The Rothamsted Insect Survey
Lead Research Organisation:
Rothamsted Research
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
The Rothamsted Insect Survey comprises 2 national trap networks which provide the most extensive long-term standardised data on terrestrial invertebrates in the world. It has 3 major components:
1) trap networks
2) the sample archive
3) the database
The data are used in a wide range of fundamental and applied studies and have led to numerous high impact and high profile publications. The networks comprise 11 suction traps and 83 light traps. Suction traps are emptied weekly in winter but daily at other times. Samples are sent to Rothamsted where aphids are identified to species, species group or genus. Light traps are emptied daily throughout the year and all the macrolepidoptera identified. Samples from 64 of the sites are processed by trap operators or amateurs with proven taxonomic skills. Identification of samples from the remaining traps is outsourced. A SQL database for the data from both trap networks is being developed and will facilitate easier access to the data for ourselves and external users.
Data is being made available for use in fundamental and applied projects to, for example:
-observe, model and predict population dynamics in relation to environmental factors
-observe and model population genetics and predict the spread of genotypes in relation to environmental and management factors
-understand the roles that migration and dispersal play in the population dynamics of economically-important pest insects and their natural enemies
-provide data to test ecological hypotheses
-detect insecticide resistance mechanisms and predict their geographical spread
-understand the epidemiology of insect-borne plant, animal and human viruses
-provide information of immediate benefit to crop growers in relation to pest management
-examine changes in biodiversity over long time periods and large areas
-understand and predict the impacts of climatic and other environmental changes on the above.
In 2014 the Rothamsted Insect Survey commemorates 50 years of continuous operation.
1) trap networks
2) the sample archive
3) the database
The data are used in a wide range of fundamental and applied studies and have led to numerous high impact and high profile publications. The networks comprise 11 suction traps and 83 light traps. Suction traps are emptied weekly in winter but daily at other times. Samples are sent to Rothamsted where aphids are identified to species, species group or genus. Light traps are emptied daily throughout the year and all the macrolepidoptera identified. Samples from 64 of the sites are processed by trap operators or amateurs with proven taxonomic skills. Identification of samples from the remaining traps is outsourced. A SQL database for the data from both trap networks is being developed and will facilitate easier access to the data for ourselves and external users.
Data is being made available for use in fundamental and applied projects to, for example:
-observe, model and predict population dynamics in relation to environmental factors
-observe and model population genetics and predict the spread of genotypes in relation to environmental and management factors
-understand the roles that migration and dispersal play in the population dynamics of economically-important pest insects and their natural enemies
-provide data to test ecological hypotheses
-detect insecticide resistance mechanisms and predict their geographical spread
-understand the epidemiology of insect-borne plant, animal and human viruses
-provide information of immediate benefit to crop growers in relation to pest management
-examine changes in biodiversity over long time periods and large areas
-understand and predict the impacts of climatic and other environmental changes on the above.
In 2014 the Rothamsted Insect Survey commemorates 50 years of continuous operation.
Planned Impact
unavailable
Organisations
- Rothamsted Research (Lead Research Organisation)
- Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (Collaboration)
- University of Valencia (Collaboration)
- MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF READING (Collaboration)
- University College Oxford (Collaboration)
- University of Connecticut (Collaboration)
Publications
Bell J
(2011)
The trait and host plant ecology of aphids and their distribution and abundance in the United Kingdom
in Global Ecology and Biogeography
Harrington R
(2012)
The Rothamsted Insect Survey: old traps, new tricks
in Aspects of Applied Biology
Züst T
(2012)
Natural enemies drive geographic variation in plant defenses.
in Science (New York, N.Y.)
O'Neill B
(2012)
Climatic change is advancing the phenology of moth species in Ireland
in Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata
Comont R
(2012)
Using biological traits to explain ladybird distribution patterns
in Journal of Biogeography
Chapman JW
(2012)
Seasonal migration to high latitudes results in major reproductive benefits in an insect.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Comont, R. F.
