Founder

Dr Wendy Harris

I am an Associate Professor at Swansea University where I lecture in Entomology and Science Communication, as well as field courses in Field Zoology, Professional Skills in Conservation, and Tropical Ecology and Conservation in Borneo. My research crosses pollinator distributions, dragonfly behaviour, and collaborative work with material engineering, and I have recently developed a huge fascination with ants. I wanted to create a way to support engagement with entomological research in a transparent and accessible format, and have been lucky enough to find a group of students with the same drive and enthusiasm for the subject!

Editors-In-Chief

In no particular order, the editors-in-chief are:

Madeleine Fabušová

Hi, my name is Madeleine Fabušová, and I am a PhD student at Newcastle University, studying the impacts of artificial light at night on biodiversity, primarily insects. My favourite group of insects are ‘Lepidoptera’, our moths and butterflies- their diversity and ecological importance makes them truly fascinating! I got involved with EntoBites as I hope to make insect science and entomology accessible to everyone. 

Stephanie Glendinning

Hello!  My name is Steph Glendinning and I’m a PhD student at the University of Sheffield, researching pollinating insects in urban areas.  My favourite insect is the bee-fly (Bombylius major) which looks really cute and cuddly, but the larvae are actually sneaky nest parasites on ground-nesting bees.  I love communicating the wonder of insect science, and EntoBites is an amazing opportunity to share my knowledge.

Veronika Pavlasová

Hello, my name is Veronika Pavlasová, and I am a PhD student at Newcastle University. I am investigating nutrient transport between crop pest insects and their endosymbionts. This symbiotic relationship helps the insects thrive and allows them to inhabit various niches. I am particularly interested in insects that harbour endosymbionts (such as aphids), as well as parasitic insects and other ectoparasites (like ticks and mites). I joined EntoBites because it offers a fantastic platform to connect with a broader audience and share my enthusiasm and knowledge.

Matthew Sparks

Hi, my name is Matthew Sparks and I’m a current PhD student at Swansea University. I am researching how flies view urban environments which has come with a lot of unique challenges trying to recreate their vision as there’s a lot of elements to consider (being able to see ultraviolet and polarised light for a few examples!). Flies are obviously my favourite group of insects although I do have a soft spot for common cockchafers (Melolontha melolontha) as they do have adorable faces and since I raised one from a grub found in my dads garden. I believe there’s an insect species or group for everyone out there which is why I write for Entobites to help you find yours.

Authors

In no particular order, the article authors are:

Maddie Park

Hello, my name is Maddie Park and I am a PhD student at Newcastle University. My research looks to further understand nutrient transport in sap feeding crop pests which have evolved relationships with bacteria. This includes aphids, whitefly and psyllids. The sap that these insects feed on is low in essential amino acids, but the bacteria they house are able to provide these essential amino acids. The final part of my research will involve finding ways to disrupt the relationship between sap feeding insect pests and their symbiotic bacteria as a way to develop new species specific pesticides, which don’t harm beneficial insects as many current pesticides do. My favourite insects are the true bugs (hemiptera) which includes sap feeding insects but also a whole variety of other interesting species like the water strider which can walk on water! I got involved with EntoBites as I love learning about and communicating science and believe that entomology should be more accessible for everyone.

Dr. Alfonsina Grabosky

Hi, I am a Doctoral Fellow at the National Scientific and Technical Research
Council (CONICET, Argentina). I hold a Master’s degree in Biodiversity
Conservation from Rey Juan Carlos University (Spain) and completed my PhD
in Biological Sciences at the National University of Salta (Argentina). Since my
undergraduate studies, I have focused on understanding urban diversity
patterns in tardigrades—commonly known as “water bears”— exploring how
these microinvertebrates respond to environmental gradients and urbanisation.
Alongside my research, I am the director of the science outreach project
Discovering the Microfauna, which aims to bring the hidden world of
microscopic invertebrates closer to the public through accessible
communication.

Molly Walker

Hi I’m Molly Walker, I am an undergraduate Biology student at the University of Oxford hoping to pursue further study in insect sensory Biology. I am particularly drawn to Hymenoptera, especially solitary bees and parasitic wasps. I love to share my interest in the natural world with others, usually though my artwork, so I was excited to join the authors at Entobites to make entomology research more accessible and help others appreciate how amazing and diverse insects are. 

Baxter Walters-Hutton

Hey! I’m Baxter Walters-Hutton (They/Them/He/Him) , and I’m an undergraduate student at Swansea University, studying Zoology. Currently I’m on my placement year at the Natural History Museum, which Entobites have helped us to document and provide a place to share the journey. Personally,  I have a great interest in Hymenopterans, specifically Eusocial insects, as I am fascinated by their societies, however the parasitic wasps are a group I appreciate increasingly as my placement continues!

Lucas Aucock

Hi, my name is Lucas Aucock! I’m a Zoology student at Swansea University, and currently undertaking a placement year at the Natural History Museum! I’m working in the Hymenopteran department, which is great as my favourite insects are the tarantula hawks, belonging to the genera Pepsis and Hemipepsis! They are said to possess the most painful sting of any wasp, certainly making a big impression – ouch! I hope to make a big insect impression on all EntoBites readers with lots of entomological extracts from my museum adventure!