The 69th Entomological Society of New Zealand Conference

Dear Ent Soc NZ,
Given the COVID-19 situation, the organising and executive committee have, decided to cancel the 69th Entomological Society of New Zealand Conference, set to take place in Dunedin next month. We recognise the number of confirmed cases in NZ is still relatively low, and we would like to keep it that way. Scientists around the world are advising* that we avoid congregating in large groups (though with the predicted turn-out for this conference, ‘large’ might be a bit of an overstatement). We feel it is prudent to heed the advice of scientists. 
If you have already registered for the conference, please know that we are working to ensure you receive a full refund. You will receive a refund receipt in due course. Please bear with us while we process these, but if you have questions or concerns, please contact Aaron Harmer (A.Harmer@massey.ac.nz) regarding cc and PayPal refunds, and Pol Syrett (treasurer@ento.org.nz​) for bank transfer refunds. 
If you have already purchased your flight to attend the conference, we can provide an official letter explaining the situation if required. Please contact Anne Wignall (a.e.wignall@massey.ac.nz) for more information. If you are an unwaged member (i.e. retired or student member) and still unable to get a refund on your purchase please let the secretary know (secretary@ento.org.nz).
If you were relying on this conference for a line on your CV, the University of Otago, Department of Zoology may have space for you to deliver a seminar (or half seminar!), so let’s have that conversation before you re-book your flight. There are also options to speak at our local chapter of the Otago Entomology Society (https://ento.org.nz/regional-branches/otago/). We can even record your video to share it with the rest of the Ent Soc NZ community. Please contact Jenny (jenny.jandt@otago.ac.nz) if you are interested in delivering your talk to the Zoology Department at Otago, and Emma (otago.entomology@hotmail.com) for more information about the Otago Entomology Society. Meanwhile, go ahead and add your accepted talk or poster to your cv, but with the words “conference cancelled due to COVID-19”.
Watch this space – Locally organised symposia, zoom meetings and/or recorded presentations, and electronic poster presentations are still being discussed. Please be patient as the organisers and executive committee sort through these options.
The 2020 Ent Soc NZ AGM will likely take place via zoom. We will be in touch with more information about that meeting, and how you can join, once the details have been confirmed.
We know that this news will be disappointing to many of you, but we also expect that it is not too much of a shock. Many of us are now in a situation where travel (even domestic) is being restricted, and while we hope that this situation clears up soon, we also want to be responsible and consider your health and the health of your family. 
We look forward to hosting the annual meeting in the near future. 

Ngā mihi,
Jenny Jandt (on behalf of the conference organising committee) 
Anne Wignall (Society President)

Kia ora!

The 69th Entomological Society of New Zealand Conference will be held in the beautiful city of Dunedin, in the takiwā of Ngāi Tahu, from 15th – 17th April, 2020. The conference venue is at the venerable and innovative Otago Museum, approximately 30 mins travel from Dunedin airport, or 4.5 hours from Christchurch by car or public transportation.

EntoSoc is one of the best scientific meetings for experiencing interactive presentations in a congenial atmosphere where students, professors, and researchers discuss ecology, genetics, biosecurity, behaviour, morphology and more in the entomological sciences.

EntoSoc 2020 brings together international researchers from universities, industry and government with common interests in insects to help solve all sorts of ecological problems, and, well, just for the fun of it. This year, EntSoc will focus on the growing evidence of global and regional insect decline, as well as conservation efforts that are being developed to mitigate this trend. Various thematic sessions within entomology are encouraged, including:

  • Insect decline
  • Insect conservation
  • Genetics and entomology
  • Entomology from individuals to communities
  • New models and conceptual approaches using insects
  • Biosecurity
  • Insects in biodiversity research
  • Ecophysiology and behaviour
  • Taxonomy

EntoSoc features non-parallel sessions to ensure cross-disciplinary exposure and learning opportunities, along with poster sessions, conference field trips and tours, and great social activities, including local food and beer. We offer specialised workshops by leading researchers.

Included in registration for this year’s conference is: lunch (each day), morning and afternoon teas, nibbles + cash bar (poster session/welcome reception) and banquet dinner. 

Many thanks to this year’s organising committee: Jenny Jandt, Barbara Barratt, Emma Curtin, Cilla Wehi and Sheri Johnson.

Cost

Conference registration includes: lunch (each day), morning and afternoon teas, nibbles + cash bar (poster session/welcome reception) and banquet dinner. If you are interested in ordering additional tickets for the conference banquet, please contact the conference organisers directly.

Early-bird registration (closes 13 March)

  • Full – $350
  • Student/unwaged – $250
  • Day rate – $150

Late registration (after 13 March)

  • Full – $400
  • Student/unwaged – $300
  • Day rate – $200

Key Dates:

21 January 2020: Registration and abstract submission opens
14 February 2020: Abstract submission closes
14 February 2020: Deadline for KJ Fox Awards and 21st Anniversary Awards
13 March 2020: Early bird registration closes
15 April 2020: Conference begins
17 April 2020: Conference close (~4 pm)


Plenary Speakers

Accommodation

The following motels have offered 10% discount for direct bookings with them (i.e. not through booking.com or other). Mention that you are attending the conference when booking.

Extras

​There will be a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum insect collections. There is no charge but limited availability (first come, first serve). ​You can express your interest in a tour when you register for the conference.

Otago Museum is offering a reduced rate to the Tropical Forest (includes live butterfly exhibit). Regular price $15, reduced price $12 (with conference badge). Reduced rate is available 14-19 April only.

Abstract Guidelines

All oral and poster submissions require an abstract to be uploaded . Changes to the abstract can be made up to 1 month before the meeting by contacting the scientific organizers.

Please use the abstract template at the top of this page, and upload during abstract submission.

Abstracts will be reviewed and selected by a conference Advisory Committee. Authors will be informed of the acceptance of their contributions and type via email by 12 March 2020. An electronic Book of Abstracts will be available at the meeting and posted on the website.

KJ Fox Awards

The KJ Fox Award is open to current members to provide financial assistance to attend the annual conference. Applications must be received by the secretary by 14 February 2020. Successful applicants will be notified at the conference. Please find more information on the awards, including the application form, here.

21st Anniversary Awards

The 21st Anniversary Awards are open to groups, clubs or individuals to provide financial assistance with their research. Applications will be assessed on the quality of the proposed research and the ability of the applicant to complete the project. Applications must be received by the secretary by 14 February 2020. Successful applicants will be notified at the conference. Please find more information, including the application form, here.

Contact

For any enquiries or further information please email the conference organisers.