I am interested in studying the ecology, behaviour and habitat requirements of invertebrates in the UK so that appropriate management can be implemented to maintain biodiversity on our fragmented reserves. More recently I have specifically been looking at historical museum specimens, investigating how losses from the past can help guide conservation of the future. Invertebrates are an important food base for a wide range of animals and they provide essential ecosystem services such as pollination and improved soil fertility. However, they can often be overlooked as conservation tends to focus on larger and supposedly more 'charismatic' species. The recent publicity about the widespread, rapid decline of insects highlights the need to research and better understand the challenges facing these animals.