Parasitoid Games

Parasitoid Games

The Parasitoid Games is a game of tag loosely based on the popular campus game Humans vs. Zombies. Everyone who is participating in the game is both a parasitoid and a potential host for all the other parasitoids. Each person will try to sneak a sticker onto the other players without raising their suspicions. These games are a great excuse to meet people at the Annual Meeting whose path you may not otherwise cross. We encourage you to take advantage of these interactions to network with as many people as possible and discover where these newfound connections can take you in your career!


Registration for participation in the 1st ESA Parasitoid Games will close on November 10th, 2024 @ 9:30pm. Please use the following link to register:

Click here to register for the 2024 Parasitoid Games


The winner of the 1st annual ESA Parasitoid Games will be announced at the Student Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00pm. 


Note: As this is the first year the ESA Parasitoid Games will be executed, we are limiting participation to just students; this is subject to change in future years. 

Want to join? Follow the next steps:

  1. Register using the registration form: click here
  2. Once you’ve submitted the form, you can view the other participants registered (it will be also emailed to you).
  3. At the Annual Meeting, after the Welcome Reception, pick up your “eggs” and your sticker for your badge (ID sticker).
    • The booth will be open during and a bit after the Welcome reception, and on Monday and Tuesday AM for about 1 hour. Outside those hours you can find a for SAC/Parasitoid committee member to receive stickers.
  4. Monday and Tuesday from 8:00 AM until 5:00PM go to the Active Zone and parasitize before being parasitized!
  5. Make sure to track who you parasitize using the tracking form: link to come

Equipment

  • Participant sticker (should be placed on your upper right corner of your badge)
  • Parasitism stickers
  • A smartphone with access to the tracker form (link to come).

Stickers will be available for pick-up from a SAC member during the Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall, Sunday, November 10 at the ESA Booth. If you run out of stickers you can receive more from the booth set up in the Exhibit Hall or from any Parasitoid Games committee member.

A full list of all the players can be found at the following link: link to come and you will track all the parasitized people in here: link to come.

Active Zones (War Zone)

Exhibit Hall (Monday, 8am-5pm & Tuesday, 8am-5pm)

Parasitoid Games Rules

  1. Stickers must be deposited on the host person, clothing, apparel, or personal items that are directly connected (i.e. backpack, bags, and umbrella).
    • Recommended areas of parasitism are the shoulder, arms, the back, and personal items.
    • Be mindful when placing the stickers (e.g. gentle placing).
  2. Once the host has been successfully parasitized, the parasitoid must introduce themselves and confirm the parasitism with the host.
    • Get the parasitized person’s ID number (you can see on the participant’s badge) to avoid misspelling names.
  3. If you get caught in the act, you must introduce yourself and are not allowed to attempt to parasitize that person again for 15 minutes following the failed attempt; but you may try again following the conclusion of the 15-minute duration.
  4. You cannot successfully parasitize the same host more than once.
  5. You are responsible for keeping track of whom you parasitize via the tracking form (link to come) while the parasitism is happening.
  6. Don’t be an aphid, aphids lose this game.

The one who parasitizes the most hosts wins a prize!

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas for improving this game next year, please do not hesitate and contact the Parasitoid Games committee!


Jamal Hunter
Alex Harman
William Pitt
Lidia Gual Gonzalez