Join Dr. István Miko to learn all about Micro Hymenoptera at the 2024 MES Winter Workshop!
Parasitoid wasps hold economic, ecological, and scientific importance as one of the most species-rich insect lineages. Beyond their significance, these tiny creatures are captivating in their own right. While precise identification typically demands expertise, the charismatic features of many lineages allow nonspecialists to recognize them. This workshop will delve into the biology, identification, and natural history of parasitoid wasps, offering insights into handling and imaging techniques. From cell phone imaging to advanced 3D reconstruction using Synchrotron-based micro-CT data, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of these small gems.
Note! We will be hosting a silent auction this year.
If you have entomology-related items (or time, such as teaching a skill) to donate, please start to think about them and gather things up to bring or to coordinate a pickup with Kathy Murray.
Event Image: Gryonoides garciai Masner & Mikó (publication here)
The event will be in-person at:
90 Blossom Ln, Augusta, ME 04330
Room 101 Deering Building
Parking is free, and come to the side door along the parking lot off of Blossom Lane.
Maine Entomological Society Winter Workshop:
Micro Hymenoptera
Saturday, February 3rd 2024 (9AM-2:00PM)
Note: If you have a laptop and microscope please bring them, also we’re looking for folks to bring a pastry to share in the morning with coffee.
Please label your personal equipment!
9:00AM – 9:30AM- Welcome and introductions, browse silent auction
9:30AM – 11:30AM - Hands on lecture: Participants will be given a variety of micro hymenopteran specimens which we will sort into morpho families. Dr. István Miko will then lead the group through each family discussing diagnostic features, life history etc.
11:30AM – 12:00PM – Student research talks by Monique Raymond, Samuel Jupin (undergrad) and Owen Bastille (intern) - University of New Hampshire
12:00PM – 12:30PM – Break for Lunch (lunch won’t be provided so please bring your own)
12:30-2PM – The afternoon session will commence with a lecture about different microscopy and imaging techniques as well as mounting techniques employed for studying this group of tiny insects. We will look at fossils as well as 3D models of specimens that Dr. Miko and his students are currently working on. If time allows we will also be using a free software package to create 3D models of some of the specimens to see their finer details/ structures.
Dr. István Miko
Biography:
István earned his master’s degree in Biology from Szeged University in 2001 and then earned his Ph.D. in environmental sciences in 2007, also from Szeged University. He is an evolutionary biologist and biodiversity researcher whose research is centered around insects. He is currently the manager of the UNH Collection of Insects and other Arthropods which houses about 700,000 pinned specimens.