Which entomological organisation?

MattPrince · #1 (**permalink**) 11-11-2011, 04:37 PM

I've been into invertebrates for a couple of years now, and have finally bought a microscope, so I was wondering whether I should be joining an Entomological organisation.

There seems to be a surprising choice, including the local branch of the Devonshire Association, and all the specialist groups such as the dipterists forum and British Arachnology Society, both of which I already belong to.

The 'big' three entomological groups - as far as I'm aware, would appear to be:-

AES - Amateur Entomological Society
BENHS - British Entomological and Natural History Society
RES - Royal Entomological Society

All offering different benefits and options no doubt.

I was just wondering if forumnites had experience or recommendations they would like to share.

As a total beginner the AES sound like they would be the best fit - though the RES people I've just dealt with RE a bristletail request have been very helpful.

Cheers,
Matt

Paul mabbott · #2 (**permalink**) 11-11-2011, 04:56 PM

First question(s) - what are your interests, what do you see, what is a good starting point?
All of the organisations that you mention (and many others) are very good in their field - but you need to be sure that you want to be in that field! I always recommend joining your local natural history society if you have one (sorry, don't know your area). You will there find either people who share your interest and will be pleased to to help you out. Local societies commonly organise field trips where you'll meet a mixture of people with various expertise (or none) who dac give tips. Ultimately there will be someone who can point you in the direction of national organisations ...

Of the national irganisaltions; RESL is the scientific and professional organisation which produces much in the way of keys &c but it doesn't get involved in local field activity; AES is more for the enthusiast rather than the professional (as the name implies) but does mainly deal with Lepidoptera; BENHS is (to my view!) the happy mixture of field and scientific work .... but in many cases, as mentioned above, local societies/field clubs will offer you more field experience.

Good luck, have fun!

MattPrince · #3 (**permalink**) 11-11-2011, 06:10 PM

Thanks Paul for an interesting overview of the differences.

My natural interest (?obsession?) is very diverse, and I've been fortunate to get involved with many of the local groups here in Devon - birders first, then butterflies, moth'rs, d'fliers, mycologists, lichenologists and bryologists and some excellent general naturalists. So getting out in the field isn't a problem - more often than not it's which field that is the issue!

I guess my current entomological leaning is towards the arachnids - though I enjoy diptera and coleoptera.

Geoff F · #4 (**permalink**) 11-11-2011, 06:20 PM

I do belong to that Devonshire Association and their Entomological Section, Matt.

How much use it would be for you may depend on where you are in this 'vast county' and whether you are willing to travel a few miles to events. I'm in the extreme south so I find most of their events are at least 50 miles away from me. Although it would be different if living reasonably close to the Exeter area.

The Entomology Section usually have 10 or 12 events a year although much of it is moth trapping which may or may not be of interest. I find the talks at Kingskerswell are a bit closer for me and prove interesting.

Some of the people involved are recognised experts in their particular field and, as they tend to be some of the specialists which are used in checking/identifying photo records for the County Recorder, it is always good to 'put faces to names'.

Initially, I was a bit reluctant to join as many of them are 'university types' which is well away from my background. But I haven't found any trace of 'intellectual stuffiness' from anyone.

The Entomological Section AGM is at Crediton in January.

Looking at the other 'internet available' societies, I must admit that I have found some of them to be a little 'offputting' at first appearance so, as yet, haven't joined any myself.

Although I do keep full records for the Hoverfly Recording Scheme and send in occasional sightings to a number of other schemes including the Devon Recorder.

So I would also be interested in finding out more about other associations that aren't too 'starchy' about having 'working class members'.

However, I do find this WAB site meets most of my needs.

eucera · #5 (**permalink**) 12-11-2011, 08:55 AM

If you have particular (rather than general) interests, then it would be well worth looking at the National Recording Schemes & Societies.

The Spider Recording Scheme (Spider Recording Scheme)
BWARS (BWARS Home Page)
Dipterists Forum (The Society for the study of flies (Diptera))
Hoverfly Recording Scheme (Hoverfly Recording Scheme - Index)
British Dragonfly Society (british-dragonflies.org.uk | Working to conserve dragonflies and their wetland habitats)
Ladybird Survey (UK Ladybird Survey - Recording)
etc.... etc... Biological Records Centre - Recording Schemes

At BWARS, we like to provide a meeting ground for anyone, from any background with a shared passion for hymenoptera. A lack of knowledge is not a problem, as many (if not most) members with expertise are more than happy to share their experiences.

Paul mabbott · #6 (**permalink**) 12-11-2011, 11:12 AM

Yes, if you're interested in specific groups then go for the specialist organisations which won't necessarily have a club or society. Being mainly interested in beetles, I subscribe to The Coleopterist, get lots of information on The Coleopterist (free) and, if I need to discuss, go to beetles-britishisles : Beetles of the British Isles
Between them these give me all the access I need to coleopterists in UK and beyond.
One thing to be aware of when joining these specialised groups is that they are run by people dedicated to their topic - they are not social groups and off-topic material is not appreciated.