Meeting 1135 Minutes

Minutes from the 1135th Meeting of the Cambridge Entomological Club

President David Lubertazzi called the 1135th meeting of the Cambridge Entomological Club to order at 7:20 pm on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at the Harvard University Herbarium lecture room. Approximately 22 members and guests were in attendance.

New business: Nomination and election of CEC officers for 2011-2012 year.

New officers are:

President: Jess Walden-Gray

Vice President:  Patrick Gorring

Treasurer:  Jonathan Rees

Secretary:  Andrea Golden

Executive Committee:  Edward Pleckavich, William Woods

Jonathan Rees presented the financial report for the 2010-2011 year. The Club took in about $800 over the past year.

4 perspective members were nominated: Milan Janda, Chris Baker, Leonora Bittleston and Jay Iwasaki

Our speaker was entomologist, conservation biologist, photographer, and former CEC president Piotr Naskrecki who discussed his recent work in a talk entitled “Katydids of South Africa: An exploration of a nearly unknown fauna”.

Dr. Naskrecki gave us a broad overview of his orthopteroid survey work in South Africa, beginning with a biogeographical and historical overview of the country’s katydid fauna with highlights of some of the interesting species radiations that have been uncovered. South Africa has many unique habitats including the Fynbos, cycad forests, deserts and grasslands. Dr. Naskrecki’s commentary was illustrated with his exceptional photographs of the insects in their habitats, some previously undescribed. Also documented were some of the hazards he encountered, including hyenas, poisonous snakes, lock-picking monkeys, and scary drivers.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 for discussion and refreshments.