On 20 July, Evgeny Aksyonenko, Associate Professor at the Department of Zoology and Parasitology of the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences of VSU, gave a popular science lecture for the citizens of Voronezh. The lecture was dedicated to the topic “Climate change and biological invasions of insects or how bugs conquer the planet in the 21st century”.
The event was organised by the Atomic Energy Information Centre of Voronezh and was held at the Kozo-Polyansky Botanical Garden of Voronezh State University. Those who could not attend the lecture in person could watch the lecture online which was broadcast on the VKontakte social network with the support of the Department for Community Affairs.
During the speech, Evgeny Aksyonenko talked about global warming and its impact on insects. The audience learned how, due to warming and globalisation, invasive species of insects are expanding into new territories and thus harming the world economy. Evgeny Aksyonenko presented information about alien insects in Voronezh and the dangers they pose to the green infrastructure of the city and its residents.
“The open-air lecture is a very unusual format. Of course, it is more difficult to organise than a regular classroom lecture but it opens up new opportunities for the lecturer and the audience. And it is absolutely fascinating: evening, the bewildering fragrances of herbs at the Botanical Garden of the university, and enthusiastic listeners,” said Evgeny Aksyonenko, Associate Professor at the Department of Zoology and Parasitology.
After the lecture, the participants of the event had the opportunity to ask questions. The authors of the three best questions were presented with popular science books about insects.
Photo: official VK group of the Atomic Energy Information Centre
