Ashleigh Whiffin: Sorry to bug you... but we need to talk about insects!

Name: Ashleigh Whiffin: Sorry to bug you... but we need to talk about insects!
Start: 2026-07-01T17:30:00+01:00
Location: The Banshee Labyrinth

Schedule

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026 at 05:30 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

The Banshee Labyrinth | Edinburgh, SC

Ashleigh Whiffin: Sorry to bug you... but we need to talk about insects!
Ever wondered what it's like to be a professional bug hunter? Ashleigh Whiffin is an Edinburgh based entomologist and Curator of Entomology at National Museums Scotland. She works with a collection of over 2 million insect specimens, used for vital biodiversity research and education. Insect populations are experiencing severe declines, with flying insect abundance in the UK dropping by roughly 60% in the last 20 years. Insects are essential to life on earth, yet many of then have a bit of a PR problem. The first step in helping to reverse this worrying trajectory is to get people to care, and that's Ashleigh's mission.
Ashleigh is a keen science communicator, passionate about promoting the weird and wonderful world entomology and the value of collections. She primarily shares her love for insects via social media, but has also featured on BBC Winterwatch, Gardeners World and the One Show.
This event is free to attend, although we will be asking for donations at the end of the talk. Participants are under no obligation whatsoever to donate, however please rest assured that the money we collect doesn't end up in anyone's pocket - it is used to fund our overhead costs, and travel/accommodation for our speakers who come from further afield.�Please note there are some steps in the venue so if you have motor difficulties, please let us know and we may be able to make other arrangements.