Insects Taxonomy Training

The centre of Excellence in Biodiversity and Nature Resource Management (CoEB), with the mission on of “encouraging, enabling and supporting stakeholders to generate and apply knowledge on Biodiversity and Natural Resources for sustainable development” invited its nodes for 4 days training about insect biology, field sampling techniques, identification and preservation. This training took place on 06-09 November 2017.

Group photo at the Nyungwe National Park

Group photo at the Nyungwe National Park                                                                                           Photo: CoEB

On day one, we had classroom lectures about general knowledge on insect and some technical skills used when they are being collected on the field. On the second day, we have driven to the Nyungwe National Park (NNP) to take samples at Kitabi (The location directly near the NNP) and inside the Nyungwe National Park. Three terrestrial insects sampling techniques were used namely: Pitfall trapping, hand collection and leaf litter collection for Berlese funnel insect extraction method.

Participants at Kitabi during the briefing about the sampling process

Participants at Kitabi during the briefing about the sampling process         Photo: CoEB                

On the third day, specimen collected during the second day was extracted, identified and mounted on polystyrene sheets. On Thursday morning, participants drove to Akagera National Park to collect insects, using the same three collection methods as were taught and tested at the Nyungwe National Park sampling site. Only one site was sampled at Akagera National Park, within a savanna woodland ecosystem, in order to provide an opportunity to compare results from two different ecosystems. On the same day, we closed the training with the closing remarks by Dr Callixte Gatali.

Marie Claire and Chantal Umuhoza during insect mounting

Marie Claire and Chantal Umuhoza during insect mounting                                          Photo: CoEB

Completed Specimen Mounts                               

Completed Specimen Mounts                                                                      Photo: CoEB