Grasshoppers & Crickets Workshop 2013

Event description

The chirruping of grasshoppers & crickets are a familiar sound on warm summer days but how many of us can tell the species apart. What distinguishes a Wood Cricket from a Long-winged Cone-head or a Cepero's Ground-hopper from a Slender Ground-hopper? Find out during this one-day workshop which provides an introduction to the Orthoptera of Hampshire and their identification.

The day is suitable for anyone aged 18 and over and will include various talks and demonstrations by the leaders using photographic slides, video microscopes and a large variety of museum specimens. However, the emphasis for the day is very much on participants having a go themselves at identifying actual specimens using the microscopes and identification keys provided.

During the afternoon session (weather permitting), we will search the grounds of Chilcomb House to demonstrate the fieldwork techniques used to find and record species in their natural habitat.

Leaders:

Bryan Pinchen (Consultant Entomologist) and author of A Pocket Guide to the Bumblebees of Britain and Ireland , A Pocket Guide to the Ladybirds of Britain and Ireland , A Pocket Guide to the Shieldbugs and Leatherbugs of Britain and Ireland & A Pocket Guide to the Grasshoppers, Crickets and Allied Insects of Britain and Ireland

Christine Taylor, Keeper of Natural Sciences (Hampshire County Council Arts & Museums Service)

Prior booking essential (numbers limited to 20)

Cost: £15