Washington State University’s entomology department will serve up three days of insect fun and education, April 7-9.
Robert Denno, a University of Maryland entomologist, will deliver the annual E. Paul Catts Lecture in two installments. The first will be following a dinner scheduled Thursday, April 7, at the Holiday Inn Express in Pullman. His topic will be “When Predators Eat Other Predators.”
Denno specializes in biological control, said Richard Zack, associate professor of entomology. Biological control is the use of living organisms, such as insects, parasitoids, and pathogens, to control weeds, insects and plant diseases.
A social hour is scheduled from 5 p.m., the dinner at 6 p.m. Denno will speak at 7 p.m. Dinner is $20. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Denno will speak on a related topic at 3:10 p.m., Friday, April 8, in room 354 of WSU’s Food Science and Human Nutrition Building.
The lecture is free and open to the public.
The department’s annual Insect Cinema Cult Classic is scheduled at 7 p.m. Friday, April 8, in room 276 of Todd Hall. The 1998 animated movie Antz and the 1962 Japanese horror move Mothra will be featured. Graduate students will provide commentary. The double feature is freeand open to the public.
On Saturday, April 9, the Entomology Club will host an Insect Expo at the Palouse Science Discovery Center, 2371 NE Hopkins Court in Pullman, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Insect displays will be featured along with live insects that people can handle, an observation beehive, insect fear factor experiences, insect cuisine, honey sales and some activities designed for small children.
The Catts lectureship honors the memory of E. Paul Catts, a professor and chair of the WSU entomology department. In addition to being an authority in the areas of medical and forensic entomology, Catts was noted for his ability to communicate effectively to a wide variety of audiences. The E. Paul Catts Memorial Lectureship features speakers who embody this spirit by their ability to make science accessible to the public.
Contact Zack at (509) 335-3394 or Barb Smith at (509) 335-5504 for further information about these events or to purchase tickets for the dinner.
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