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Tributes have been pouring in on Twitter following the sad loss of Professor Simon Leather. Below are just some of the many heartfelt words his friends and colleagues have shared. Read our tribute here. 

 

We are very sad to report the death of Professor Simon Leather. passed peacefully last night. He will be dearly missed by his friends, colleagues and students.

From all of us, thank you Simon. will not be the same without you.

— MSc Entomology HAU (@EntoMasters)

An honour to have been mentored by the wonderful through my time at . Unbelievably sad news but I am grateful for the wisdom and enthusiasm he shared, as well as his contribution to Entomology across the country. I stand in my mosquito lab today proud.

— Elin Cunningham (@elin_cunningham)

This has been really hard to hear today. A wonderful, passionate and kind man. you will be missed by so many of us.??

— Kim Chadwick (@KimChadwick17)

So sorry to hear this. Simon supported and inspired so many and was a giant in his field. He will be greatly missed. Our condolences to his family and colleagues.

— Forest Research (@Forest_Research)

A great loss. Simon was a colossus of an inspiration to so many of us and a tireless advocate for our field. It was a pleasure to learn from him whenever we crossed paths or worked together at events - any of us will do well to leave half as much a legacy.

— Lewis 'Horticultural Lad' Bartlett (@BeesAndBaking)

So sad to hear this. Simon was an incredibly supportive and helpful Associate Editor on from 2005 - 2014. He also took great pleasure in pointing out when there hadn't been an insect on the cover in a while! Fittingly, here’s this month’s. We’ll miss you

— Journal of Animal Ecology (@AnimalEcology)

Very sad to hear this. Simon was a powerful voice for entomology and for education to be fully recognised in research strong universities. I was hoping he was on the road to recovery …. He will be missed and aphids have lost their biggest advocate as have applied ecologists.

— Guy Poppy CB (@GuyPoppy1)

So sad to hear this - a great loss to ecology, a terrific champion for invertebrates and a wonderful source of thoughtful ideas & discussions on here, always delivered with kindness & humour.

— Dan Hoare (@DJHbutterflies)

This is such sad news, Simon will be hugely missed by so many of us at Harper Adams. Besides Entomology, some may not know of Simon's collection of roundabout photos on his blog. My thoughts are with his family

— Tom Klages (@TomKlages)

I have just seen the very sad news about . Simon was a great, and much admired, academic, an inspiration to many in the field of entomology and a lovely man. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and condolences are with his family and all his colleagues

— David Llewellyn (@DLlewellyn)

Very sad to hear this news. The comments here speak volumes to the influence Simon has had on many of us over the years. He'll be badly missed.

— Owen Lewis (@OwenTLewis)

So very sad to read this. Simon was one of the loveliest bug men, and so wonderfully supportive and encouraging of my own bug man during a very traumatic time, keeping him safe in the insect world.
Thinking about his all his family, friends & colleagues.
RIP, Aphid Fanboi. ????

— Dr Juliet Dukes (@DrDoox)

I am deeply sorry to hear this. I too knew Simon from the BES Summer Schools. He really was such an inspiration. I developed a huge fondness of all things insect thanks to him. In fact I always think of "EntoProf" whenever I see an insect! He was the person to ask! ??????????

— William Kay ?????‍???? (@willpkay)

Awful news. was a genuine, lovely man and a great academic. Always good to talk to about science. Will never forget him showing the ento museum to my daughter, Emily, when she was 5 - she still remembers Professor Leather. Thoughts are with his family

— Matthew Back ???? (@DrMattBack)

Sad news about such service to & :
Elected FRES 1978, Honorary Fellow 2015
Trustee 1993-96 & 2011-14
Editor, Antenna 1992-95; 1999-2003; 2008-21
Ed board
Chair, Library Comm 2018-21

— Royal Ent Soc (@RoyEntSoc)

Saddened to hear of his death. I feel like I lost a walking buddy. He breached the chasm of a harsh medium to bring such cheery supportiveness to those of us who knew him through Twitter. My condolences to his family.

— Robin Rosetta (@PNWNurseryIPM)

So very sad to hear of the passing of . I filmed this ‘A is for Aphids’ video at back in 2013. Absolutely worthy of a watch, Simon at his best.

