| Principal Investigator: | Goulet, Henri (1) |
| Licence Number: | 14759 |
| Organization: | Agriculture & AgriFood Canada |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2010
|
| Issued: | Jul 08, 2010 |
| Project Team: | Caroline Boudreault (Research Assistant, Agriculture & AgriFood Canada) |
Objective(s): To collect species of the wasp subfamily Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to get recent and properly preserved specimens for DNA barcoding and taxonomic resolution. Also, to know more about the diversity of these wasps and to be able to compare the recently wasp fauna with re-identified specimens sampled in the 1950’s.
Project Description: The research plan is to collect specimens of as many species (named or not) of the wasp subfamily Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to get recent and properly preserved specimens for DNA barcoding and taxonomic resolution. The goal is to know more about the diversity of these wasps and to be able to compare the recently wasp fauna with re-identified specimens sampled in the 1950’s. To achieve the above objectives the researcher chose a site in the northern boreal region (Inuvik), one near the junction of the boreal and tundra (Tuktoyaktuk), and one on full tundra (Sachs Harbour). The site is sampled for about 1 to 2 hours using sweep nets (causes no damage to the vegetation). After sampling, the sample is washed and new preservative is added, then the sample is labeled and stored in a cool place. For some sites, yellow containers (about 6” in diameter) will be left with water and a drop of detergent. The traps are emptied every 1 to 2 days. The sample is washed, stored in 100% isopropyl alcohol, labeled and kept cool. Pitfall traps catch beetles at the soil surface. The traps are emptied every day and the retained specimens are killed and preserved the proper way. The results of the research will be published in peer reviewed journal. Some of the papers will deal with taxonomy of these parasitic wasps and others with the faunistic of these parasitic wasps for the region. The researcher is willing to talk about the world of insects to school kids or to any nature organizations if they any of the three sites. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 8, 2010 to July 27, 2010.
