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Meet our Assistant Curator of Entomology @AshWhiffin - Ashleigh’s has been with the museum for 5 years and works with our collection of 2.5 million insects!
From now until 5 you can ASK ASHLEIGH ANYTHING
From now until 5 you can ASK ASHLEIGH ANYTHING
I discovered my passion for insects at university. I was studying forensic science @derbyuni & became fascinated with how insects can be used to solve crimes. #ForensicEntomology
Q: How did you become an entomologist?
A: (2/4) I started conducting research in this area and trying to learn as much about entomology as I could…
A: (2/4) I started conducting research in this area and trying to learn as much about entomology as I could…
Q: How did you become an entomologist?
A: (3/4) This led me to study for a Masters degree in #Entomology @HarperAdamsUni. I diversified a bit and studied ladybirds for my thesis, thanks to @EntoProf!
A: (3/4) This led me to study for a Masters degree in #Entomology @HarperAdamsUni. I diversified a bit and studied ladybirds for my thesis, thanks to @EntoProf!
Q: How did you become an entomologist?
A: (4/4) After this I volunteered at the @NHM_London, sorting through & identifying trap material collected in the wildlife garden. You could say this is where I caught the museum bug!
A: (4/4) After this I volunteered at the @NHM_London, sorting through & identifying trap material collected in the wildlife garden. You could say this is where I caught the museum bug!
Q: How are you working from home?
A: This is my #WorkingFromHome setup. Key items are my laptop and microscope. At the moment I’m working on a collaborative publication on #CarrionBeetles…
A: This is my #WorkingFromHome setup. Key items are my laptop and microscope. At the moment I’m working on a collaborative publication on #CarrionBeetles…
Q: How are your working from home?
A: (2/3) These are beetles in the family Silphidae; most of which feed on carrion (dead vertebrate animals). They play a vital role in decomposition and are part of natures recycling team. #AmazingBeetles
A: (2/3) These are beetles in the family Silphidae; most of which feed on carrion (dead vertebrate animals). They play a vital role in decomposition and are part of natures recycling team. #AmazingBeetles
Q: How are you working from home?
A: (3/3) Last week I took some images for the book and this week I’m working on the text. I also have several documentation projects and some specimens to identify. Lots to keep me busy!
A: (3/3) Last week I took some images for the book and this week I’m working on the text. I also have several documentation projects and some specimens to identify. Lots to keep me busy!
Q: What's on your bookshelf?
A: At the museum we have an extensive library of entomological books, but at home I must make do with my small collection. I’ve curated them of course; antique books vs contemporary/frequently used. #ShowUsYourShelves
A: At the museum we have an extensive library of entomological books, but at home I must make do with my small collection. I’ve curated them of course; antique books vs contemporary/frequently used. #ShowUsYourShelves
Q: What does a normal day in the life of an Entomologist look like?
A: (1/2) A regular day for me would be at the collection centre; facilitating access to the collection for volunteers, researchers, students & amateur entomologists; dealing with loans, enquiries & curation.
A: (1/2) A regular day for me would be at the collection centre; facilitating access to the collection for volunteers, researchers, students & amateur entomologists; dealing with loans, enquiries & curation.
Q: What does a normal day in the life of an Entomologist look like?
A: (2/2) Sometimes I conduct #fieldwork and collect new specimens for the collection. These are then prepared, labelled and identified; which could may involve many hours at the microscope.
A: (2/2) Sometimes I conduct #fieldwork and collect new specimens for the collection. These are then prepared, labelled and identified; which could may involve many hours at the microscope.
Q: Any advice you’d give an aspiring Entomologist?
A: Keep pursuing your interest! The world needs more entomologists! My top tips would be:
Develop your identification skills
(1/2)
A: Keep pursuing your interest! The world needs more entomologists! My top tips would be:
Develop your identification skills
(1/2)
Q: Any advice you’d give an aspiring Entomologist?
A: (2/2)
Get involved with your local natural history society
Talk to as many entomologists as you can (we want to help you)
A: (2/2)
Get involved with your local natural history society
Talk to as many entomologists as you can (we want to help you)
Q: Is there anything specifically about the NMS collections that first attracted you to working here?
A: The history & diversity of the collections
The team of expert entomologists
Opportunity for international collaboration
A: The history & diversity of the collections
The team of expert entomologists
Opportunity for international collaboration
At this difficult time you can still get involved with entomology. Insects exist almost everywhere; so finding, identifying and recording them can be done from the comfort of your own garden, balcony or even window box! https://www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/discover-insects
There are so many great places to go for information about British insects, here’s a few to get you started:
https://butterfly-conservation.org
https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org
https://www.coleoptera.org.uk
https://butterfly-conservation.org https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org https://www.coleoptera.org.uk
There are lots of resources and family friendly activities available on the @insectweek web page: https://www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/learning-resources
You can find out more about some of the work I've been involved with developing a natural history gallery for children here: https://www.nms.ac.uk/support-us/adventure-planet/
You can find out more about some of the work I've been involved with developing a natural history gallery for children here: https://www.nms.ac.uk/support-us/adventure-planet/