— Janine MH (@JanineHfarming)

This is so sad. Simon was a huge influence, and my life would have turned out so differently without him. To echo others in this thread, we should all try to be a lot more like him. Will miss immensely.

— Tom Rhys Bishop (@TomRBishop)

Such shocking and sad news about one of the best known entomologists anywhere - in no small part due to his insightful, challenging witty and often simply domestic postings of his life and illness on twitter. He will be greatly missed.

— Phil Stevenson (@chickpeaman)

was a very lovely,kind, modest and inspiring human being. Let alone the passionate & engaging scientist he was. I learnt a lot about entomology even though it was never my area, just by talking to him & staying connected after HAU. Very sad. Thoughts are with his family

— Dr Yara Boubou (@Dr_yrboubou)

So sorry to hear this sad news. Simon was an inspiring leader in science and trained generations of entomologists. Condolences to his family and his colleagues at

— Nicola Spence (@plantchief)

Such incredibly sad news. Simon’s intelligence, friendship, enthusiasm and humour touched so many of us. RIP Simon.

— John Reade (@DrJohnReade)

I don't normally tweet on twitter but today I will. Sad hearing the passing of my former lecturer who taught me everything with aphids and entomology. He will be greatly missed. RIP ??

— Jack Weatherington (@JackColeFormi)

This is very sad news. Like so many others, I wouldn’t be working in entomology without Simon’s encouragement and support. He inspired so many of his students to become ecologists and entomologists. Please pass on condolences to his family.

— Katy Reed (@katylreed)

Heartbreaking news. He has been taken from us far too soon. I am forever grateful for his mentor ship. He’ll be sorely, sorely missed. My thoughts are with Gill and his family, and you and the Harper staff, Andy. Sending love and support your way.

— Ashleigh Whiffin (@AshWhiffin)

Simon was an incredible man who inspired so many. He hugely supported me as I know he did others. A great loss to the entomological community & beyond. Rest well friend, may you continue to wear the best insect T-shirts with pride. Heartfelt thoughts are with Gill & the family

— Sally-Ann Spence (@minibeastmayhem)

Oh what? Absolutely awful news. A giant of the ento world, with a distinctly playful streak.

— Gary W Hartley (@garyfromleeds)

A great loss for entomology, ecology, and science communication. was such a lovely presence on this website. My condolences to his family and friends. Thank you for sharing him with the world.

— Marianne Alleyne ???????????????? (@Cotesia1)

So sad to hear this news. He was the most delightful, humorous person and made entomology accessible to so many.

— Vince Smith (@doleyman)

RIP,

He was a role-model to a lot of bug SciCommers, and his passing leaves a big hole in our community.

— Ask An Entomologist (@BugQuestions)

So sad to hear about the death of Simon Leather. He was always so helpful with entomological queries and was so fun and inspiring. I’ll miss him

— Kate Bradbury ???‍?? (@Kate_Bradbury)

We are deeply saddened to hear of Professor Simon Leather's passing (). His contribution to entomology, the ecological community, and the BES was invaluable, and our deepest sympathies are with his family, friends, and colleagues.

— British Ecological Society (@BritishEcolSoc)

What a lovely man, with a great sense of integrity and a great sense of fun. A wonderful advocate for insects and for science, a challenging PhD external examiner (I know), and the first person to look for at conferences. RIP Simon

— Rob Wilson (@RobWilsonMNCN)

Very sad news about Simon AKA . He will be remembered by the legions he taught as an outstanding champion for insects and entomology, and by so many as a mighty fine friend and colleague. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

— James M Cook (@jimpelaJMC)

That is very kind of you to say Erica.

Twitter has made it clear today he has left us wealth of wonderful entomologists which he taught/mentored/helped over the years, many of which are now helping out others (including me!) and spreading the love of inverts. A great legacy

— Neil Phillips (@UK_Wildlife)

Sad news that the ultimate entomology advocate, mentor and all round wonderful human has passed. His legacy lives on in the countless entomologists he inspired with his endless enthusiam, passion and knowledge.

— Dr Jess French (@Zoologist_Jess)

It was an honour to be at Harper at the same time as and the moment I met him he told me 'I had the entomology beard' which has always made me chuckle! It is heartwarming to see all the love for him and so sad and surreal to hear this. He will live on in so many ways x

— Graham Smith (@Ento_Bento)