A Carman Entomologist (a person who studies insects) has learned valuable information on the impact of insects on agriculture.
The Canadian Entomological Society met jointly with the Canadian Society for Ecology & Evolution in New Brunswick back in August, and Dr. John Gavloski with Manitoba Agriculture was in attendance.
As an entomologist, Gavloski says his attendance at these meetings aids his work here in Manitoba, listening to different researchers and the results pertinent to agriculture.
"As we develop new crops we find out what insects are problems, and we constantly need to be doing more research. New insects are coming into Manitoba and across the prairies, so of course, there's a lot on those, let's call them newer or invasive insects. Even the ones we think we know there's probably more we could and should learn about them."
Some of the presentations during the four-day event included topics on agriculture, forestry, aquatic taxonomy, and of course entomology. The featured presentation was on the state of biological control in Canada, and Gavloski says it holds quite a lot of significance.
"It reviewed the successes we've had, the failures, and how we've changed our approach to biocontrol over the years. We're a point now where in order to do a release of anything you need a very large volume of data, showing what you're releasing attacks your target and not much else."
In the past, Gavloski says there wasn't as much background work needed. However, many non-target insects were negatively impacted, and the presentation discussed how regulations have changed over the years.
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