Laboratory Activities
BioBlitz, 2009
A BioBlitz is a 24 hour biological survey of a given area. Teams with expertise in different types of living organisms are brought in to determine what species are present in the area. These round-the-clock events are a quick and exciting way to learn about many different types of organisms, and to share your expertise and enthusiasm for your favorite group of species. We never miss an opportunity to take part in these events, and our record stands at two Bioblitz events per year in recent years. For information on past events: Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area 2010
Camping Trip, May 2005
Entomology graduate students and two faculty members met at the Feldun-Purdue Agriculture Center for a weekend of camping and insect collecting in May of 2005. Despite the variable weather we came away with some interesting specimens from forest, creek, pond and limestone quarry habitats. Several new and experienced entomologists showed their enthusiasm, using headlamps to collect in the forest well past midnight.
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Insect movement
The movement of animals between different habitat patches in part determines the ability of populations to remain extant. We are interested in techniques and technologies that allow the study of movement of insects within landscapes that are a mosaic of different land uses. We have used UV and flight intercept traps to capture insects in non-habitat areas to find which species are likely to move through these areas.
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Insect rearing
Because wood-living beetles spend much of their lives well hidden, there is very little known about them. We are using various rearing techniques to get further information on host wood species and condition, generation times, and possibly parasitoid species.
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