(2013)
Does niche overlap with Harmonia axyridis correlate with population declines in the British ladybird fauna?
in IOBC/WPRS Bulletin
Richard Harrington (Author)
(2013)
Ten amazing facts about aphids (that you would probably rather not know)
in British Sugar Beet Review
Fox, R
(2013)
The State of Britain's Larger Moths 2013
Kati A
(2013)
Identity of Schizaphis species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the United Kingdom: are they a threat to crops?
in Bulletin of entomological research
| Title | Giant aphid model |
| Description | We have created a 750:1 scale model of Myzus persicae (Sulzer), the Peach-Potato Aphid. This is the world's most serious aphid pest. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Impact | We use the model to inform farmers, school children etc during KT, how aphids work in terms of behaviour including reproduction, sensing and flight. The model is new so the impacts have yet to be felt. |
| Description | To be completed towards end of grant. 25th September 2014 The Rothamsted Insect Survey operates two networks of traps, suction-traps (15) primarily for understanding changes occurring in aphid populations in time and space, and light-traps (84) which provide the same information on moths. The data are used internally and for a wide range of external projects, spanning the full spectrum of fundamental to applied science. Discoveries and uses include: The timing and size of the spring migration of many pest aphid species is strongly correlated with temperature in January and February. This makes it possible to provide predictions for growers and to assess the likely impacts of climate change on pest problems. Aphid migrations have advanced by approximately two thirds of a day per year over the past 50 years. In other words they start flying on average a month earlier now than they did 50 years ago. The insecticide resistance status of aphids found in suction- traps can be tested. Four mechanisms, each conferring resistance to a different class of insecticide, are present in the peach-potato aphid, which is an important pest of potato, sugar beet and brassicas. We can track the prevalence of resistance mechanisms in time and space and hence support decisions of the deployment of insecticides. The grain aphid has recently become resistant to pyrethroids, the main group of insecticides used to control it and barley yellow dwarf virus which it transmits. Our samples show that the resistance mutation was present at least as early as 2009 and is now common throughout the country. We can also detect the presence of plant viruses in aphids and advise on their prevalence. All samples from suction-traps are stored and we are able to look at other insects, or make samples available so that others can do this. This has been done with the midge vectors of bluetongue disease of sheep and cattle (with The Pirbright Institute), natural enemies of aphids (with various organisations), pollinator flies (with The University of Hamburg), Empids (dance flies) and other groups of insects. The aphid data have helped to demonstrate that the nature of defence compounds in plants can be governed by the species of insect feeding on them. The light-trap data have shown that two thirds of our common larger moth species have declined significantly over the past 50 years, especially in southern Britain. This is worrying as moths are important components of the food chain. However, one third of species has become more abundant. The reasons for the changes are being investigated and will inform conservation strategy. |
| Exploitation Route | To be completed towards end of grant. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Environment |
| URL | http://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/insect-survey |
| Description | The Rothamsted Insect Survey was establish in 1964 to provide information to farmers, crop consultants and industry to reduce the prophylactic use of insecticdes. We continue doing that work today. It has been estimated that economic losses as a result of aphid feeding and vectoring of viruses could on average be £190 million pa. To reduce that impact we communicate with farmers directly and through levy boards (AHDB, BBRO) and crop consults to ensure that a targetted application of insecticides is synchronised with aphid migration patterns, therefore reducing the likelihood of resistance evolution. The overall impact of this is incredibly hard to value. We have recorded our activities elsewhere in the portal, but for completeness the activities are: Produced the following bulletins and wrote newsletters for the agricultural industry, covering aphid phenology, abundance, distribution and insecticide resistance status: • 33 aphid data bulletins available freely on the Rothamsted web site. • 36 news sheets and updates for AHDB on aphid pests which are then published unchanged weekly on AHDB, HDC/Syngenta and PGRO websites. • 20 news sheets for BBRO on sugar beet aphids. The Rothamsted Insect Survey also records moths and we recognise the societal value of this group and their role as pollinators. Since 1964 we have been recording moth popualtion dynamics and have produced many reports, most notably The State of Britain's Larger Moths 2013 http://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/news/declines-uk-moth-species-could-signal-potentially-catastrophic-loss-biodiversity-british. This is an important activity that feeds into shaping policy. Note that above pulication and its predecessor were recorded as Early day motions in Hansard. http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2012-13/1303 and http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2005-06/1999 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Impact Types | Societal Economic |
| Description | Citation in IPCC 5th Assessment |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | We published a paper titled Thackeray, S. J., Sparks, T. H., Frederiksen, M., Burthe, S., Bacon, P. J., Bell, J. R., Botham, M. S., Brereton, T. M., Bright, P. W., Carvalho, L., Clutton-Brock, T., Dawson, A., Edwards, M., Elliott, J. M., Harrington, R., Johns, D., Jones, I. D., Jones, J. T., Leech, D. I., Roy, D. B., Scott, W. A., Smith, M., Smithers, R. J., Winfield, I. J. & Wanless, S. (2010) Trophic level asynchrony in rates of phenological change for marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. Global Change Biology 16: 3304-3313. This paper used Rothamsted Insect Survey data on moths and aphids and other Uk data to make statements about climate change for the IPCC 5th Assessment. It was cited in chapters 4 (Terrestrial systems) and 6 (Oceans). The impact of the report and its findings are described here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPCC_Fifth_Assessment_Report. Notably, the IPCC's world impact has been to curb emissions and change the way humans use resources. |
