ACB training --- Taxonomic Capacity Building for Sustainable Use of Biodiversity
Predators and Parasitoids
QSBG Entomology recently (September 1-5, 2014) organised and hosted an ACB (ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity) training course on Taxonomic Capacity Building for Sustainable Use of Biodiversity -- Predators and Parasitoids
Twenty-one participants from nine ASEAN countries (unfortunately Indonesia was unable to attend) attended the one week training course led by Dr Banpot Napompeth (Kasetsart University, Thailand) on parasitoids and Dr Ireneo Lit (University of the Philippines-Los Baños, Philippines) dealing with predators.
The five day course included lectures, laboratory sessions, field work in the QSBG gardens, a presentation by trainees of their findings and finally a presentation of certificates at Le Méridien Hotel in Chiang Mai city.
Activities started off day 1 with a formal opening by Dr Suyanee Vessabutr (Director of the Botanic Garden Organization and Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden), a presentation of some gifts from ACB (Dr Filiberto Pollisco, Jr (ACB), AKA Dr Noy) to Drs Suyanee and Chaweewan for their support in organizing the training at QSBG, and finally a formal group photo.
Dr Noy presents Dr Suyanee (Director BGO) with “Selected Monocot Plants of Northern Thailand and Southeast Asia: A Field Guide”, one of the outputs of the previous ACB training hosted at QSBG
Following the formal opening Carl Callagan (ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, Philippines) started the technical training sessions with a presentation introducing participants to ACB taxonomy information databases
Carl Callagan presents “species encoder”
Next was a visit to the QSBG Entomology laboratory and collection led by Wichai Srisuka (curator).
Wichai explaining the type collection at QSBG Entomology
After lunch Siridao Maneekhat (Public Relation section) and Sawitree Sasirat (Research and Laboratory Center) led a tour of some features of the QSBG garden, including the Natural Science Museum (featuring dinosaurs!), the Glasshouse complex (orchid house, rainforest house, arid zone house and finishing with afternoon tea), “Banana Alley” and finally ending with a viewing of the entries and winners of a recent photo competition, before returning to Chiang Mai.
After a relaxing first day the trainees got down to real work on day two with Dr Banpot leading them through the intricate details of parasitoid biology throughout the day.
Dr Banpot is discussing the use of a pooter which is often used for collecting parasitoids
Day three Dr Lit spent the morning and part of the afternoon lecturing the trainees on predator biology before moving to the laboratory for a session examining and sorting some prepared specimens.
Dr Lit listening to an issue raised by Khin May Myint (MM)
Dr Banpot discussing collection sorting with Phaeng (TH) and Ben (PH)
Day four started early (0730hs), and surprisingly without rain, with activities in the field. Trainees used sweep nets, beating nets, forceps, pooters and general hand collecting techniques to collect predators and parasitoids they found in the field. Participants were also introduced to Malaise traps and pit traps that had been set up earlier.
Entomology sometimes needs a careful composed patience and concentration as Khin Thuza Kyaw (MM) shows well here
Some trainees assisted set up a Malaise trap which the group posed with for a field group photo. Most of the participants spend about 4 hours collecting in the field, though one participant took the hand collecting a little too far and had to leave early to visit a local hospital after a wasp objected to such close handling!!
Trainees and some of the trainers posing behind a Malaise trap they've just set up
Lily (SG) and Marute (TH) extracting a specimen they netted while collecting near the creek habitat
After the morning collecting in the field participants returned to the laboratory to set and sort the specimens they had collected. This day ended with afternoon tea and applause when our injured colleague returned recovered from hospital.
An example of the field trip catch being sorted
Dr Lit discussing the field collection with Pui (TH) and "Both" (KH)
Day five was held at Le Méridien Hotel in Chiang Mai city. Dr “Noy” summarised the training session, trainees presented their findings from the field work and sorting, and participants were invited to provide their own assessment of the value of the training and areas that could be improved.
"Both" (KH) discussing the findings of his and Pui's field collection and sorting
The training concluded with participants being issued with certificates attesting to their attendance at the training and Dr Suyanee officially closing the training, wishing everyone well and hoping there will be future training developing from this initial training (echoing comments by Dr Lit in his closing comments).
Dr Suyanee presents Dr Lit with a certificate of appreciation (Dr Noy doing duties as MC)
Drs Noy, Suyanee, the team from Vietnam (Trang Quynh Truong and Quan Hong Mai) with their certificates, and Dr Chaweewan
This training was the first such general training ACB has organised specifically on Entomology and many participants, as well as the resource persons, appreciated the value of training in this very neglected area as well as pointing out the need for more. QSBG certainly hopes ACB has the opportunity to support more training in these areas and that QSBG Entomology has some way to contribute to this worthy effort.
The training would not have been possible if not for the hard work of the ACB team, the QSBG Entomology team, the support of the trainers, the efforts and enthusiasm of the participants, and funding via the Japan-ASEAN Integrated Fund.
Additionally special thanks go to Dr Ratchada Pongsattayapipat (QSBG) and her team for assisting to organizing some critical logistics matters, to Dr Samaporn Saengyot (Mae Joh University) for assisting Dr Banpot with the preparation of his materials and to Chiang Mai University for allowing us to use some of their stereomicroscopes during laboratory work.
