The Irritable Insect

His topic is enticing: "The Irritable Insect."

We've all found a few species of insects irritable; some more than others. (Apiculturists know how grumpy bees are when they open a hive on a cold, rainy day.)

Now Bernie Roitberg, professor at the Centre for Pest Management, Department of Biosciences at Simon Fraser University, British Columbla, has taken "The Irritable Insect" to the next level.

He'll speak on that topic Wednesday, March 30 when the UC Davis Department of Entomology launches its spring seminar lecture series.

Roitberg explains about his talk: "Across a broad range of taxa, animals express a wide range of responses when confronted with potentially dangerous situations.  I will use a general theory of irritability to explain why and how such plasticity is ubiquitous.  I will then describe a series of experiments on aphids, mosquitoes, parasitic wasps and beetles that test predictions from this theory." 

Roitberg, whose areas of expertise include behavioral ecology, population ecology, and chemical ecology, received his bachelor's degree from Simon Fraser, his master's degree for the University of British Columbia, and his doctorate in entomology from the University of Massachusetts. Last year he received a lifetime achievement award from the Pest Management Association, B.C.

His talk March 30 takes place from 12:10 to 1 p.m. in 122 Briggs. Host is professor Jay Rosenheim.