DEST SUMMER COURSE ON PARASITIC WASPS TAXONOMY

Collecting methods and identification of parasitic wasps, with special emphasis on Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera)

The parasitic wasps are one of the most diverse groups of insects. They are of tremendous importance in regulating insect populations and are increasingly used in biological control worldwide. Chalcidoidea is the second largest superfamily of parasitic wasps after Ichneumonoidea, with over 3,000 genera and 22,000 species already described. Their diversity is still very poorly known (up to 500,000 species may exist) and their identification often proves difficult even for the expert. The proposed training aims to introduce the students into the fascinating world of chalcids, provide information about specific and appropriate methods of collecting and mounting, as well as present and explain the most important morphological characters used for their identification.

For registration, go to the course presentation on the DEST - Taxonomy Training webpage.