Insect Identification

Tuesday 16th August 2022

Today I went into Hampton Court for a one day Field Studies Council course (free!) on identifying insects to Order level. I took some of my sample pots with me and got there early so that I could explain what was doing to the instructor. He was very interested in it and we handed out 3 of my sample pots to other people on the course and got going! It involves a lot of use of a microscope, a very thin pair of tweezers and an identification book. And it took ages!! A great course that I and highly recommend and I was so pleased to go on it. But it amplified my concern about my dissertation - I am never going to get all the samples down to Family level if it takes this long to get 4 jars to Order level. There are specialists who dedicate their lives to this - and I am not one of those (nor do I want to be). I need to get hold of my tutors and go through this asap!