Cat Eccles joined cross-party colleagues in Westminster to pledge support for insect life and entomology education

Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles has joined colleagues from across the political spectrum in Westminster to back a campaign championing insect science.

Eccles backed the Stand Tall For The Small campaign, run by the Royal Entomological Society (RES), a global organisation devoted to the understanding and development of insect science.

Insect Week takes place in the last week of June every year and this year aimed to inspire young people to pursue careers in entomology at a time when insect populations around the world are declining.

Cat Eccles MP said: “Insects are critical to pollinating many of the crops we rely on, recycle nutrients and support the natural systems that sustain life on Earth.

“There is still much to discover about these remarkable animals and the complex roles they play in our world.

“We hope Insect Week will inspire children and young people to develop a lasting interest in insect science and the natural world.”

Resources for schools and families

The RES has published three free, curriculum-linked classroom resources for primary and secondary schools, tailored to children aged five to 14 and built around a Discover, Observe, Protect framework.

Citizen science surveys such as the Big Butterfly Count and the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme track fluctuations in bee, butterfly, hoverfly and beetle populations across the UK.

The Stand Tall For The Small campaign is supported by the Bees, Pollinators and Invertebrates All Party Parliamentary Group.

Schools and families can explore free activities at royensoc.co.uk/insectweek or visit one of the Insect Week City Hubs across the UK and Ireland.