Bark & Ambrosia Beetle Identification Workshop
May 19-23, 2025
Michigan State University-East Lansing, MI
Natural Science Building, Room 352
This three-day training will bring together Scolytinae taxonomy experts from federal agencies and universities to provide a small group of participants with hands-on, one-on-one training on how to identify specimens to genus and species in this difficult subfamily of insects. Microscopes and specimens will be provided for this identification-focused training. This training is designed for professionals dealing with Scolytinae on a regular basis who have some prior entomological and microscopy training. This includes state, federal, and private industry employees along with students and enthusiasts.
Program trainers:
Robert Rabaglia, Entomologist, USDA Forest Service (retired), Maryland Dept. of Agriculture
Richard Hoebeke, Taxonomic Entomologist, Associate Curator and Collection Manager, University of Georgia Collection of Arthropods
Marc DiGirolomo, Biological Scientist, USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection, Durham Field Office
Day 1, May 19 – Travel day
Day 2, May 20
9:00 – 9:30 Introductions and objectives for the workshop
9:30 – 10:15 Presentation on classification, key characters and terminology
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 12:00 Generic keys - examine prepared specimens and key to genus
12:00 – 1:30 Lunch on your own
1:30 – 2:00 Pointing & specimen preservation best practices
2:00 – 5:00 Continue keying specimens to genus
5:00 – 7:00 Social Outing (Dinner Provided)
Day 3, May 21
8:00 – 9:00 Common species in beetle survey traps
9:00 – 10:00 Specimen identification as a class
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 10:45 On-line tools and keys
10:45 – 12:00 Specimen identification as a class
12:00 – 1:30 Lunch on your own
1:30 – 3:00 Screening aides and identification of Ips and Dendroctonus
3:00 – 5:00 Identify specimens working with keys
Dinner on your own
Day 4, May 22
8:00 – 9:00 Xyleborini keys
9:00 – 10:00 Work on xyleborine specimen identification and keys
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 12:00 More Xyleborine identification and/or identification of participant specimens
12:00 – 1:30 Lunch on your own
1:30 – 5:00 Continue identification, questions and wrap up
Dinner on your own
Day 5, May 23 – Travel Day
A group room block will be available at The Graduate, East Lansing and is in walking distance to the workshop location. Once the room block has been finalized booking information will be emailed to participants.
Registration for Participants is open.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on May 9, 2025.
There are no openings available.
Accommodations
Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact two weeks prior to the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.