what does the entomologist do in winter? (1 Viewer)

[matt green]

greetings all,lately i've been developing a deeper interest in insects[formerly only interested in birds] and wondering what types of insect will be around in the winter months.at present there are limitless volunteers available for study but now we are coming up to winter will i have to pack up my lenses,microscope etc for next year? hope not. matt

there are no sheds on the surface of the moon but if there was
it would lean slightly,and have at least one spider in the corner
[shed facts]

 

[Jay23]

Winter Entomology!

As a keen amateur entomologist for the last 30 -odd years I always used to get pretty depressed about now, knowing that it was going to be a six month wait before the insects really get going again, yes I know there are some 'fascinating' midges etc about in the depths of winter and all sorts of very worthwhile jobs like cleaning out breeding cages and reviewing notes but they're hardly stimulating.
Then I discovered birds and low and behold ! The two interests seem to dovetail perfectly, busy times for birding = quiet times for entomology. Fantastic! Only problem is, the birding has taken over !


Chris

 

[Gerry Hooper]

What do entomologsts do in the Winter?

They metamorphisise into mentolgooists.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Creep into dark corners and lurk til warmer spring days can lure them out again

 

[harry eales]

greetings all,lately i've been developing a deeper interest in insects[formerly only interested in birds] and wondering what types of insect will be around in the winter months.at present there are limitless volunteers available for study but now we are coming up to winter will i have to pack up my lenses,microscope etc for next year? hope not. matt

there are no sheds on the surface of the moon but if there was
it would lean slightly,and have at least one spider in the corner
[shed facts]

Hello Matt,

There isn't an 'off season' for entomologists, I would agree it is a quieter time but there is lots to be done, it just depends how involved in the subject you are, and to what depth. There are moths on the wing every night of the year including the winter months although the number of species is much reduced. There are also other insect species out that cannot be found in the warmer months.

If you breed insects, then all the cages will need to be sterilised, new sleeves to make up, pupae to attend to. Pupae digging is relaxing of a sunny winters day. There are notes to be written up on the computer and records to be sent to your County Recorder. Next years entomological excursions to be planned. If you have made any useful observations, then perhaps a paper or two to be written for one of the entomological magazines.

There are searches to be done on the WWW for new publications and a daily look on Ebay to find books you want, but haven't managed to find.

All in all, there's enough to keep you busy if you have a mind to apply yourself.

Personally I find I haven't much free time in winter and I'm retired. Even my female friend complains she isn't getting the attention she thinks she deserves. lol. In retrospect, I often wonder how I found time to go to work, before I retired.

Harry

 

[matt green]

thanks for the advice harry,looks like i'll barely have enough time for birding this winter!

ooo,iysoroneovertherebor [ancient norfolk dialect]

 

[Jos Stratford]

There are moths on the wing every night of the year including the winter months although the number of species is much reduced. There are also other insect species out that cannot be found in the warmer months.

Not being an entomologist, I'm making an assumption, but I guess you refer to the UK environment. Would there regulary be winter insects out here in the winter months when the temp is minus ten or twenty or even thirty! The reason I ask is as I occasionally see insects flying in the winter and I remember one nice sunny day last winter (not far off spring) when I rounded a corner to a whole 'flock' of flying insects - though it was about minus eight or so, there was a hint of warmth in the sun and, though I was surprised to see them, I assumed it was the sun that had tempted them out.

Any idea on the lowest temperature that any particular insects can remain active or live out a life cycle?

 

[harry eales]

Not being an entomologist, I'm making an assumption, but I guess you refer to the UK environment. Would there regulary be winter insects out here in the winter months when the temp is minus ten or twenty or even thirty! The reason I ask is as I occasionally see insects flying in the winter and I remember one nice sunny day last winter (not far off spring) when I rounded a corner to a whole 'flock' of flying insects - though it was about minus eight or so, there was a hint of warmth in the sun and, though I was surprised to see them, I assumed it was the sun that had tempted them out.

Any idea on the lowest temperature that any particular insects can remain active or live out a life cycle?

Hello Jos,
If you saw insects flying on a winters day it wasn't the warmth of the day that tempted them out. They were flying because it was the right time of year for them to fly.

I have seen male Winter Moths flying when there has been a 'Haw' frost and all the trees an shrubs were covered in a thick coating of frost. Many of the females of these winter moths are wingless and have to be beaten from the branches of shrubs etc.

As I said in my previous post there are moths in Britain that do fly in winter, but we seldom get temperatures below -10. What will fly in lithuania at -20 or lower I can't guess, but your local textbooks should tell you.

Harry

 

[birdeast]

They move to Singapore and enjoy yearound summer

 

[Brian Stone]

I knit! :scribe:

 

[harry eales]

I knit! :scribe:

Willy Warmers I presume.

Harry

 

[David Nicholson]

GROAN- BAD JOKE ALERT !!!!!!!

First amateur entomologist: Where do all the bugs go in winter?
Second amateur entomologist: Search me.
First amateur entomologist: No thanks, I only wanted to know.

Well I did warn you - apologies.


David

 

[Surreybirder]

GROAN- BAD JOKE ALERT !!!!!!!

First amateur entomologist: Where do all the bugs go in winter?
Second amateur entomologist: Search me.
First amateur entomologist: No thanks, I only wanted to know.

Well I did warn you - apologies.


David

Well it's true, you could study headlice, fleas, bedbugs, deathwatch beetles, clothes moths and the like.... if you really want to.

 

[Brian Stone]

Willy Warmers I presume.

Have you seen the price of wool? I'm not made of money! :'D

 

[harry eales]

Have you seen the price of wool? I'm not made of money! :'D

Hello Brian, You wouldn't be bragging now would you?

Harry