic Niche Properties and Climate Change
We analyse a collation of bumble bee presence and absence data from across the continents of Western Europe and North America, spanning both natural and human-modified habitats. We find that bumble b....
https://tinyurl.com/68sn937n
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Royal Entomological Society
7 months ago
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
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Plenary speakers - Royal Entomological Society
Plenary Speakers Wigglesworth Memorial Lecture with Professor May Berenbaum Hon.FRES We are pleased to announce that Prof. May Berenbaum Hon.FRES will be delivering our Wigglesworth Memorial Lecture…
https://buff.ly/RtKCoT3
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Insect Welfare Research Society
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
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Seminars — Insect Welfare Research Society
https://www.insectwelfare.com/seminars
8 months ago
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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
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Seminars — Insect Welfare Research Society
https://www.insectwelfare.com/seminars
8 months ago
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Insect Welfare Research Society
Dr Jess Stokes
8 months ago
@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
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Events Committee Vacancies 2025 - Royal Entomological Society
The RES is looking to recruit members to join our newly structured Events Committee, working in line with our new Events Strategy. We particularly welcome applicants whose expertise relates to areas o...
https://www.royensoc.co.uk/opportunities/events-committee-vacancies-2025/
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Alex Wild
8 months ago
The beautiful Spartocera pantomima, a leaf-footed bug in an Ecuadorian cloud forest.
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Insect Welfare Research Society
Chris van Swaay
8 months ago
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.
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Jo Wolfe, PhD
9 months ago
Tardigrade won
#invertebrate
of the year! 😍 Probably the best news we'll see all day, and see below for a lovely quote 🧪
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It’s heroic, hardy and less than a millimetre long: meet the 2025 invertebrate of the year | Patrick Barkham
Guardian readers around the world voted in the this year’s contest, but which creature won, asks natural history writer Patrick Barkham
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/07/guardian-invertebrate-of-the-year-2025-natural-history
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Insect Welfare Research Society
Dr Jess Stokes
9 months ago
🚨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
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RES Great Welfare Survey 2025 - Royal Entomological Society
Insect Research Practices and Ethics in the UK Share Your Experience on Ethics Applications Are you a researcher working with insects? We need your insights! The Royal Entomological Society is conduct...
https://www.royensoc.co.uk/news/res-welfare-survey-2025/
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The Bee Guy
9 months ago
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
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Insect Welfare Research Society
Dr Jess Stokes
10 months ago
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
add a skeleton here at some point
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Insect Welfare Research Society
The Bee Guy
10 months ago
#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
🌍🐝
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Dave Brice
11 months ago
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
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