Lecture: Wednesday 28 June 2023
Speaker: Dr Mikhaila L. Gordon, Assistant Curator, Iziko Entomology department
Title: The Journey thus far: Taxonomy and Systematics of the Afrotropical parasitoid
Darwin wasp genus Netelia (Tryphoninae, Ichneumonidae)
Venue: TH Barry Lecture Theatre Iziko South African Museum
25 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town
Time: 11:00
Cost: Members on presentation of valid 2023 membership card – free of charge
Non-members: A donation of R30.00
Darwin wasps are one of the most species-rich families in the Hymenopteran order. Wasps are known to be natural controllers of other insects and, therefore, contribute significantly to the way an ecosystem operates. All Darwin wasps are parasitoids, which means that they are required to live in or on another insect in order to develop, grow and mature. Therefore, species belonging to the Darwin wasp family has the potential for being used in biocontrol programmes within the South African agricultural sectors.
How do we go about figuring this out? This talk explores the potential the Afrotropical genus Netelia to be used as a biocontrol agent.
