Date: June 20-26, 2018
Location: Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
About: The course will provide a general overview of the Rove Beetle Universe, covering an introduction to ecology and identification of all 32 Staphylinidae subfamilies of the world, plus an overview of known larvae. Emphasis, including practical use of keys, will be placed on North American taxa. The main purpose of the course is to aid in identification of specimens. Students will learn to sight ID common subfamilies (it can be done!) and gain experience using keys. The workshop will consist of lectures and laboratories, including demonstration of microdissection (this can also be done!) and slide mounting, and some field collecting. A very unique opportunity. Staphylinidae is the largest family in the world with 63,000+ species. They are nearly ubiquitous across the terrestrial landscape, represent some of the most numerous micro-predators in forest systems, contain hundreds of myrmecophilous species, thousands of undescribed species, are woefully underutilized in ecological studies, and are a lot cooler than weevils. StaphMeeting is the first and only rove beetle workshop of its kind in the world.