Entomology section
The Entomology section in the laboratory building at Wisley provides advice on animal related matters to RHS members and staff. The section also carries out research into invasive non-native pests and biodiversity (wildlife) in gardens.
From left to right Dr Andrew Salisbury – Entomologist, Ian Waghorn – Research assistant (shared with Plant Pathology), Maureen Wilson – Volunteer, Andrew Halstead – Principal Entomologist
Advice
The RHS has had a full-time specialist advisor on garden pests and other animal related issues since 1918, providing advice to RHS members, staff and the public. Today the Entomology section answers over 3500 RHS members’ enquiries each year, by phone, e-mail and letter. Although strictly speaking entomology is the study of insects, the Entomology section responds to all animal-based enquiries, from nematodes to mammals. While many of the enquiries are to do with plant pests, wildlife gardening and identification of interesting insects and other animals found in the garden and home are also frequent enquiries.
Find out more about the RHS advisory service
If you are not a member you will find a wide range of gardening advice, including animal related problems, in the gardening advice pages
Occasionally samples sent to Wisley contain pests that are the first report of a new pest in Britain. In this case the Entomology section reports these ‘new’ pests to the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate and the Central Science Laboratory
In addition to the advisory work delivered from Wisley, the entomologists also help to man the RHS advisory stands at the Chelsea and Hampton Court Palace flower shows
The Entomology section also writes articles on pests and garden wildlife for The Garden magazine and the gardening advice pages on the RHS website.
Top 10 pest enquiries in 2006 and 2007
Each year the Entomology section analyses the enquiries it has received and calculates the most frequent enquiries. Click here for the top 10 for 2006 and 2007 .
Research: Invasive plant pests
Current plant pest research concentrates on investigating the biology of invasive non-native species.
Recent research interests include:
Red lily beetle (Lilioceris lilii). A PhD project investigating the beetle’s economic importance, host range and chemical ecology was recently completed.
Rosemary beetle (Chrysolina americana). Investigations into its host range, biology and distribution since its establishment in the UK.
Berberis sawfly (Arge berberidis). First reported in the UK in 2002. The spread of this species in the UK is being monitored and information gathered on its host plant preferences in Berberis and Mahonia species and hybrids.
Hemerocallis gall midge (Contarinia quinquenotata). The susceptibility of Hemerocallis cultivars to this pest, which destroys flower buds was studied, resulting in the production of a new advisory information. The UK distribution of this pest since its detection in 1989 continues to be monitored.
Have you seen these pests in a garden? Follow the links above and report a sighting and help the entomologists with their research.
These research projects enable the RHS entomologists to provide accurate and up to date advice on new pest problems in the UK. Results from research are reported in the scientific and garden literature.
Research: Biodiversity (wildlife)
There is growing interest in encouraging wildlife, wildflowers and naturalistic design in gardens. The Entomology staff and those from other RHS departments are involved in monitoring biodiversity at RHS gardens and promoting wildlife friendly gardening.
The Entomology section maintains the Society’s copy of Recorder software. This software is designed to hold records of native and naturalised fauna and flora. There are currently over 27,000 records, consisting of more than 2000 individual species on the database. Some records date back to 1909, from a survey of native plants at Wisley. Today the database contains records from all four RHS gardens.
The RHS also contributes to a long term monitoring programme of the moths in Britain known as the Rothamsted moth survey . The department has run a Rothamsted light trap in Wisley Garden since 1972 . To date over 300 species of larger moth have been recorded in the trap. The moths are identified and the data recorded by the Entomology volunteer (Maureen Wilson).
River Wey Embankment Project
Biodiversity at the RHS
Other activities
- The Entomology section provides training for RHS students (trainee gardeners), both informally and as part of the theory sections of the Wisley Diploma in Practical Horticulture.
- The section maintains the Society’s insect reference collection, which contains over 20,000 insect specimens. The collection has been built up over 100 years and primarily contains representatives of insects found in the UK. The collection is used as an identification aid and contains voucher specimens of insects recorded in RHS gardens.
- Throughout the year the Entomologists are involved in events at Wisley, including talks and demonstrations, on pests, their control and wildlife gardening.
- The section also participates in national events such as National Insect Week and National Science and Engineering Week.
- A full list of RHS events can be found on the RHS event finder
Entomology links
Interested in insects? The following organisations champion the study and conservation of insects
Recent articles written by the Entomology section
Click here for a list of recent articles by the Entomology section
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