2018 FIELD ENTOMOLOGY COURSE TO COSTA RICA

Field Entomology (ENVS*4260): Apr. 27 - May 12, 2018

Instructors: Dr. Cynthia Scott-Dupree (cscottdu@uoguelph.ca, 824-4120 x52477) Insect pest management & scientific protocol; Rm. 2110 Bovey Bldg

Dr. Steve Marshall (samarsha@uoguelph.ca, 824-4120 x52720) Insect diversity/systematics; Rm. 1211 Bovey Bldg.

Dates: Departure - Apr. 27 9:15am; Return - May 12, 2018 8:40 pm; Toronto to Liberia, CR return.

Direct flight by Westjet. Location: Soltis Center for Research and Education (http://soltiscentercostarica.tamu.edu/) - owned by Texas A&M University. The Center is located in San Juan de Peñas Blancas, San Ramón, Costa Rica and is approximately 3.0 hours from Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, Costa Rica and about 30 minutes from La Fortuna at the base of Volcan Arenal. The property backs onto the largest private nature reserve in Costa Rica.

Estimated Cost: ~$2500 (includes $150 contingency fee for unanticipated costs) Course fee covers everything (all transportation, meals, lodging, field equipment and supplies, and most tips) except medications, departure tax ($36.50 CDN) and travel insurance. If the exchange rate erodes substantially, a revised course fee will be set in March, 2018. Payment can be made in 2 installments.

Prerequisites: 3 or more courses in biological sciences; ENVS*3090 or equivalent encouraged. Evaluation:

Experiments relating to insect ecology, behavior or pest management (Dr. Cynthia Scott-Dupree) 50% Insect diversity component (Dr. Steve Marshall) 50% Description: An introduction to observation, sampling, and research on insects in the field. Daily activities are divided between designing and implementing field research studies and observing/collecting insects to fulfill the “insect diversity” component of the course. There will be occasional lectures and discussions concerning the flora/fauna of Costa Rica, scientific protocol and insect systematics/taxonomy. Each student will: (1) participate in a group study focusing on insect behavior/ecology/management; (2) learn basic insect collecting and identification techniques; (3) conduct and record detailed observations of insects.

Contact: E-mail Dr. Scott-Dupree (cscottdu@uoguelph.ca) with questions, to get details on the course, and to receive instructions on the application process.

Application deadline: 06 Nov, 2017.