Recorder Insight – Darren Mann

I was born an entomologist and I like to think that I am a dedicated one, although I am told I am somewhat ‘obsessive’. In my early years, I was interested in all natural history and kept in jam jars and boxes, animals of every kind, from woodlice to slow worms. My interest in insects was encouraged by my next door neighbour (Tony Chippendale), who presented me with my first ‘proper’ net and some text books, which I pored over at great length. At junior school my teacher (Terry Denman) gave me some live Madagascan hissing cockroaches, and so began a lifelong fascination with this group of insects.

Coprophanaeus ensifer: one of my favourite dung beetles (DJM coll Bolivia) [image by Katherine Child, OUMNH]

However, what I like to think of as my entomological birth was at the age of 15 when I joined the staff of The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry (HAGM) for two weeks work experience. After day one I realised that my dream job was to become a museum curator, as here I met Adam Wright and Chris Palmer who seemed to have answers to every question about the natural world that books couldn’t provide. During this two week period I extracted hoverfly data from the collections on to Gen 13 cards. Not knowing the correct pronunciation of these Latin names, I made up my own, so Syritta pipens became ‘scratty pips’ and Scaeva pyrastri became ‘scary pasta’. After my two weeks were over I asked if I could return as a volunteer, and to my delight Adam agreed to take me under his wing. 

Drawer of identified/arranged Heliocopris specimens [image by Katherine Child, OUMNH]

Soon after I started volunteering, Chris Palmer left to take up a post in Hampshire Museum, and was replaced by Ray Barnett. This team was further strengthened by the addition of Steve Lane and others who began the ‘Coventry Ecological Survey’. I spent every hour that I wasn’t at school (and occasionally when I was meant to be there) out in the field collecting, identifying and learning. After my return from university, Steve Falk had taken over the HAGM collections, and I once again began volunteering. These years of ‘apprenticeship’ with the various entomologists at the HAGM gave me the education in fieldwork, identification, biological recording and museum work I desperately sought and I am eternally grateful to them for putting up with me.

A chance meeting with Brian Eversham at an entomological meeting introduced me to the world of biological recording at the Biological Records Centre, Monks Wood, where I was later to be employed as data input staff. During the day I checked and improved data sent in to BRC,did the mailings of recording scheme newsletters, and in my spare time collected in the Brecks with Brian and learnt carabids. After this I had a complete set of the recording scheme newsletters, and never underestimated the importance of recording accurate data and ensuring that everything I collected always had full data accompanying it.

I journeyed to Cardiff to study on the now defunct postgraduate diploma in ‘Insect Taxonomy and Systematics’ at Cardiff University, this was as it turns out, the most fortuitous event in my entomological career. This course not only helped me better understand taxonomy and systematics, but also introduced me to John Deeming, Ashley Kirk-Spriggs, Mark Pavett and Mike Wilson at the National Museum and Galleries of Wales. Deeming with his infinite knowledge and attention to detail (and awful jokes) and Kirk-Spriggs with his exceptional curatorial skills provided me with the foundations to become a ‘proper’ museum curator. Mike was later to become my boss and encourage my research and curatorial skills, while Mark and I spent every available minute in the field competing for the best catch of the day.

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

After four years a job opening at the Hope Entomological Collections enticed me away from Wales. I started at the University Museum of Natural History as the collections technician under George McGavin, who has since gone on to become a bit of media star. At Oxford all the skills I had learnt from my mentors were brought into use, and I soon became fascinated by the historic collections and their treasures. I made numerous discoveries of supposed lost specimens, though in fact specimens are rarely lost in collections, just unrecognised for what they are. One of my most memorable discoveries was a number of Thomas Marshams’ British dung beetles described in his book Entomolgia Britannica (1802). Although since being in Oxford my work on the British fauna has dwindled, and I have concentrated on collections management and the re-curation of the historic collections, I still dabble with recording British insects.

I have ‘played’ with most invertebrate groups over the years, although cockroaches and dung beetles have always been, and will remain, my favourites. In the late eighties I was asked to review the new RES handbook by Jessop on dung beetles for the AES. Feeling that I ought to test the keys properly I delved into the world of coprophagous beetles and became a complete devotee. I have travelled the length and breadth of Britain for dung beetles, often going to historic localities for rare species and trying to re-discover them, and frequently failing! I am lucky enough to be the National Scheme organiser for the Scarabaeoidea, though I have amassed much data, my main focus has been assisting others in their identification work and re-determining museum collections. The distribution maps I have at present tend to reflect where I have lived and collected or where I have friends who indulge my constant requests for material! Since the UK has for many groups a depauperate fauna, and dung beetles are no exception, I started doing a little collecting abroad and was blown away by the diversity. I now conduct most of my fieldwork overseas, studying dung beetle ecology and taxonomy.

Paul Brock (left); Stan Bowestead (Middle) & Darren Mann (right). Dung beetling in the New Forest

My early inspirational experiences in museums and the mentorship I was privileged to receive always made me feel that museums were the places for enthusiasts to have access to literature and reference collections, and to gain help and advice on identifications and best practises. I am now in the fortunate position of being able to offer access to a wonderful collection for those interested in using it. Over the years we have hosted numerous entomological societies meetings, from AGMs to workshops, and with the AES host two annual events for ‘bug-mad’ children.

Unfortunately, the current situation is dire for local museums and many no longer have dedicated natural history staff. In fact, my birthplace, the HAGM, no longer has a curator for, what I believe to be, one of the finest and most comprehensive British Insects Collections. The HAGM houses such national treasures as the collections of H.W. Daltry and J.W. Saunt, as well as the material from the ecological surveys of Wright, Barnett, Lane and Falk. I know I for one would not be where I am today without the early influence and guidance of my local museum curators!

Visit the British Entomological and Natural History Society website