Insect Week (formerly National Insect Week) is an initiative originating in the UK. Usually held during the last week of June, the aim is to engage the general public with the importance of

insect Insects (from Latin ') are pancrustacean hexapod invertebrates of the class Insecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body (head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs ...

s and

entomology Entomology () is the scientific study of insects, a branch of zoology. In the past the term "insect" was less specific, and historically the definition of entomology would also include the study of animals in other arthropod groups, such as arach ...

. The week is organised by

Luke Tilley Luke Tilley FRES FRSA (born 8 January 1983) is a British entomologist and science communicator. He is Director of Communications and Engagement at the Royal Entomological Society and Insect Week Coordinator in the UK. Education and career ...

at the

Royal Entomological Society The Royal Entomological Society is devoted to the study of insects. Its aims are to disseminate information about insects and improving communication between entomology, entomologists. The society was founded in 1833 as the Entomological Socie ...

, as well as

Insect Festival Insect Festival is a biennial series of one day events in the UK, organised by the Royal Entomological Society, to celebrate insects and entomology. The Festivals occur in alternate years to the Society's National Insect Week and consist of inter ...

, and is supported by a large number of partner organisations concerned with insect science, natural history and conservation. The week consists of hundreds of events and activities across UK, allowing the public to discover insects and meet the entomologists that study them. The popular Insect Week Photography Competition is launched during the week and attracts entries from large numbers of amateur photographers. As well as promoting the importance of insect science to the wider public, Insect Week particularly aims to encourage young people into entomology.Insect Week website
/ref> Past Insect Week campaigns have been endorsed by

the Prince of Wales Prince of Wales ( cy, Tywysog Cymru, ; la, Princeps Cambriae/Walliae) is a title traditionally given to the heir apparent to the English and later British throne. Prior to the conquest by Edward I in the 13th century, it was used by the rulers ...

, Prof David Bellamy OBE,

Chris Packham Christopher Gary Packham CBE (born 4 May 1961) is an English naturalist, nature photographer, television presenter and author, best known for his television work including the CBBC children's nature series '' The Really Wild Show'' from 1986 ...

Kate Humble Katherine Mary Humble (born 12 December 1968) is an English television presenter and narrator, mainly working for the BBC, specialising in wildlife and science programmes. Humble served as President of the Royal Society for the Protection of Bi ...

and

Mike Dilger Mike Dilger (born 7 November 1966) is an English ecologist, ornithologist, television presenter, and the wildlife reporter on the BBC television programme ''The One Show''. He attended the University of Nottingham and UCNW Bangor in north Wales. ...

, in 2014 the week was launched by

Jonathan Ross Jonathan Stephen Ross (born 17 November 1960) is an English broadcaster, film critic, comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He presented the BBC One chat show ''Friday Night with Jonathan Ross'' during the 2000s, hosted his own radio show on B ...

. In 2022 to mark the start of the week, Writers Rebel's Paint the Land team produced a short film 'Almost Invisible Angels' based on

Jay Griffiths Jay Griffiths (born in Manchester) is a British writer and author of '' Wild: An Elemental Journey'', ''Pip Pip: A Sideways Look at Time'', ''Anarchipelago'', ''A Love Letter from a Stray Moon'', ''Kith: The Riddle of the Childscape'' and '' T ...

’s dreamtime, narrated by Sir

Mark Rylance Sir David Mark Rylance Waters (born 18 January 1960) is a British actor, playwright and theatre director. He is known for his roles on stage and screen having received numerous awards including an Academy Award, three BAFTA Awards, two Laurence ...

. The next Insect Week will be 19 to 25 June 2023.

References

External links

* {{Official website, https://www.insectweek.co.uk/ British biennial events Royal Entomological Society Science events in the United Kingdom

See also

References

External links