UC Davis distinguished professor emeritus Frank Zalom as president of the Entomological Society of America in 2014. (ESA Photo)

Theme of annual ESA meeting, taking place Nov. 5-8 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. is "Insects and Influence: Advancing Entomology's Impact on People and Policy." 

Among those participating is UC Davis distinguished emeritus professor Frank Zalom.  A highly celebrated entomologist, Zalom is an ESA Fellow (2008), past ESA president (2014), and he holds ESA's highest honor, Honorary Member (2021), an honor achieved by only four other UC Davis entomologists: Harry Lange, 1990; Don MacLean, 1993; Bruce Eldridge, 1996; and John Edman, 2001. He continues his research as a recall professor.

Evolutionary biologist Scott Carroll and his wife, entomologist Jenella Loye, both research associates of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology and owners of Carroll-Loye Biological Research (CLBR) are also among the participants.

Carroll is the co-author of the newly published  “Spatial Sorting Promotes Rapid (mal) Adaptation in the Red-Shouldered Soapberry Bug after Hurricane-Driven Local Extinctions” in the journal, Nature Ecology and Evolution that is drawing worldwide attention.

Officers of ESA, all women scientists, are:

• President: Marianne Alleyne, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Vice President: Jennifer Henke, Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District
• Vice President-Elect: Lina  Bernaola, Texas A&M University
• Past President: Jessica Ware, American Museum of Natural History

Founded in 1889, ESA is the largest entomological organization in the world. Its more than 7,000 members are affiliated with educational institutions, health agencies, private industry, and government.

"The premier event of the Society is its annual meeting. Each year approximately 3,500 entomologists and other scientists gather to exchange scientific information. A program of symposia, conferences, submitted papers, and continuing education seminars provides attendees the opportunity to hear and present research results. The meeting also provides a chance to interact informally with peers and prospective employers."--ESA website.

(Editor's Note: Access the ESA program and the list of UC Davis attendees (go to the online program at https://entomology2023.eventscribe.net/. On the left side menu, go to Full Schedule (Browse By) > Presenter / Organizer Index, and then click the city tab to browse by location.)