On 22–23 May 2025, the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia hosted the third Management Committee (MC) meeting of the COST Action CA22140 INSECT-IMP. The event gathered over 50 researchers and stakeholders from across Europe for two intensive days of scientific exchange and collaboration in Ljubljana.
WG1: Genetic Markers and Population Structure
- Moderated by Mert Kükrer, this session addressed:
- Genetic markers and methodologies
- Meta-population structure in wild and managed insects
- Genotype × environment interactions
Presentations included:
- Jana Obšteter – Overview of issues and possible solutions
- Ewa Sell-Kubiak – So I have the genotypes, what next?
- Bart Pannebakker – Genomic prediction in insects: a case study on wing morphology traits in the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis
- Pablo Librado – Co-estimating selection and dominance coefficients using genomic time series
- Christos Athanassiou – The Magnificent Seven: Evaluation of seven yellow mealworm strains for their fecundity and longevity
WG2: Mating Behaviours and Mating Control Strategies
Led by Olga Ameixa and Christos Athanassiou, topics included:
- Characterization of reproductive success in various insect species
- Mating asymmetries and sublethal effects of insecticides
- Evolutionary shifts in reproductive behavior under mass rearing
Presentations included:
- Yulia Ryabceva – Characterization of Ovarian Development and Assessment of Reproductive Success in Hermetia illucens Females (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)
- Maria C. Boukouvala – The role of lateralization in mating behavior and mating success of Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
- Christophe Bressac – Sperm storage reveals sexual conflict in Black Soldier Fly
- Dimitra Lorentha – Sublethal Effects of α-Cypermethrin on the Behavioral Asymmetries and Mating Success of Alphitobius diaperinus
- Rebecca Boulton – Mass rearing drives evolutionary shifts in reproductive behaviour in Nasonia vitripennis
- Olga Ameixa – Participatory Exercise: Identifying Knowledge Gaps in Insect Mating
Practical Sessions: Instrumental Insemination & Insect Identification
- Janez Prešern – Theoretical introduction to Instrumental Insemination of Honey Bees
- Jernej Bubnič – Instrumental insemination of honey bee queens
- Specimen demonstration of edible, beneficial, and model insects
- Stereoscopic observation for insect anatomy
Management Committee Meeting
The MC session focused on:
- Budget and financial updates
- WG progress reports
- Discussion on future collaborations, engagement strategies, and upcoming events
A big thank you to all speakers and participants for their contribution, and to the organizing team at the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia for their excellent support.