Friday, 31 January 2025 The 7th Slovenian Entomological Symposium gathered enthusiasts and experts in the field
From January 31 to February 1, 2025, the 7th Entomological Symposium with International Attendance (SES7) took place in Izola, at Livade 1.0, bringing together 69 experts, researchers, and entomology enthusiasts from Slovenia, Italy, and Croatia.
The two-day event was organized by entomologists from the Department of Biodiversity at UP Famnit and the Slovenian Entomological Society Štefan Michieli. During the symposium, participants exchanged knowledge, achievements, results, and visions across various fields of entomology, including insect taxonomy and phylogeny, forestry and agricultural entomology, conservation entomology, insect diversity, and entomological methodology.
The attendees were welcomed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Živa Fišer, Head of the Department of Biodiversity, Andrej Kapla, President of the Slovenian Entomological Society Štefan Michieli, and Prof. Dr. Vladimir Ivović, the organizer.
The symposium’s keynote speakers were Alenka Žunič Kosi and Tatjana Čelik, who presented their latest findings in entomology.
Dr. Žunič Kosi, a researcher at the National Institute of Biology, also shared her impressions of the event:
"I believe that meetings with other entomologists are crucial, as they allow us to exchange knowledge and experiences while staying updated on the latest developments in the field. Slovenia may be a small country, but such events foster valuable connections. I look forward to future lectures and discussions with colleagues, and I sincerely thank the organizers for this excellent experience," she stated.
Dr. Alenka Žunič Kosi
She also highlighted a study on cricket communication that she presented in the opening lecture: "We discovered that, in addition to acoustic signals, crickets also communicate through vibrations transmitted via solid surfaces such as plants or the ground. This finding is significant, as it suggests that the combination of sound and vibrations plays an important role in attracting females," she explained.
A total of 31 scientific contributions were presented at the symposium.
Before the official start of the symposium, two interactive workshops were held. The Bio-Creative Workshop "From Knowledge to Story," led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Katarina Šoln from the Department of Biodiversity UP Famnit; and "Preparation and Importance of Entomological Collections," led by Andrej Kapla, President of the Slovenian Entomological Society Štefan Michieli, Matic Gabor from the National Institute of Biology and Jurij Rekelj from the Prirodoslovni Museum of Slovenia.
The Bio-Creative Workshop
During the morning workshops, participants learned how to write a children's story with biological content and how to present scientific discoveries simply and understandably to the general public. They also gained insights into the importance of entomological collections and sample preparation procedures. Such collections are essential for research and preserving insect data, as they hold historical value, provide insights into extinct species, and serve as a crucial source of information at the national level.
Preparation and Importance of Entomological Collections
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Katja Adam from the Department of Biodiversity and a symposium organizer expressed satisfaction with the attendance and positive feedback from participants: "The initial impressions are excellent, as we have recorded high participation this year—around 70 attendees, including international participants. The attendees are pleased, and an essential part of these gatherings is networking, where we discuss ongoing and future projects as well as joint research. Personally, I have learned a lot about insects and met new experts," she added.
The symposium was organized as part of the E-NAT2CARE project (Strengthening Cross-Border Links for the Conservation and Restoration of Natura 2000 Areas in the Wider Border Region).
