entoLEARN is our programme of specialist-led webinars and online courses designed to help you discover, identify and understand the incredible diversity of UK invertebrates.
Each entoLEARN course explores a different group of species, covering their biology, ecology, behaviour and identification. Whether you are taking your first steps into invertebrate recording or looking to expand your existing knowledge, our courses are suitable for adults of all abilities—no previous experience is required, just a curiosity and passion for the natural world.
Biological recording is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we work with leading invertebrate specialists, national recorders and conservation organisations to deliver accurate, practical and engaging training.
Our tutors and partners include:
- The Bumblebee Conservation Trust, who partnered with us to develop our bumblebee entoLEARN content.
- The authors of key identification guides, such as Britain’s Dragonflies WILDGuide and the Ants Naturalists’ Handbook.
- National recorders for earthworms, freshwater leeches, harvestmen, longhorn beetles, soldier beetles and soldierflies, bringing their specialist knowledge and first-hand experience to our courses.
By learning with entoLEARN, you’re not just building your identification skills – you’re gaining insights from the people helping to record, understand and conserve the UK’s invertebrate diversity.
Live entoLEARN Webinars
Throughout the year, entoLEARN hosts live evening webinars designed to help you develop your knowledge of UK invertebrates from leading subject specialists.
Each 90-minute webinar includes:
- A one-hour presentation with a subject specialist
- A live Q&A session with the speaker
- The opportunity to ask questions directly to a specialist
- Access to the recording and additional content after the event
All webinars are delivered via Zoom and are available for just £12.50 per session. If you can’t make the live event, don’t worry… the recording and resources will be available afterwards so you can learn at a time that suits you.
Whether you’re starting your journey into entomology or looking to expand your existing knowledge, entoLEARN webinars provide an accessible way to learn from experts and improve your identification skills.
Upcoming webinars
Ants of the UK: Lasius Ants
Tuesday 22 September 2026
Learn about the species of ant found within the Lasius genus that occur in the UK with Gary Skinner, author of the Ants Naturalists’ Handbook..
Froghoppers of the UK
Thursday 01 October 2026
Learn about the Froghoppers (Aphrophoridae and Cercopidae) of the UK with Joss Carr, verifier of Leafhoppers & Allies on iRecord.
Robberflies of the UK
Thursday 08 October 2026
Learn about the Robberflies (family Asilidae) of the UK with Martin Harvey, National Recorder for Soldierflies & Allies..
Ants of the UK: Myrmica Ants
Tuesday 01 December 2026
Learn about the species of ant found within the Myrmica genus that occur in the UK with Gary Skinner, author of the Ants Naturalists’ Handbook..
entoLEARN Self-study Online Courses
Missed a live webinar? All of our entoLEARN webinars are transformed into online self-study courses following the live event, giving you the flexibility to learn whenever it suits you.
Each course includes:
- Recorded webinar presentations from leading invertebrate specialists
- Specialist Q&A sessions answering questions from live attendees
- Useful links and additional learning resources
- Access for a full year via our online learning platform
Whether you’re a beginner naturalist, experienced biological recorder or professional ecologist, you can build your entomology skills and knowledge at your own pace.
Courses start from just £12.50.
Arachnid Series
Harvestmen of the UK
Harvestmen are arachnids (order Opiliones). Unlike spiders, they have a single fused body, no venom or silk, no webs, and one eye pair on a turret. Learn about the biology and ecology of UK harvestmen and some of the species that can be found in terrestrial, arboreal and subterranean environments.
Orbweb Spiders of the UK
Explore the UK’s Orbweb Spiders (Araneidae) in this entoLEARN course, from Garden and Wasp Spiders to Trashline and Walnut Orbwebs. Learn how these web-building predators hunt, thrive in diverse habitats, and support ecosystems.
Bees, Wasps & Ants (Aculeata) Series
Bumblebees of the UK
Discover the UK’s 24 bumblebee species with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Explore the most common species, rare and localised ones, and cuckoo bumblebees, including two extinct species, while learning about their ecology, ID and conservation.
Social Wasps of the UK
Explore 10 species of social wasps and hornets, learning how to tell different species from one another with wasp specialist Tony Madgwick. Enhance your knowledge and appreciation of these misunderstood insects in this entoLEARN course.
Beetle (Coleoptera) Series
Chafers of the UK
Learn about 18 species of chafer, from the beetle subfamilies Cetoniinae and Melolonthinae, with Coleopterist Wil J. Heeney in this entoLEARN course.
Longhorn Beetles of the UK
The UK is home to over 70 species of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) that can be found occurring in natural habitats that have been recorded to date. Wil Heeney presents 24 of the UK’s species in this entoLEARN course.
Dragonfly (Odonata) Series
Damselflies of the UK
Explore the 20 species of damselflies in the UK, uncover their life cycles, colours, and flight skills with Odonata specialist Dave Smallshire. Enhance your knowledge and appreciation of these stunning insects in this entoLEARN course.
Dragonflies of the UK
Discover the UK’s 30 dragonfly species and uncover their colours, life cycles, and flight skills with Odonata expert Dave Smallshire. Expand your knowledge and appreciation of these remarkable insects in this entoLEARN course.
Flies (Diptera) Series
Bee-flies of the UK
Learn about the Bee-flies (Bombyliidae) of the UK with tutor Martin Harvey. This online course covers all the UK species, their ecology, behaviour, distributions and recording techniques.
Soldierflies of the UK
Learn to identify UK soldierflies (Stratiomyidae) with fly specialist Martin Harvey. This online course covers key species, ecology, behaviour, and recording techniques.
Segmented Worm (Annelida) Series
Earthworms of the UK & Ireland
Learn about the 33 species of earthworm recorded from natural environments in the UK and Ireland with Keiron Brown, including notes on their distribution, habitat preferences, behaviour and rarity.
Freshwater Leeches of the UK
Dive into the fascinating world of freshwater leeches with this entoLEARN short course, focusing on the 7 distinctive freshwater leeches found in the UK and presented by leech specialist Rachel Davies.