Wisley

Do you have a passion for Science, Horticulture and Entomology? Then why not volunteer at one of the country's top gardens at RHS garden Wisley? 

We are currently looking for a volunteer to join the science team as a Moth Identification Volunteer

The moth identification volunteers will collect, sort and identify deceased moths from a Rothamsted Insect Survey (RIS) light trap. The work will help monitor trends in moth abundance and distribution as part of a national scheme. There will also be opportunities to work with archive documents, the RHS entomology collections and biodiversity records. Applicants should have passion for wildlife, especially insects, experience and some knowledge of insect classification, data handling in Microsoft Software, and enjoy working in a laboratory with identification guides, and preserved insects. Please click and read  full details on the role the Moth Identification Volunteer

Background: The Rothamsted Insect Survey network and the Wisley trap

A RIS light trap has been running at RHS Garden Wisley since 29 May 1975 and is now one of the longest running traps in the scheme. Due to development of Hilltop: The Home of Gardening Science the trap has moved twice since 2018. It now has a permanent home in the Wildlife Garden at Hilltop. The volunteers will sort and identify the larger (macro-)moths and prepare the data for sending Rothamsted Research. To date, more than 400 species of macro-moth have been recorded in the Wisley trap. In addition to the macro-moths, the smaller (micro-)moths, lacewings, caddis flies, beetles, true bugs and leafhoppers caught in the traps are sorted from the traps and sent off for identification. The data from the light trap network has been used to demonstrate changing distributions and abundance of moths including the State of Britain’s larger Moths reports

What’s involved?

• Moths caught in the Rothamsted light trap will be sorted and identified to species, using identification guides and by comparing to specimens in the RHS insect collection
• Data to be entered into excel spreadsheet
• Assist in curation of the entomology collections (specimens and paper archives)

We are looking for one volunteer for one day each week from 10.00am to 4pm to work with our existing moth volunteer. We will provide training and supervision in insect identification and other aspects of the role as needed

Places are extremely limited, not all applicants will be able to join us.

We are committed to being an inclusive recruiter and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.  We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expect all volunteers to share this commitment.
 

Next Steps

• If you are interested in becoming a Heather Landscape volunteer in 2026 at Wisley, please apply by completing an application form through our Volunteer Portal, Better Impact. Link on the top right hand side of your screen. If you have used this system before, please use your existing log in details.
• Please ensure that you describe how your skills and experience are relevant to the role you are applying for (as specified in the role descriptions) as this is how applicants will be shortlisted.
• The deadline for applying for the role is Monday 4th May
• Interviews to take place in the garden on either 14th or 28th May