Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
October 18, 2001
Scientists buzzing at Canada's largest insect conference
Niagara Falls will be buzzing with insect scientists this weekend, as experts from across Canada and the United States gather to discuss research and important issues in the insect world.
The joint meeting between the Entomological Societies of Canada and Ontario is being held at the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel on Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls, Oct. 20-24. Media are invited to attend the conference. Highlights include sessions dealing with the management of insects in vineyards and fruit orchards, new information on West Nile Virus, and updates on new insects introduced to Canada. Food security and the interactions between humans and insects will also be addressed.
“This conference allows researchers to network with each other and the public while keeping us up-to-date on new discoveries,” said University of Guelph environmental biology professor Gard Otis, President of the Entomological Society of Ontario.
Two afternoon workshops on Sunday have been designed to appeal to amateur insect enthusiasts. The workshops run from 1 to 5:15 p.m. and will address “Entomology in Parks and Protected Spaces” and “Bringing Insects to the Public.” Anyone with an interest in insects is welcome to attend.
The scientific sessions continue through Wednesday. Key speakers include Dennis Avery, director of Global Food Issues of the Hudson Institute in Indiana, who will address issues of food security, and Mark Winston of Simon Fraser University, who will highlight the “nature wars” between people and insects.
The conference also features May Berenbaum of the University of Illinois, a world authority on insects in science fiction films. She will speak at a Tuesday evening banquet.
For more information and a full agenda see: http://www.utoronto.ca/forest/eso/agenda.htm
Contact:
Prof. Gard Otis,
Department of Environmental Biology
University of Guelph
(519) 824-4120, Ext. 2478
For media questions, contact
Communications and Public Affairs,
519-824-4120, Ext. 3338.
