Plant pests and other garden wildlife - introduction

The Entomology Section specialises in the fauna found in gardens, carrying out research and providing advice. Research projects include investigating biodiversity (wildlife) in gardens and the biology and distribution of invasive non-native plant pests. This research enables RHS entomologists to provide accurate and up-to-date advice on pests and wildlife in UK gardens. Results from research are published in the scientific journals and garden magazines.

Find out about the research projects

The Entomology Section provides advice on animal related matters to RHS members and staff, and to the wider public via the RHS website and other publications.

Gardening advice

The RHS has employed full-time specialist researchers and advisors on garden pests and other animal-related issues since 1918, providing advice to RHS members, staff and the public. Currently the Entomology Section consists of two entomologists, a Knowledge Transfer Partnership post, a research assistant and a volunteer. Between them they answer about 3000 enquiries from members each year and conduct a programme of research.

Many of the enquiries are about plant pests, others include wildlife gardening and identification of interesting insects and other animals found in gardens, greenhouses and homes.

The entomologists also respond to requests from the media and fellow scientists.

In addition to the advisory work delivered from Wisley, the entomologists also man the RHS advisory stand at the Chelsea and Hampton Court Palace flower shows.

Articles on pests and garden wildlife are regularly produced for The Garden magazine, the gardening advice pages on the RHS website and the Wild About Gardens website.

Research work is also published in peer reviewed journals, as are records of pests new to Britain, which are sometimes first detected as a result of enquiries sent to the RHS Members’ Advisory Service. Suspected first records are always reported to the The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera).

List of recent publications