DEST - Taxonomy Training

Description of project:
Research project: In search of ancestral groups in Southeast Asia – partim Diptera. Dolichopodidae are predatory flies that have a regulatory function on populations of small insects and flies in particular. Xylobiont dolichopodids are particularly important for the control of xylophagous insects such as woodborers (Coleoptera, Scolytidae). In addition, they could be used in biological control of pest insects in nurseries of vegetables where insecticides cannot be used. Finally, the high diversity of dolichopodids and their narrow links to microhabitats make them ideal indicators in site quality assessments.

Duration of training:
3 weeks

Training period:
To be discussed with mentor

Target Audience:
MSc students, PhD students as well as for early career researchers

Practical experiences:

• Techniques (preparations, collection techniques)
• Identification of Dolichopodidae
• Linking faunistic data to the type of vegetation
• Data analysis: training in Excel, Access, Pcord (multivariate analysis), Photoshop and principles of Corel draw
• Experience in writing a scientific paper

Lectures:

• Systematics of the superfamily Empidoidea (Diptera) and family Dolichopodidae
• Zoogeography of the Oriental Realm
• Introduction to site quality assessment, databasing and collection management

Seminars:

• Feeding and mating behaviour in Dolichopodidae
• Dolichopodidae in mangroves
• Biodiversity research in Singapore: an example

Name of mentor/supervisor:
Dr. Patrick Grootaert

Institution:
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
Entomology Department
Vautierstraat 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium

Registration fee:
€ 300 (Euros)
Participants are responsible for their own travel and subsistence expenses.

Registration:
Deadline for registration: 1 October 2011
Participants will be notified by 14 October 2011 whether accepted to the training.
Click here for the registration form.

Payment:
Payment details and deadline will be provided upon acceptance to the training.