AN INSECT study group has appointed an Oxford professor as its new president.

Prof Jeremy Thomas, left, a fellow at New College, was announced the president of the Royal Entomological Society last week.

He takes over from Professor Stuart Reynolds and took up the post after the group’s annual general meeting on Wednesday, June 6.

Prof Thomas has been professor of ecology at University of Oxford since 2007. Most of his career has been spent leading research teams trying to better understand changes in species.

He was the mastermind of the restoration of Maculinea (Large blue butterfly) to the UK following its extinction in 1979.

He is currently leading research into nature conservation, including predicting and easing the impacts of climate change.

He has written several natural history books.

The society will mark National Insect Week from June 25 to July 1, promoting awareness of the value of the insect world to the environment.