****Course is full for 2024*****

2022 FIELD ENTOMOLOGY COURSE TO COSTA RICA

Field Entomology (ENVS*4260): April 26 - May 14, 2022

Application deadline: 30 November, 2021

Instructors: 

• Dr. Andrew Young (andrew.young@uoguelph.ca, Insect diversity/systematics; Rm. 1211 Bovey Bldg)

Dates:

• Departure - April 26, Toronto to Liberia, CR direct on Westjet
• Return - May 14, Liberia, CR to Toronto direct on Westjet.

Location:

April 26 – May 13: Soltis Center for Research and Education (http://soltiscentercostarica.tamu.edu/) [2]-  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 western base of Volcan Arenal. The property backs onto the largest private nature reserve in Costa Rica.

May 13 – May 14: Hotel Velero– Guanacaste Coast right on the beach, near Liberia, CR and airport of departure.

Estimated Cost:

~$2700 

Course fee covers almost everything (all transportation, MOST meals, lodging, field equipment and supplies, and MOST tips). It does NOT INCLUDE medications, vaccinations (2 Covid vaccinations mandatory) and travel insurance (mandatory). If the exchange rate erodes substantially, a revised course fee will be set in March, 2022. Non-refundable deposit of $500 due by January 2, 2022. Balance is due March 15, 2022.

Prerequisites:

• 3 or more courses in biological sciences;
• ENVS*3090 or equivalent encouraged.
• Graduate students also can take the course and register under a ENVS Special Topics course number. MES students also are eligible.   

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.