Bugs & Beach Night Exploration

Join us for a presentation from UCF graduate student Ethan Wright, ID insects drawn to a light screen, and go on a UV night hike from dune to lagoon.

Ethan Wright, is a graduate student with Dr. Kwapich's lab which works on social insect behavior, with a focus mainly on ants. Within these ant colonies are parasitic arthropods that exploit their hosts, broadly referred to as "myrmecophiles". They can range from millipedes to crickets and beetles.

Ethan's work as a student in her lab focuses on these nest parasites and the behaviors they utilize to manipulate their hosts, as well as the effects that they have upon a host colony. Ethan will give a talk on some of the super neat diversity of myrmecophile species that can be found in Florida and their even more diverse strategies for living in ant nests. Ethan will also share some of his research and lead an insect ID activity with a light screen.

Following Ethan's talk, we will take a hike from dune to lagoon and along the beach, weather permitting. We will responsibly use UV light to look for biofluorescent organisms.

You should bring bring personal needs like water and snacks. Long sleeves and long pants recommended. You should be able to walk one mile in the dark on uneven ground to participate in the night hike component. Not recommended for young children. All children must be under direct supervision of a parent.

You are welcome to come to just the talk and bug screen activity and skip the hike. This program will start promptly at 6 p.m. and anticipated to end by 7 p.m. immediately followed by the hike.

Please enroll here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bugs-and-beach-talk-night-exploration-tickets-1981429520033?aff=oddtdtcreator

Photo credits:

Ethan Wright: experimental founding colonies of Crematogaster ashmeadi with a parasitic beetle endemic to Florida, Gnostus floridanus

You may also like the following events from Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program:

• This Saturday, 31st January, 11:00 am, Reptile talk in Titusville
• This Sunday, 1st February, 11:00 am, Sams Touch Table in Sharpes
• Next Saturday, 7th February, 10:00 am, 14th Annual Pioneer Day in Sharpes