The Columbia County Master Gardener Association invites you to attend an online presentation by Dr. Celeste Searles Mazzacano on “Mutualism, Deception and Self-Defense: The Complex Dance of Co-Evolution in Insects and Plants” on Thursday, October 22nd at 6:30pm. This is a free hour-long event, and pre-registration is required: https://beav.es/ou7
During the course of evolution, plants have insects have evolved to affect each other in fascinating and intricate ways. These include many examples in how traits and behaviors are shaped. Celeste Mazzacano is an educator who strives to impart her almost excessive enthusiasm about insects to others.
In this talk, Celeste will show us a world of insects and plants which includes defensive arms races, attraction to sweet rewards, trickery, death traps, sex and reproduction, and elaborate social organizations. Her goal: to engender a greater awareness and appreciation of insects and their functions.
Celeste has a B.S. in Genetics & Cell Biology and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Minnesota. Her research and teaching has taken her from river bottoms to tree canopies as she investigates and preserves insect species, characterizes their impacts on habitats, and develops management plans that protect the overall ecosystem. Her work currently focuses on insects, freshwater mussels, and other invertebrates. Read more about her work here: http://www.casmenvironmental.com. Please join us for this exciting presentation!
