'The Trouble Without Wasps' (Option to present using ZOOM)

Dr Ian Bedford (Norwich, Norfolk)


Region:
Anywhere
Notice Period:
Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
Type:
Hobby
Fee:
Paid: £85 - £120 depending on distance plus negotiable travel costs. (Zooms £80)
Category:
Nature
Updated:
8th November 2023
Tagged:
Gardens | Plants | Insects | Pests

Wasps are not just a yellow and black striped aggressive insect that can annoy us in our gardens and homes. They are in fact an essential group of insects for protecting our crops and the health of our ecosystems. Social wasps have evolved traits that make them appear very intelligent insects, they can make decisions, solve problems and even recognise different faces! There's over 9000 species of wasps in Britain and many have been commercialised to help in crop protection. Without wasps it would be an ecological and economical disaster for us. This talk explains why.

Views: 2010 | Enquiries: 14

About Dr Ian Bedford (Norwich, Norfolk)

(Usually available to provide ZOOM Presentations at very short notice)

I have been fascinated by insects and other invertebrates for most of my life.

Starting out as an Amateur Entomologist, studying and conserving butterflies on the South Downs, I went on to pursue a professional career as an entomologist. For over 42 years I undertook plant science research at the John Innes Centre (one of the UK's leading research centres), where I became Head of the Entomology Department. Retiring from my life as a Research Entomologist, I now continue with my love of entomology through a wide range of public engagement activities.

I not only talk to Garden clubs and Horticultural clubs on various insect (bug) - related subjects, but hold Plant Pest Clinics at Garden Centres and national flower/garden shows. However, the content and any views expressed during my talks are my own and do not reflect those of others or any organisations.

I'm also often called upon by the media to speak about topical bug issues and have appeared on popular TV shows such as Gardeners' World, Inside Out, Tonight, Horizon, BBC Breakfast, the A to Z of TV Gardening, The Great British Garden Revival and even Harry Hill's Alien Fun Capsule show on ITV. I've also featured on BBC Gardeners Question Time and run the Plant Pest Clinic for Toby Buckland's Flower Festival at Powderham Castle each year, where I also give talks.

I also have the great honour of being the Resident Entomology Expert for BBC Radio Suffolk and Radio Norfolk and also have a weekly feature on Toby Buckland's BBC Radio Devon Gardening Programme which he calls, 'The Entomologist Entertains'

Please Google 'Ian Bedford Speaker' for links to more information on my work and activities. Also, my availability can be seen on my 'Talks for Garden Clubs' webpage


Send a message to the speaker

If you are interested in this talk and wish to contact the speaker, please complete the following form:

 
Please provide your contact name
 
Please provide the name of your group
 
Your phone number so that the speaker can contact you
 
Your email address so that the speaker can contact you
 
Give details about the event, time of day and location
Prove you are human please.
Use the slider to drag the puzzle so that the top and bottom are aligned
 

Site Search

Search across all speakers, topics and tags. Put your search term in the box and press enter or hit search

Use quotes around exact multiple word searches, eg "winston churchill".