The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

What a really interesting and enjoyable couple of days this was.  The new Darwin Centre at the Museum was a spectacular venue.  Erica McAlister (Diptera Curator) plus her assistants Hannah Cornish and Kim Goodger did us proud.  Full credit for a fascinating set of talks kicked off by a thought-provoking one from Chris Thompson and including a last minute reschedule with the insertion of an extra talk from Geoff Hancock on Lipsothrix larval morphology revealed by Scanning Electron Microscopy.  After the talks, updates from the Stilt and Stalk, Cranefly, Fungus Gnat and Hoverfly recording schemes sent us all away resolved to really get those records sorted and sent in over the Christmas hols.  The AGM revealed to me the most pleasing news that numbers of members of the Dipterists Forum continue to increase every year.

During the breaks there were great cakes and great chat with old friends..  Pemberley books took our money for entomological texts and the Henshaws provided us with the opportunity to purchase essential entomological equipment without stirring from the coffee.  A select few continued the animated conversations over a Thai meal in a local restaurant and drinks in the pub.
On the Sunday morning a tour of the new Diptera collection arrangements (oh the fun of the 'compactors'!) preceded the opportunity for some to study specimens further using the microscopes and facilities available.  Setting all this up and making it all happen smoothly must have been a huge amount of work and our heartfelt thanks go to Erica, Hannah and Kim for the time they put in.  A full report including details of the AGM will be in the next Bulletin due out in the Spring.

In the couple of photos attached we see Mark and Erica chatting at coffee, whilst Brian, Martin and Hannah are viewing the items on the Henshaw's stall.  A few more photographs are posted in the Gallery Section.

Judy

Last edited by Judy Webb (2009-12-13 19:42:03)