Tuesday, November 13, 2012

7:30 PM

Insects on the edge of America: exploration and discovery on the southern border of the USA

MCZ 101, 26 Oxford Street, Harvard University

Praying mantis from the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Josh worked for three and a half years as head biologist of the World Birding Center in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of extreme southern Texas. During that time he met entomologists collecting and describing species new to science, naturalists exploring the biology of little-known insects, and photographers hoping to document rare tropical vagrants that had wandered across the border from Mexico. He will share some of what they have been discovering down there.

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 6 PM) at the West Side Lounge restaurant.

CEC meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month from October through May. The evening schedule typically includes an informal dinner (6:00 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.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

7:30 PM

Singing Leaves: The stories and songs of the crickets and Katydids

MCZ 101, 26 Oxford Street, Harvard University

John Himmelman: Author, Speaker and Illustrator

“It begins in April with the calling of the Spring Field Crickets. By late summer the night chorus of insects has reached its crescendo, dominating the aural tapestry of field, yard and forest. The songs then fade gradually until we’re left with the lone sputtery trill of the Carolina Cricket playing us into winter”

Mr. Himmelman will introduce the audience to both the insects that produce these wonderful songs and the adventures undertaken to find and record them in the eastern US. His talk will be accompanied by photos, audio recordings and his outstanding artwork.

John is author/illustrator of Cricket Radio: Tuning in the night-singing insects and Guide to Night-singing Insects of the Northeast.  He has also authored and illustrated many popular children’s books. A selection of his work will be available for purchase following his talk.

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 6 PM) at the West Side Lounge.

CEC meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month from October through May. The evening schedule typically includes an informal dinner (6 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.