Cambridge Entomological Club meeting Tuesday 10/14

[Michael LaScaleia]

Join us for a meeting of the Cambridge Entomological Club!

Date: Tuesday, October 14th @7:30 PM EST

Location: In Person in MCZ101A, or on Zoom

Title: Sodium and Termites in the Republic of the Congo

Speaker: Katherine Angier

Summary: Beyond the hundred or so species of termites that are considered structural and agricultural pests, there are over 3,000 species performing crucial ecological roles as decomposers. This is especially prominent in tropical rainforests, where termite diversity is highest, and tropical savannas, where they account for the majority of wood decomposition. Yet despite their incredible diversity and biomass, the environmental factors influencing these patterns of community structure remain poorly understood. In this talk, I will focus on soil nutrients, and sodium in particular. As detritivores, termites have sodium needs that are orders of magnitude greater than is found in the plant material they consume. My work in the forest-savanna mosaics in the Republic of the Congo looks at the association between termite communities and natural salt licks called bais – a source of sodium scattered throughout the landscape – and the implications for decomposition rates.

NOTICE: We will be holding hybrid meetings to accommodate COVID-19 precautions and audience members from around the world. You can join our Zoom meeting by clicking here.

For those able to attend, we will have an informal dinner at 6:00 pm at Cambridge Common Restaurant with the speaker, followed by our formal meeting (7:30 - 9:00 pm) in room MCZ101A of the Museum of Comparative Zoology (there will be signs to help direct). The meeting will begin with club announcements, followed by a 60-minute presentation by the invited speaker and Q&A. Membership is open to amateur and professional entomologists - that means everyone!