North to Alaska: from NextGen sequencing to Citizen Science aiming to understand the subarctic and Arctic biodiversity
Scientists estimate that there are over 7.5 million species of plants and animals that have yet to be discovered and described. But in a world where extinction may outpace discovery, and global changes are occurring at a faster rate in Arctic and subarctic regions, like Alaska, how can citizen scientists get involved? Join me as I share how residents in Alaska helped me discover and describe a new species of snakeworm gnat (Diptera) and how I used DNA barcoding (nanopore sequencing technology) to find 50 new species of Phoridae (Diptera).
An overview of insect sensory systems and why we study them
Damon Crook
Insect Chemical Ecologist
APHIS USDA MA
The Forest Pest Methods Laboratory in Cape Cod, MA, provides research and tools for detection, survey and control of exotic pests that safeguard the agricultural commodities, natural resources, and trade of the USA. Our lab provides method development for commodity treatments, Biocontrol, Molecular ID, Trapping, Lure Development and General Ecology/Behavior. An important part of our labs research is to identify attractants for new invasive pests so that monitoring surveys can be quickly established. This presentation will give a brief overview of insect sensory systems and the electrophysiological methods we use to study them. Research examples from our lab will include important invasive pests such as the emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis, Asian Longhorn Beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis and the coconut rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros.
