ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO

161th Annual General Meeting
Entomology in a Multidisciplinary World
October 4-6, 2024

Message from the Organizers

We are very excited to announce that the 2024 ESO meeting will be held at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) on October 4-6 2024. UTSC is just minutes from the Rouge National Urban Park and the Toronto Zoo, and the conference will highlight a walk in the Campus Valley Land Trail and an optional hike in the Rouge to end the meeting. The theme for this year is 'Entomology in a Multidisciplinary World' and we aim to highlight the many ways that insect science has significant applications in careers and collaborations across academia, government and industry.
 
Entomology is a crucial skill to help solve big problems that require multidisciplinary knowledge. In agriculture, entomologists help manage pest populations, promoting sustainable farming practices and food security. In medicine, they contribute to understanding vector-borne diseases, thereby aiding in public health initiatives and the development of control strategies. Entomologists also play a vital role in applied sciences by identifying and studying insects, including pollinators, decomposers, and others that maintain ecosystems. Forensic entomology provides critical insights into criminal investigations through the study of insect activity on decomposing bodies. Additionally, the study of insect behaviour, physiology, and genetics contributes to advancements in biotechnology and materials science. In a world facing complex challenges, the expertise of entomologists enables solutions that we hope to highlight at the 2024 Entomological Society of Ontario Annual General Meeting at UTSC.

Registration is now open! All attendants must register using Eventbrite so that we can ensure the meeting is inclusive and enjoyable for everyone. Full conference registration includes a Friday evening mixer, plenary session, regular talks and poster session, lunches, a Saturday banquet, and coffee breaks.
 
Please watch this website for an updated agenda soon. We can’t wait to see you there!

Entomological Society of Ontario Meeting Code of Conduct

Plenary and Banquet Speakers

Dr. Laurence Packer

Dr. Laurence Packer is a distinguished melittologist and professor at York University in Toronto, Canada. Renowned for his expertise in bee phylogenetics and taxonomy, he has described over 200 new species, dedicating his career to studying bees. Dr. Packer's research has significantly advanced the understanding of bee diversity, behaviour, and conservation. He founded the Packer Lab at York University (PCYU), a leading research facility with one of the best and most diverse collections of bees worldwide. An author of numerous scientific publications and four books, Dr. Packer is also committed to public education, raising awareness about the crucial role bees play in ecosystems and the threats they face. His work continues to inspire future generations of entomologists.

Jessica Linton

Jessica Linton is a Senior Biologist and Project Manager at Natural Resource Solutions Inc. (NRSI), specializing in terrestrial and wetland ecology. With over 18 years of experience, she oversees the Species at Risk sector at NRSI, managing projects that include natural area inventories, scientific research, recovery planning, and impact assessments. Jessica is an expert in butterfly ecology and has a comprehensive understanding of pollinating insects and other arthropods. She is a member of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada's (COSEWIC) Arthropod Specialists and chairs the Ontario Butterfly Species at Risk Recovery Team

Dr. Michelle DiLeo

Dr. Michelle DiLeo is a research scientist at the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and adjunct professor at Trent University where she leads a spatial ecology, evolution, and conservation research group. Her work integrates landscape ecology, monitoring, and genomics to study species-at-risk responses to habitat modification and climate change. Prior to joining the OMNR and Trent she spent five years as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Helsinki where she worked on dispersal evolution and climate adaptation in the Glanville fritillary butterfly. She returned home to Ontario with a love of butterflies and an agenda to elevate insects as priority group for provincial research and monitoring

Thank you to the sponsors of the ESO's 2024 AGM

AGM 2024

Where: Environment Science and Chemistry Building, University of Toronto Scarborough

When: October 4-6, 2024 (Friday afternoon and evening to Sunday)

Program: Coming Soon

​Code of Conduct: ESO AGM Meeting Code of Conduct

Contact the Organizing Committee: [email protected]​

ESO Accommodations

As the meeting is being held during the semester, accommodations on campus are full. Recommended options for accommodations include:

Best Western Express (38 Estate Dr, Scarborough, ON M1H 2Z1): Off HWY401 at Markham exit.
 
Pan-Pacific Hotel (900 York Mills Rd, North York, ON M3B 3H2): South of HWY 401 off the Don Valley Parkway
 
Chelsea Hotel (Downtown at Gerrard and Yonge): Meeting accessible by subway and express bus to UTSC campus.
 
Airbnb: Several options closer to campus.

Bug Eye Photo Contest 2024

Remember to submit your insect photos to the Bug Eye Photo Contest, an AGM staple and ESO tradition! For instructions, judging criteria, and prizes, check out the​ Bug Eye Photo Contest webpage

Student Awards

There will be awards for 1st and 2nd place in each Presentation category: Oral Presentations, and Poster Presentations.

President's Prize Oral Presentation and Poster Competition: Click here to download the judging criteria
Student Travel Award: Click here to download the criteria

Registration and Payment

All attendees must register using the Eventbrite page.

Early registration ends on September 20th, and online registration ends on September 27th.
Early Registration Deadline: September 20th, 2024
Student/Retired Member in-person full conference: $100
Regular Member in-person full conference: $200
Non-Member in-person full conference: $275
 
Final Registration Deadline: September 27th, 2024
Student/Retired Member in-person full conference: $135
Regular Member in-person full conference: $235
Non-Member in-person full conference: $275
 
To qualify for the member rate, you must be a member of the ESO at the time of registration. To become a member or renew your existing membership, please visit the membership website. It is free for students, as well as retired and amateur entomologists!
If you have any questions or concerns about registration, please contact the registration coordinator at [email protected].

Abstract Submission Guidelines

Deadline: September 20, 2024

Once you've registered and indicated , a clear and concise title and abstract of no more than 250 words should be emailed to [email protected]. Received abstracts will get a response email confirming the abstract has been submitted, followed by a notification of acceptance.

Please indicate if you would like to give a talk or poster, or have no preference.
Talks (Student and Regular) are limited to 12 minutes (plus 3 minutes for questions).
Posters should be 3' by 4' in either portrait or landscape orientation.

If you are a student and would like to be considered for the President's prize for best talk or poster, please note this in the Eventbrite order form. Information on how the  talks and posters are adjudicated can be found here.

Abstracts will be published in the Journal of the Entomological Society of Ontario. 

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