Pathologists Converge on Brazil

The VIII International Colloquium on Invertebrate Pathology and Microbial Control, the 35th Annual Meeting of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology, and the VI International Conference on Bacillus thuringiensis (ICBt) were held at Fos do Iguassu, Brazil on 18-23 August 2002.

The International Colloquium on Invertebrate Pathology, sponsored by the Society for Invertebrate Pathology, is held every fourth year in conjunction with the society's annual meeting. Over 380 scientists from 31 countries participated in the combined 2002 meeting held at Iguassu Falls.

The scientific sessions encompassed a wide variety of topics, beginning with a Plenary Session on Baculoviruses and the presentation of the Founders' Lecture by Dr Peter Luthy, in honor of Dr Huguette de Barjac. The Divisions on Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi, Microsporidia, Nematodes, and Microbial Control sponsored a variety of symposia, contributed paper sessions, and workshops, and held annual business meetings. The symposia sponsored by the Divisions and meeting organizers are listed below:

Fungi:

• Microecology of entomopathogenic fungi
• Toward the integration of fungal entomopathogens with other biological control agents
• Genetic structure of fungal populations

Viruses:

• Prospects for the use of viral pesticides
• Arthropod-borne viruses

Bacteria:

• Bacterial insecticidal proteins: specificity, improvement and novel toxins
• Bt transgenic plants and insect resistance to Bt toxins
• Bti and Bsh mosquiticidal strains: use and necessities

Nematodes:

• Entomopathogenic nematodes: research trends

Microbial Control:

• Solar irradiation of fungal pathogens: deleterious effects, and mitigation through genetics and formulation
• Microbial control of insect pests of potato - from Tierra del Fuego to the Great White North

Cross-Division:

• Bacteria/insect interactions: virulence aspects
• Microbial germplasm repositories: the legacy, the problem, the future
• Microsporidia within Entomophthorales

Meeting participants enjoyed several social activities including a poolside welcome reception at the Hotel Bourbon, a traditional Brazilian barbeque with entertainment and dancing, a trip to Iguassu Falls (raincoats provided), and the annual 5 km race which was held in the Iguassu National Park. The banquet at Hotel Bourbon honoured student award winners (travel awards, paper presentations, and posters) and featured an excellent Brazilian band and dancing.

Information on obtaining copies of the Abstracts and Proceedings will soon be made available at the Society's website:
www.sipweb.org

The 36th Annual Meeting of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology will be held on 26-31 July 2003 in Burlington, Vermont, USA. All scientists interested in the biology of invertebrate pathogens as well as their use in biological control are welcome. Watch the SIP website for details regarding this and future meetings.

By: Leellen Solter and Mark Goettel,
Society for Invertebrate Pathology
Newsletter Editors

Contact: Leellen F. Solter,
Insect Pathology,
Illinois Natural History Survey,
140 NSRC, Box 18,
1101 W. Peabody Dr.,
Urbana, IL 61801, USA
Email: l-solter@uiuc.edu
Fax: +1 217 244 1707

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