The Invasive Species Council of BC is hosting and upcoming webinar:

Presenter: Andrew Suarez  University of Illinois, Department of Animal Biology & Department of Entomology

Title: “Behavioural Approaches to the Study of Invasions”

Description: Andrew Suarez will discuss the behavioural approaches to his research, which suggests Argentine ants and fire ants are able to monopolize plant-based resources in introduced populations while being more predatory in their native ranges. Changes in trophic biology may allow introduced ant populations to attain higher worker densities relative to their native range where they co-exist with other ants in species rich communities. To examine the role of opportunity in invasion, Andrew’s research team is developing a database of ants intercepted in quarantine in the U.S., with data to be used to examine why some species succeed as invaders while others do not.

Bio: Andrew Suarez (www.life.illinois.edu/suarez) received his PhD from the University of California, San Diego in 2000. He was a Miller Research Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley and joined the University of Illinois’ faculty in 2003. He is now a Professor in the Departments of Entomology and Animal Biology. His research program capitalizes on the developmental and ecological flexibility of ants to investigate how polymorphism and specialization within complex societies contribute to their ecological success. Recent research in his lab includes the biomechanics of mandibles in trap-jaw ants, and using invasive species to understand the ecological consequences of global trade.