Nate Edelman

Tuesday May 9th

07:30 PM

Broad-scale hybridization in Heliconius Butterflies

MCZ 101, 26 Oxford Street, Harvard University

Nate Edelman

Harvard University

 

Hybridization among closely related species has important consequences for the processes of speciation and evolution, and for their study. For example, it can obscure evolutionary histories or enable adaptation through introgression. I’m interested in how these actions play out in nature, and will explore an extreme case study of hybridization between two species of Heliconius butterflies in South America. Heliconius elevatus and H. pardalinus range throughout the Amazon basin, but these species have strongly different ecological characteristics, most strikingly their mimetic color patterns. Hybrids are at a distinct disadvantage, as their intermediate color pattern does not mimic other toxic butterflies in the region. However, genomic analysis revealed that Amazonian H. elevatus and H. pardalinus populations are extremely closely related, almost as if they were a single large population. Through a combination of field and molecular studies, we attempt to unpack this relationship and identify the evolutionary history and forces at play.

The talk is free and open to the public. The meeting is readily accessible via public transportation. Parking is available in the Oxford Street Garage with advance arrangement, as described here, or (usually but not always) at spaces on nearby streets. Everyone is also welcome to join us for dinner before the talk (beginning at 5:45 PM) at the Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave., Cambridge.

CEC meetings are 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 50 minute entomology related presentation. Membership is open to amateur and professional entomologists.

Damon Crook

Tuesday Apr 11th

07:30 PM

Chemical Ecology and Behavior of the Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Longhorned Beetle

MCZ 101, 26 Oxford Street, Harvard University

Damon J.Crook

USDA

 

Emerald Ash borer (EAB) Agrilus planipennis and the Asian longhorned Beetle (ALB) Anoplophora glabripennis, are considered to be two of the most serious invasive pests of deciduous trees in North America. Efficient monitoring traps are needed to detect and delimit new introductions and assess population densities of established infestations. Development of a monitoring trap for these pests are hindered by their complex sequence of mating behaviors.

EAB and ALB mating involves host kairomones, male produced short range pheromones, female produced short range pheromones, female produced trail and cuticular contact pheromones, along with important visual cues. This presentation will discuss the complex chemical ecology of these insects and show what electrophysiological and behavioral research is currently being done at the Otis USDA laboratory with regards to identifying and testing new potential attractants and traps.

The talk is free and open to the public. The meeting is readily accessible via public transportation. Parking is available in the Oxford Street Garage with advance arrangement, as described here, or (usually but not always) at spaces on nearby streets. Everyone is also welcome to join us for dinner before the talk (beginning at 5:45 PM) at the Cambridge Common,1667 Mass Ave., Cambridge.

CEC meetings are 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 50 minute entomology related presentation. Membership is open to amateur and professional entomologists.

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