Calendar of Events

Midwest Institute of Biological Control - - Techniques for Evaluating Natural Enemies The 2005 Midwest Institute for Biological Control short course, "Techniques for evaluating natural enemies", will be held June 13 - June 16, 2005 at The Ohio State University, Wooster Campus. The course will present information about the current techniques for evaluating the impact of natural enemies in various systems. Topics will include life table analysis to discriminate parasitization rates, ordination analysis to associate different species of natural enemies with various parameters, evaluation of parasitic nematodes releases, quality control of natural enemies, methods of release, evaluation of tritrophic interactions and evaluation of the impact of pesticides on natural enemies.

Each topic will be covered using a combination of lecture and hands on exercises. The lectures will include the use of handouts and slides and will be followed by hands on laboratories that will include live specimens and exercises. The hands on exercises will present examples from biological control programs used in ornamentals, greenhouses and field crops. All the techniques presented will be discussed in the context of their potential use in biological control/IPM programs. General knowledge about biodemographic techniques (i.e. life tables and ordination analysis) is helpful, but not required.

The course instructors will be:

• Dr. Luis Caņas, The Ohio State University.
• Dr. Casey Hoy, The Ohio State University.
• Dr. Dan Herms, The Ohio State University.
• Dr. Parwinder Grewal, The Ohio State University.
• Dr. Robert O'Neil, Purdue University.
• Dr. Raymond Cloyd, Illinois University.

This course is limited to 20 and it's designed for students, extension educators and growers. Registration is $160 for students and $325 for non-students, including post-docs. Off-campus lodging available (Approx. $55 + tax per night per room, but sharing rooms is encouraged to reduce costs). A "Ladybird Scholarship" will be made available to cover costs of registration and lodging (double room). More information about this scholarship will be included with registration packets, which will be available on or before April 15, 2005.

Address inquiries to Dr. Luis Caņas, The Ohio State University/OARDC, 1680 Madison Ave. Wooster, OH. 44691. Ph: (330) 263-3818, Fax: (330) 263-3686, email: canas.4@osu.edu.