Abstract

The Entomological Society of Washington is pleased to offer, in conjunction with Highlands Biological Station, HYM Course 2016. The course will be held at Highlands Biological Station, Highlands, North Carolina, USA. The facility is quite extraordinary, and this quote from the HBS website is noteworthy: "Highlands, and its immediate surroundings, are arguably the most biologically significant area in the Appalachian Mountains. The Station is located near the crest of the Blue Ridge on a high plateau at an elevation of 4,000 feet (1,200 m)." The main objective of the course is to provide participants with knowledge and experience in identifying parasitic and predatory wasps, sawflies, wood wasps, bees, and ants. We will also present information on the natural history of wasps, bees, and ants, and that information will be reinforced with fieldwork. Techniques used to collect, rear, preserve, and curate wasps, bees, and ants will be presented in a hands-on manner to allow participants to learn directly by doing.