Plenary Session

This year we’re lucky to welcome two Ontario entomologists to the ESO 2010 Plenary Session; Sherah VanLaerhoven of the University of Windsor and Amanda Moehring, from the University of Western Ontario.

Dr. Sherah VanLaerhoven, University of Windsor

My research program is focused on basic questions regarding mechanisms of assembly dynamics within insect communities, evaluation of abiotic and biotic factors impacting insect community structure, and specific questions regarding foraging decisions, behaviour and interactions between insects. Building on these basic themes, my research program asks applied questions in various disciplines:

1) forensic science: error rates and method validation in postmortem interval estimation of homicide victims using insects, development of insect community assembly/succession databases and mechanisms of importance, development of insect developmental data for use in postmortem interval estimates, evaluation of insect evidence, expert witness testimony
2) biological control– primarily in greenhouse production, but also field crop production and forestry: utilizing a food web approach to integration and use of biocontrol agents for improved crop production, reduced pesticide inputs and as models for invasive species and climate change, manipulation of insect behaviour, plant breeding, identification of new native biocontrol agents, evaluation of invasive species, and waste management using insects.

My research relies on partnerships with government (Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada; Office of the Chief Coroner, Office of the Fire Marshal, Ontario Police College, York Regional Police, Windsor Police, Ontario Provincial Police and other law enforcement agencies), industry (BC Greenhouse Growers, Ontario Greenhouse Growers, Ontario Soybean Growers, Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority and others) and other researchers both here as well as at other universities in Canada and the USA (University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Simon Fraser University, University of Montreal, University of Laval, Wayne State University, Texas A&M University and others).

Integrating principles of ecology into forensic entomology & the current paradigm shift

Since the inception of forensic entomology approximately 130 years ago, patterns of insect colonization and changes in the communities on carrion have been documented numerous times and in numerous geographic locations around the world. Despite this, very little progress has been made towards understanding the mechanisms of community assembly and species interactions. This presentation will provide an overview of the discipline of forensic entomology, our current understanding of the carrion system, research directions and progress, and the paradigm shift occurring in the forensic science using Regina v. Truscott as an example.

Dr. Amanda Moehring, University of Western Ontario

The Moehring lab studies the genetics of complex traits, in particular those that underlie species isolation.  Our two main areas of research focus on the genetic basis of mating behaviour and the genetic basis of hybrid sterility.  Additional projects in the lab include the genetics of pheromone production, neurodegeneration, and environmental adaptation.  We use the model system of Drosophila due to the extensive genetic and molecular tools this species offers, as well as the availability of species that can be hybridized in the laboratory. We use a mix of quantitative genetics, molecular genetics, behavioural assays and genomics in order to understand complex traits.

Sex, flies and videotape: the genetics of speciation

One of the great unanswered questions in biology is how new species are formed and maintained.  Differences in the courtship and mating behaviour between populations are thought to be the first step leading to species isolation, yet the genetic basis of these traits remains unknown, creating a critical obstacle towards our understanding of the speciation process.  Using the powerful genetic tools available in Drosophila, we found that a single locus for female preference is enough to induce, but not alleviate, female choosiness in a species-specific manner.  Likewise, a single locus for the male trait could induce, but not alleviate, male unattractiveness in a species-specific manner. Surprisingly, the genes for male trait and female preference are located very close together in the genome.  This provides the first empirical evidence to support theoretical models that rely on genetic linkage to explain how novel trait/preference combinations and runaway sexual selection arise.