www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Apologies if I might be stealing Mark Colvins thunder here but I have noticed that the Oxford University Museum of Natural History has two behind the scenes tour of its Entomology department this year for the princely sum of £5. The first is on 7th May and judging by Mark's reports it could be worth a look. Mark T.

Hi Mark,

I'd always recommend a visit to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, particularly the Hope Department of Entomology.

Throughout 2013, although the museum is technically closed to visitors due to essential maintenance work, curation and scientific research continues (Pete and I will certainly be there). During this period, as Mark quite rightly points out, the museum is offering behind-the-scenes tours to members of the public.

I know I'm biased on this one, but you won't regret buying a ticket ...

More at:

http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk/visiting/whatson.htm

I second that. What's more, you'll get to meet and chat with some of the most knowledgeable and friendly scientists in the field - spending time with them has really opened my eyes up to a completely new dimension of my butterfly obsession which is, as Mark hints at, dipping into the available research materials, the content of which isn't always common knowledge

Cheers,

- Pete

Tuts wrote:Oxford University Museum of Natural History has two behind the scenes tour of its Entomology department this year for the princely sum of £5.

I went on the first of these tours this afternoon and thought it excellent. Darren Mann's enthusiasm shone through, as he showed us his favourite collections (beetles!) and expertly answered all our questions.

It was a special thrill to see the oldest pinned specimen of a butterfly and to admire cases full of Large Coppers, etc., etc., etc. There were only nine people on the tour, including Nomad, from these forums. There is a repeat performance on 11th June, which I would strongly recommend to anyone who can make it. See http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk/visiting/whatson.htm for more information.

As it happened, David Attenborough was there, too, making a film.

Mike

Hi All - I am looking forward to it - have booked to go on the 11th Jume. Mark

Have just come back from my visit and I can honestly say that that I have rarely spent a more enthralling couple of hours. My partner Sarah accompanied me and was not really looking forward to traipsing round a museum looking at pinned insects - yet she came out buzzing and couldn't stop jabbering on about it as we enjoyed a drink in the pub down the lane.
Darren Mann - the assistant curator - easily transferred his unbridled enthusiasm for Entymology in general and dung beetles in particular including the advantages of human poo as bait (don't ask.......) what a fantastic chap, he was just buzzing about his subjects and you could not fail to be humbled by his knowledge and dedication to preserving and cataloging the collection - miles too much to go in to here but some highlights:
Walking through the room where Huxley and Wlberforce had their debate about natural selection where part of the collection is housed
Seeing the oldest pinned specimen a bath white dating back to 1702
Numerous type specimens including the biggest bee in the world and Dr Livingstones Tsetse Fly
Looking at rows of Orange Tips collected in England some of which were only two thirds the size of a normal specimen.
Opening a box of papered moths collected in Ethiopia in the 1950's but as yet they have not been set or even identified - there could even be new species in there!
Seeing the specimens collected by Darwin himself.
I am grateful for the wonderful opportunity Darren has given me to see behind the scenes which has given me a completely new insight into the work and importance of museum collections.
If you get the chance to go grab it you won't be disappointed
Mark