Lecture series Insects and Society

Considerable declines in insect populations are reported frequently and for various places on Earth. The motto of the laboratory of Entomology at Wageningen University and Research has long been: No life on Earth without insects! Insects do not only provide the conditions for life on this planet but they are also an profound source of inspiration for people. Insects are delicious, important, beautiful, useful and provide important ecosystem services. What else do we want?

The role of insects in society

This lecture series provides a broad view of the role of insects in society with lectures by specialists at the boundaries of biodiversity, nutrition, culture, technical sciences, agriculture and entomology. There are ample opportunities to enjoy insects, if only we have an open mind for this. Insects can transmit deadly diseases but also help solving murders. Insects provide inspiration to artists, as well as the designers of men’s toilets. These and many more topics feature in Insects and Society.

Programme 2023:

From 11 January till 15 March 2023 the lecture series Insects and Society will be organised in the Forum building on Wageningen Campus. Entrance is free. Time: 20.00 - 22.00 hr

Course Insects and Society

To follow the course Insects and Society (ENT-51803) you need to attend all lectures and write an essay on a topic in which insects and society feature, e.g. insects and children books, insects and black magic, insects and pop music, insects and paintings, insects and science fiction etc etc Registration for Insects and Society (ENT-51803) can be done via SSC

Wednesday 11 January –THE FASCINATING AND AMAZING WORLD OF INSECTS
Why are insects the most abundant, most diverse, and most successful organisms on earth?
•Prof. Dr. Arnold van Huis and Prof. dr. Marcel Dicke – Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research. Alternating presentations


Wednesday 18 January –BIODIVERSITY AT RISK?
How to restore biodiversity in the Netherlands?
•Prof. dr. Louise Vet, Former-director (1999-2019) of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), and emeritus professor in Evolutionary Ecology at Wageningen University & Research .
Full of insects
•Aglaia Bouma, Naturalis, Leiden

Wednesday 25 January – INSECTS IN CULTURE
Insects used in music, medicine and as toys
•Prof. dr. Arnold van Huis – Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University
Insects as source of inspiration: from Bosch to Dali
•Prof. dr. Marcel Dicke – Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University


Wednesday 1 February – The damaging effect of insecticides
Pesticides kill more than we like
Prof. dr. Marcel Dicke – Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University

Ecology-based sustainable pest management by crop mixtures
Prof. dr. Erik H. Poelman - – Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University

2 weeks break

Wednesday 22 February – INSECTS TO FEED THE WORLD

Potential of insects as food in assuring food security
•Prof. dr. Arnold van Huis – Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University
Is it safe to eat insects?
•Prof.dr. Ine van der Fels-Klerx, Wageningen Food Safety Research and Department of Business Economic, Wageningen University & Research


Wednesday 1 March – ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
Importance of insect diversity for pollination of crops
•Prof. dr. Koos Biesmeijer, Naturalis, Leiden
Insects in poop
•Jeroen Helmer, ARK Natuurontwikkeling, Nijmegen


Wednesday 8 March – INSECTS AND TECHNOLOGY
What insects can teach us about drones and what drones can teach us about insects
•Prof. Dr. Guido de Croon, Micro Air Vehicle lab., Faculty Aerospace Engineering (Control & Simulation), Delft University of Technology
Maneuvering flight in insects and bio-inspired robots
•Dr Florian Muijres – Experimental Zoology Group, Wageningen University

Wednesday 15 March – TICKS AND LYME DISEASE
The risk of new diseases transmitted by ticks: TICKing time bombs?
•Dr. Sander Koenraadt – Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University
How environmental changes trigger tick-borne disease outbreaks
•Dr. Helen Esser, Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, Wageningen University & Research