| URL | http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1/ |
| Description | Early Day Motions in the Houses of Parliament on "DECLINE IN BRITAIN'S MOTH POPULATION" |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2012-13/1303 |
| Description | State of Britain's Larger Moths |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Description | State of Nature |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | The report was the most comprehensive ever produced on the state of nature in the UK. Our contribution related to moths. The high-profile report launch was widely reported in the press and the report is expected to influence policy of biodiversity. It is impossible to isolate the impacts of this report from other activities relating to biodiversity. |
| URL | http://www.rspb.org.uk/stateofnature |
| Description | AHDB Research Grants |
| Amount | £600,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Agricultural and Horticulture Development Board |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2014 |
| End | 03/2019 |
| Description | BBRO Research Grants |
| Amount | £387,274 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 13/01 |
| Organisation | British Beet Research Organisation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2013 |
| End | 03/2017 |
| Description | DTP PhD Investigating the mechanisms behind moth declines: plants, landscape, pollution and climate. |
| Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ENV16594 |
| Organisation | Envision Design |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2016 |
| End | 03/2020 |
| Description | Detection and monitoring of psyllid vectors of Candidatus Liberibacter Solanacearum in Scotland |
| Amount | £263,045 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Government of Scotland |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2015 |
| End | 01/2017 |
| Description | GCRF-Impact Acceleration Accounts (GCRF-IAAs) to support RRES-IRRI workshop strengthening links with the rice nutrition and sustainability programmes |
| Amount | £34,469 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/GCRF-IAA/18 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2016 |
| End | 02/2017 |
| Description | NERC Responsive mode |
| Amount | £464,627 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE/N015711/1 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2017 |
| End | 08/2019 |
| Description | NSF/BBSRC partnership project "Spatial Epidemiology of a Vector-Borne Plant Virus" |
| Amount | £9,813 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of St Andrews |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2013 |
| End | 09/2018 |
| Description | SWBIO DTP Nutrient-specific foraging and the role of spiders as aphid predators |
| Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2016 |
| End | 05/2020 |
| Description | Suitcase suction trap with nanopore technology |
| Amount | £45,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Rothamsted Research |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2016 |
| End | 12/2017 |
| Title | Rothamsted Insect Survey Data Requests |
| Description | The Rothamsted Insect Survey's long-term data are of unquestionable importance providing information on aphids, larger moths and many other migrating insects to academia, growers, conservation organisations and individuals. As such these data have a wide range of fundamental and applied uses. As of 2016, we now record and track RIS data. In the last 12 months, 2,829,019 records have been sent to 26 recipients from 3 countries, including UK, Australia and USA. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Data used for a wide range of internal and external projects spanning the full fundamental to applied research spectrum. We have documented the papers, grants etc in the corresponding sections within this submission. |
| Title | Rothamsted Insect Survey Online Database |
| Description | The Rothamsted Insect Survey (RIS) has been running two trap networks since 1964. Its long-term data are unique providing information on aphids, larger moths and many other migrating insects to scientists, growers, conservation organisations, individuals and policy makers. As such, the networks represent the most comprehensive standardised long-term data on insects in the World and have a wide range of fundamental and applied uses. The Rothamsted Insect Survey is supported by a wide variety of organisations and individuals. We recognise contributions made by research institutes, universities, non-governmental organisations, private volunteers and Rothamsted staff past and present, who have either provided administrative and software support, hosted light-traps or suction-traps or identified the catch. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | https://repository.rothamsted.ac.uk/item/987q7/rothamsted-insect-survey-online-database |
| Description | 6 month Leonardo studentship hosted by Rothamsted with Jesica Perez |
| Organisation | University of Valencia |
| Country | Spain |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Rothamsted Insect Survey hosted s Leanardo Studentship for 6 months and provided samples and expertise to investigate the phenology of parasitoids and aphids. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Jesica Perez identified the insects and provided the RIS with data. |
| Impact | PÉREZ-RODRÍGUEZ, J., SHORTALL, C. R. and BELL, J. R. (2015), Large-scale migration synchrony between parasitoids and their host. Ecological Entomology, 40: 654-659. doi: 10.1111/een.12241 |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Defra Wildcru moth decline |
| Organisation | University College Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of time series data on moths from light-trap network and discussion of interpreatation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Data analysis and report writing. |
