What’s coming up in entoLIVE 2026

entoLIVE Webinars

At BENHS we are proud to sponsor entoLIVE, a series of free-to-attend webinars about invertebrates hosted by the Biological Recording Company. Each webinar features a 40-minute presentation from an invertebrate scientist, as well as a Q&A with the live audience. Webinars are hosted on Zoom and can be booked via the Biological Recording Company’s Eventbrite. Check out the remaining entoLIVE webinars of 2026 below:

 

The Search for German Hairy Snails
Thu 17 Sep 2026 | Elliot Newton | Citizen Zoo

This presentation will share an overview of the Great German Hairy Snail Survey, a collaborative project between Citizen Zoo and the Conchological Society of Britain and Ireland, which is leading the first ever large-scale structured survey for this rare mollusc across London. We’ll explore how the species is faring in the capital, what we’ve learned from the survey, and the recommendations we’re putting forward for its conservation. You’ll be introduced to this fascinating snail, hear how you can get involved in future work, and discover yet another example of the remarkable creatures living in London.

More info and booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1977367798314

 

Discoveries After Dark: How Insects Connect Us to Nature
Thu 24 Sep 2026 | Dr Christoher Barnes | University of Derby

Although the benefits of connecting with nature during daylight hours are well established, comparatively little is known about the psychological and behavioural outcomes of engaging with the natural world after dark. This talk presents a series of innovative studies that examine how nighttime nature experiences – focusing on moths, crane flies, and other invertebrates – may enhance connection to nature and the night sky, promote conservation-oriented behaviour, and support well-being. The research was conducted in collaboration with partners at BugLife and the Environmental Education Project at Rosliston Forestry Centre.

Participants were invited to take part in one of three nighttime events: Curious Crane Flies involved constructing environmentally friendly light traps to illuminate the often-overlooked beauty of crane flies; BugLife Safari used guided torchlight exploration to reveal the hidden lives of nocturnal invertebrates; and Nightwatch offered a broader range of evening activities – including bat walks, stargazing, and moth discovery sessions – designed to celebrate the wonders of nature after dark.

Across these studies, our findings indicate that relatively simple nighttime encounters can evoke curiosity, strengthen participants’ sense of connection with the natural world, enhance wellbeing and motivate greater engagement in its protection.

More info and booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1977877509875

 

Unwelcome Guests: How Insect Pests are Impacting Britain’s Forests
Tue 06 Oct 2026 | Katy Dainton | Forest Research

Climate change and global trade are driving rising threats to British forests from insect pests, with impacts ranging from reduced timber yields to losses in biodiversity and carbon storage. Drawing on a comprehensive assessment of 56 pest species, this presentation highlights the origins, impacts, and management of both native and non-native pests, identifies tree genera most at risk, and examines the role of trade, climate, and management in shaping outcomes. Katy Dainton (Forest Research) will highlight several high-impact pests, including large pine weevil and bark beetles and advocate for a systems-level Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to strengthen forest resilience and anticipate future threats.

More info and booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1915440176129

 

Tardigrades: The Microscopic Animals with Survival Superpowers
Tue 20 Oct 2026 | Witold Morek | Wellcome Sanger Institute

Tardigrades, often called water bears, are microscopic, eight-legged animals famous for their almost superpower-like ability to survive extreme conditions. They can endure complete desiccation, freezing temperatures, and even massive doses of radiation. Most commonly found in mosses and lichens, tardigrades actually inhabit a wide range of environments, across both terrestrial and marine habitats. In this talk, Witold Morek will explore how these remarkable survival abilities evolved and reveal the genetic secrets behind them.

More info and booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1978418044629

 

Is There Such a Thing as “Flying Ant Day”? Nuptial Flights and Citizen Science
Wed 4 Nov 2026 | Professor Adam Hart | University of Gloucestershire

Every summer the UK media abounds with “flying ant day” stories. But is there really such a thing as a single “flying ant day”? How coordinated are these ant mating flights across the country? Which species are involved? What conditions lead to them? In this presentation, find out how these questions were answered with the help of thousands of citizen scientists across the UK.

More info and booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1979869571184

 

Does Woodland Restoration Benefit Moths?
Tue 10 Nov 2026 | Patrick Cook | Butterfly Conservation

Across the UK, a growing number of projects are expanding native woodlands in upland areas using natural tree regeneration. Perhaps the best known example of this is currently underway on the Mar Lodge Estate in the Cairngorms National Park. In this talk, Patrick will explore how moth communities have responded to this ongoing woodland expansion project, and comment more broadly on the benefits of woodland restoration for Lepidoptera diversity.

More info and booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1978821238593

 

Can Green Roofs Function as True Ecosystems?
Wed 25 Nov 2026 | Eva Drukker | Wagenigen University & Research

Green roofs, exposed to wind, heat, and drought, might seem like unlikely places for ecological development. But can they become self-sustaining ecosystems? How do they interact with the surrounding flora and fauna? How quickly do they develop, and which insects choose to live there? Crucially, which design choices make these elevated habitats most supportive for biodiversity?

Over the past six years, Eva Drukker has explored these questions through literature review and intensive fieldwork across 10,000 m² of green roofs – catching and identifying insects, analysing soils, and monitoring plant communities. In this presentation, I will share what these studies reveal about how green roofs function, how life assembles on them, and how thoughtful design can turn them into thriving urban ecosystems.

More info and booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1977870244143

 

In Search of the Elusive Freshwater Jellyfish
Tue 15 Dec 2026 | John Terenzini | University of Plymouth

The freshwater jellyfish, Craspedacusta sowerbii, was first described in London by British zoologist Ray Lankester in 1880. In the 145 years since it was described, there have been only a few reports of this unique species in the United Kingdom. This presentation summarises research from the University of Plymouth investigating the presence and distribution of C. sowerbii across the UK using citizen science. C. sowerbii is a small jellyfish that typically appears sporadically in the summer months in warm, still water, so can be difficult to spot. Learning more about this species in the UK will help to fill in gaps in global distribution and potentially assist in discovering more about the genetic lineages of this widespread species.

More info and booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1986306461095