Event: Free Invertebrate Research Webinars (Sep-Oct 2026)

The entoLIVE webinar programme shines a spotlight on invertebrate science.

Check out the latest entomological research in our free webinars. Booking essential.

2026 Programme: September to October 2026

• 17 Sep 2026 The Search for German Hairy Snails
• 24 Sep 2026 Discoveries After Dark: How Insects Connect Us to Nature
• 06 Oct 2026 Unwelcome Guests: How Insect Pests are Impacting Britain’s Forests
• 20 Oct 2026 Tardigrades: The Microscopic Animals with Survival Superpowers

17 Sep 2026 The Search for German Hairy Snails

This presentation will share an overview of the Great German Hairy Snail Survey, a collaborative project between Citizen Zoo and the Conchological Society of Britain and Ireland, which is leading the first ever large-scale structured survey for this rare mollusc across London. We’ll explore how the species is faring in the capital, what we’ve learned from the survey, and the recommendations we’re putting forward for its conservation. You’ll be introduced to this fascinating snail, hear how you can get involved in future work, and discover yet another example of the remarkable creatures living in London.

Elliot Newton is Director of Rewilding and co-founder of Citizen Zoo, an urban rewilding organisation that believes cities can be alive with wildlife. Citizen Zoo empowers communities to get involved with an array of urban rewilding projects, working with species such as Beavers, Water Voles, White Storks and, of course, German Hairy Snails! These projects raise expectations of what urban and semi-urban places can become, reconnect people with nature on their doorstep and give ecosystems space to thrive alongside everyday life.

24 Sep 2026 Discoveries After Dark: How Insects Connect Us to Nature

Although the benefits of connecting with nature during daylight hours are well established, comparatively little is known about the psychological and behavioural outcomes of engaging with the natural world after dark. This talk presents a series of innovative studies that examine how nighttime nature experiences – focusing on moths, crane flies, and other invertebrates – may enhance connection to nature and the night sky, promote conservation-oriented behaviour, and support well-being. The research was conducted in collaboration with partners at Buglife and the Environmental Education Project at Rosliston Forestry Centre.

Participants were invited to take part in one of three nighttime events: Curious Crane Flies involved constructing environmentally friendly light traps to illuminate the often-overlooked beauty of crane flies; Buglife Safari used guided torchlight exploration to reveal the hidden lives of nocturnal invertebrates; and Nightwatch offered a broader range of evening activities – including bat walks, stargazing, and moth discovery sessions – designed to celebrate the wonders of nature after dark.

Across these studies, our findings indicate that relatively simple nighttime encounters can evoke curiosity, strengthen participants’ sense of connection with the natural world, enhance wellbeing and motivate greater engagement in its protection.

Dr Chris Barnes is a Chartered Psychologist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and Senior Lecturer at the University of Derby. He is also a dark and quiet skies advocate, amateur astronomer, and member of the Nature Connectedness Research Group. Dr Barnes has published extensively in the field of nature connectedness and has a specialist interest in light pollution, and connection to the natural world at night.

06 Oct 2026 Unwelcome Guests: How Insect Pests are Impacting Britain’s Forests

Climate change and global trade are driving rising threats to British forests from insect pests, with impacts ranging from reduced timber yields to losses in biodiversity and carbon storage. Drawing on a comprehensive assessment of 56 pest species, this presentation highlights the origins, impacts, and management of both native and non-native pests, identifies tree genera most at risk, and examines the role of trade, climate, and management in shaping outcomes. This talk will highlight several high-impact pests, including large pine weevil and bark beetles and advocate for a systems-level Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to strengthen forest resilience and anticipate future threats.

Katy Dainton is a Research Entomologist at Forest Research where she develops Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tools and strategies for forest pests. This includes designing monitoring techniques, advancing non-chemical controls, managing the Rhizophagus grandis breeding programme, and providing specialist advice on tree health in northern Britain. She joined Forest Research in 2015 after completing an MSc in IPM, following earlier work with Natural England and a career in the arts and heritage sector.

20 Oct 2026 Tardigrades: The Microscopic Animals with Survival Superpowers

Tardigrades, often called water bears, are microscopic, eight-legged animals famous for their almost superpower-like ability to survive extreme conditions. They can endure complete desiccation, freezing temperatures, and even massive doses of radiation. Most commonly found in mosses and lichens, tardigrades actually inhabit a wide range of environments, across both terrestrial and marine habitats. In this talk, Witold Morek will explore how these remarkable survival abilities evolved and reveal the genetic secrets behind them.

Witold Morek is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, investigating the genomics of tardigrades. Currently his work concentrates on identifying the genetic basis of tardigrades' extraordinary resistance to environmental stress, such as dehydration and freezing. He is also interested in the diversity of tardigrades (systematics and taxonomy), including new species descriptions, but also how this biodiversity is distributed on our planet (biogeography) and relationships between different tardigrade lineages (phylogeny).