| Impact | Report to Natural England |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Moth population modelling |
| Organisation | Manchester Metropolitan University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Data and expertise, editing manuscript |
| Collaborator Contribution | Analysis, writing manuscript |
| Impact | Paper in press. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | SASA |
| Organisation | Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture |
| Department | Virology and Zoology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | SASA form part of the network of 12.2 m suction traps, managing the four Scottish traps. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Aphid identification, infrastructure maintenance, dissemination of information |
| Impact | The data form part of the statutory Scottish Seed Potato Classification Scheme and help to determine action required by registered growers. |
| Description | Status of Insects: An International Research Coordination Network |
| Organisation | University of Connecticut |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Member of the nascent Research Coordination Network led from University of Connecticut. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Development of cross-institute research and grant proposals. |
| Impact | No firm outcomes as yet. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Undergraduate Research Opportunity Programme (UROP) |
| Organisation | University of Reading |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Training. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Through Alice Mauchline, one of the supervisors, we were awarded the funding for an undergraduate placement to work on FERA's cabbage stem flea beetle data. |
| Impact | The student produced data that on an allied beetle pest from FERA collections. These data will support the PhD. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Alabama Farmers visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Spoke to visiting farmer's delegation about Rothamsted Insect Survey suction-trap network and research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | All Media Articles Involving the RIS 2015-present |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 24/04/2015 Farmers Weekly Turnip yellows virus hits 80% of OSR crop in some regions 07/07/2015 FG Insight Large-scale aphid migration contributing to increased virus pressure 01/08/2015 BBSRC videos Big science from small insects 20/08/2015 Fresh Produce Journal Growers face 'worst aphid infestation in living memory' 25/08/2015 The Dailymail Aphid plague is the worst for ten years: Explosion of the insects could lead to shortage of vegetables including cauliflower and broccoli 25/08/2015 The Grocer British veg shortages predicted as aphids attack crops 25/08/2015 Daily Telegraph Aphid invasion spells disaster for gardeners 05/10/2015 The Independent Nature Studies: Fewer wasps to swat is a sign of an ecosystem in serious trouble 07/10/2015 Farmers Weekly Potato aphids 12/10/2015 Farmers Weekly Turnip yellows virus 26/10/2015 Farmers Weekly Aphid numbers drop thanks to cooler conditions 07/12/2015 Ukrainian Biofuel Portal Grain and rapeseed sowings in the EU: the impact of mild weather conditions 07/12/2015 Phys Org Climate change governs a crop pest, even when populations are far-flung 14/06/2016 1pm BBC News Diamondback moths 14/06/2016 Daily Telgraph Super-moth explosion could wipe out cabbage and cauliflower crops 14/06/2016 Daily Mail Crop warning over arrival in big numbers of 'pest' moths 14/06/2016 Daily Mail A 'biblical' explosion of moths could wipe out cabbage and cauliflower crops in Britain 14/06/2016 Farmers Weekly Diamondback moth explosion threatens brassica crops 14/06/2016 Irish Independent Crop warning over arrival in big numbers of 'pest' moths 14/06/2016 BBC News 'Biblical' moth influx threatens to devastate crops 14/06/2016 Plymouth Herald Invasion of French moths threatens cabbage crops 14/06/2016 Cornwall Live Invasion of French moths threatens cabbage crops 14/06/2016 Fox News UK faces potential moth infestation of 'biblical' proportions 18/01/2017 International Business Times Wasp plagues are set to hit UK and New Zealand as climate change brings warmer springs 06/02/2017 The Guardian Why climate change is good news for wasps |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017 |
| Description | Aphid Alerts |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Produced the following bulletins and wrote newsletters for the agricultural industry, covering aphid phenology, abundance, distribution and insecticide resistance status: • 33 aphid data bulletins available freely on the Rothamsted web site. • 36 news sheets and updates for AHDB on aphid pests which are then published unchanged weekly on AHDB, HDC/Syngenta and PGRO websites. • 20 news sheets for BBRO on sugar beet aphids. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016 |
| URL | http://cereals.ahdb.org.uk/publications/2014/september/05/integrated-aphid-advisory-alerts.aspx |
| Description | Articles in trade journals |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We wrote, or were quoted in, a large number of articles in the farming press. A steady stream of enquiries related to aphids in crops. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | Pre-2006,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014 |
| URL | http://www.rothansted.ac.uk/insect-survey |
| Description | BBC Radio 4 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | BBC4 Unnatural Selection by Adam Hart on the 2/2/2016 concerned insecticide resistance mechansims used by aphids. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06ztq58 |
| Description | BBRO Insect ID training |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Training BBRO technicians on identifying major pests and beneficial insects in beet crops. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | BBRO Training in Advanced Sugar Beet Technology |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Approximately 10 practitioners each year better informed on crop protection issues. None yet known. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
