Watch the zoom recording of John Heraty’s talk here
Tuesday, December 14th, 2021
Virtual Zoom Meeting
7:30 PM EST
Chalcidoid Wasps and the Interface of Systematics and Biology
John Heraty
Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside
Abstract:
Chalcidoid wasps may be the most diverse group of insects on the planet, and yet they are very poorly understood or even recognized. The talk will focus on their diversity, some unusual biologies, and touch on their phylogenetics and the future classification of the group. There will be a more detailed look a group of ant-parasitoid chalcidoid wasps, the Eucharitidae. These wasps deposit their eggs remote from the host and the first-instar larvae have a series of unusual behaviors that they use to get into the ant nest where they attack the ant brood. Equally important, eucharitid adults have unique behaviors and means of chemical mimicry to get themselves out of the nest. Overall, it is a combination of natural history, taxonomy and phylogeny that help us to better understand these fascinating insects.
Due to visitor restrictions on Harvard campus and COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, we are temporarily suspending all physical meetings and formal pre-talk dinners until further notice.
CEC meetings are normally held the second Tuesday of the month from October through May. The evening schedule typically includes an informal dinner (5:45 to 7:15 PM) followed by our formal meeting (7:30 – 9:00 PM). The latter begins with club business and is followed by a 60-minute entomology related presentation. Membership is open to amateur and professional entomologists.