| Description | BBRO field days |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The British Beet Research Organisation hosted four field events for growers, which sparked many questions from growers and from me. Growers learned much about aphid monitoring, forecasting and control. I learnt much from growers about their needs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Cereals |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Engagement with farming community. Many requests for further information. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
| Description | Committee on World Food Security |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Lecture at FAO Rome to discuss the research agenda to support adaptation to crop and livestock pests and diseases. None known specifically in relation to my contribution. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Festival of Ecology |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | As part of the British Ecological Society's "Festival of Ecology" (to celebrate the Centenary of the Society" we contributed to a day for local Secondary School students doing biology A-level. Not directly from this, but I can't find a suitable category in which to report it, the Insect Survey featured in an AQA GCE AS-level question in the General Sciences paper on Science and Society, June 2013. They had to read a passage on our work (and related BBSRC work) and answer questions to show their understanding. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Insects As Pests |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Lecture on insects as pests to Royal Holloway university students |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | National Insect Week |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Schoolchildren and teachers gain a better understanding of the diversity and importance (negative and positive) of insects to humans. We are almost always asked if the groups can return in the future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2008,2010,2012,2014 |
| URL | http://www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk |
| Description | Natural curiosities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Advising on a script for the David Attenborough series "Natural Curiosities". The particular programme was about parthenogenesis. None to date. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Newsletters to industry |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Weekly newsletters on aphid abundance are made available to crop growers. Reduced use of insecticides. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | Pre-2006,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014 |
| URL | http://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/insect-suevey |
| Description | RIS 50 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
| Results and Impact | An open day was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Rothamsted Insect Survey. this comprised six lectures, presentation of certificates to our volunteers, unveiling of a plaque and an evening event for the public. Three radio interviews (Radio 4 Inside Science, Radio 4 Farming Today, Radio Verulam. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/insect-survey |
| Description | Requests for insect identification |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We respond as time allows to requests from the public and scientists for identification of insects (20 or so per year). No feedback. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013,2014 |
| Description | River Cottage |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We answered a question put by a viewer of the BBC programme "River Cottage" about insects and climate change. The response was broadcast. None known. Hopefully at least one satisfied viewer. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Rothamsted Diploma in Crop Protection |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Approximately 10 people per year have an improved understanding of crop protection issues. Hopefully this translates to improved crop protection practice. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014 |
| Description | Sense about Science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Better informed public. Invitation to become a permanent member of the Plant Science Panel. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Talk at Ento22 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Talk giving preliminary results form the study. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.royensoc.co.uk/event/ento22/ |
| Description | Talk at European Congress of Lepidopterology |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Talk on light-trap data data |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://sel2022.ut.ee/avaleht |
| Description | The One Show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A five minute piece on the BBC's "One Show" about our work. Repeated the following year is a "One Show" highlights series called "Best of Britain". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013 |
| Description | The Rothamsted Insect Survey |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Online talk to Masters students at Manchester Metropolitan University |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Use of Social Media |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | To alert farmers and crop consultants and to communicate the news of the Rothamsted Insect Survey we have set up a Twitter account @Rothamsted_RIS |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/Rothamsted_RIS |
| Description | Visits to the RIS by learned or professional organisations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | We continually interact with the science, industrial, professional community. This is not an exhaustive list, but some interactions have included in recent months, for example: A delegation visited from Agri-Tech Organisation UKTI International delegation to see the working of the Rothamsted Insect Survey (2015) A delegation from China (HAAS) visited to examine RIS resources (2015) A small delegation from the University of Rennes visited concerning Pea aphid genetics and the Insect Survey (2015) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |