Thematic Sessions

SYMPOSIA

•  Insect decline and Conservation biology

Co-Chairs: Christophe Bouget (France) & Thibault Lachat (Switzerland)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: Roel van Klink (Germany)

•  Species distribution

Co-Chairs: Sylvain Pincebourde (France) – Olivier Chabrerie (France)
Description:
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•  Insect monitoring: Smart traps, Monitoring systems and innovative infrastructure in field entomology

Co-Chairs: Christophe Bouget (France), Carlos Lopez Vaamonde (France) & Meng Li (Sweden)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: Toke Thomas Høye (Denmark)

We also welcome additional contributions relevant to this thematic session that do not fall under any of the designated symposia.

SYMPOSIA

• Behavioral Ecology

Co-Chairs: Marlène Goubault (France) & Emmanuel Desouhant (France)

Description: After several decades of both theoretical development and experimental work, the behavioural ecology of insects remains a very active field of research. The scientific questions addressed are fundamentally grounded in strong interdisciplinary approaches that simultaneously tackle the ultimate and proximate causes of behaviours, nowadays supported by accurate molecular and phylogenetic data, as well as the development of accurate methods and tools. These developments are timely to address relevant questions such as the molecular basis of behaviours, the link between individual behaviour and community structure and function, and the implications for biological control and conservation biology.

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• Imaging, sensing and tracking tools

Co-Chairs: Thomas Steinmann (France) & Andrew Straw (Germany)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: Mikkel Brydegaard (Sweden)

• Population dynamics and modelling

Co-Chairs: Christelle Suppo (France), Christelle Robinet (France) & Sigrid Netherer (Austria)

Description: Understanding and modelling insect population dynamics is key to predict outbreaks, shifts in species range, changes in species phenology, as well as in species interactions. This symposium focuses on theoretical and applied approaches that describe insect population dynamics and explore the effects of potential drivers, including mechanistical and statistical models, generic and species tailored-made models, as well as simulations and projections under various scenarios. We welcome contributions that present innovative modelling techniques especially in the context of global change, real-time epidemiological models, and models applied to real-world management and conservation challenges.

Keynote Speaker: Jean-Noel Candau (Canada)

• Multitrophic interactions

Co-Chairs: Stéphane Boyer (France) & Michael Rostas (Germany)
Description:
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• Plant-Insect and Plant-Insect-microorganisms interactions

Chair: Akiko Sugio (France) & Antoine Guiguet (France)
Description:
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• Chemical Ecology of Insect Interactions: From Molecules to Ecosystems

Co-Chairs: Christophe Lucas (France) & Véronique Eparvier (France)

Description: Insects play a crucial role in ecosystems, and their interactions with their environment are often mediated by chemical signals. This symposium will bring together experts in chemical ecology to explore the complexities of chemical interactions between insects and their environment.

Presentations will cover topics such as chemical communication strategies among insects, chemical mediation in insect-plant-microorganism interactions, the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites, chemodiversity, and the impact of environmental changes on chemical interactions in ecosystems.

This symposium will enable discussions on the latest advances in insect chemical ecology and explore the implications of these findings for conservation, sustainable agriculture, and public health.

Keynote Speaker: Christine Beemelmanns (Germany)

We also welcome additional contributions relevant to this thematic session that do not fall under any of the designated symposia.

SYMPOSIA

• Eco-evolutionary dynamics of sexual selection and sexual conflicts

Co-Chairs: Lucas Marie-Orleach (France) & Tim Janicke (France)

Description: Sexual selection and sexual conflicts are embedded in complex eco-evolutionary dynamics that are increasingly important to understand in the context of global environmental change. Sexual selection can influence demography and thus a population’s adaptive potential (evo-to-eco), while ecological conditions may alter the strength and outcomes of sexual selection (eco-to-evo). Although interest in this field is growing, research on the interplay between sexual selection, sexual conflicts, and ecology is still in its early stages. This symposium aims to showcase cutting-edge empirical and theoretical work that advances our understanding of these interactions, their evolutionary consequences, and ecological implications.

Keynote Speaker: Pau Carazo (Spain)

• Genomics and Evolutionary novelties

Chair: Jean-Michel Drezen (France)
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• Phenotypic Plasticity

Co-Chairs: Vincent Foray (France), Patricia Gibert (France) & Cameron Ghalambor (Norway)
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• Eco-evolutionary dynamics of host-microbiome interactions

Co-Chairs: Franck Dedeine (France) & Claire Valiente Moro (France)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: Marjolein Bruijning (Netherlands)

• Insect breeding and Genetics selection

Chair: Bart Pannebakker (Netherlands)
Description:
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• Symbionts and Insects as Holobionts

Co-Chairs: Vincent Foray (France), Jean-Christophe Simon (France) & Ines Pons (Germany)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: Hassan Salem (Germany)

We also welcome additional contributions relevant to this thematic session that do not fall under any of the designated symposia.

SYMPOSIA

• Thermal ecology and climate change

Co-Chairs: Sylvain Pincebourde (France), Hervé Colinet (France) & Michael Orsted (Denmark)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: Jelena Bujan (Hungary)

• Biological invasion

Co-Chairs: Christelle Robinet (France), Mathieu Laparie (France) & Cleo Bertelsmeier (Switzerland)

Description: Biological invasions are a major threat to biodiversity, agriculture, human and animal health and ecosystems. Insects represent the most important group of invasive animals, with a continued increase of new invasions despite the implementation of preventive measures, and no evidence of saturation to date. This symposium targets the latest research on insect invasions and welcomes contributions on strategies to monitor, prevent or mitigate invasions at any stage of the process, studies focusing on the biology of species of special interest as well as more generic frameworks such as conceptual and theoretical approaches or interdisciplinary research including citizen science and policy implications.

Keynote Speaker: Sandy Liebhold (Czech Republic)

• Insects and resistance mechanisms

Co-Chairs: Steeve Thany (France) & Emiliane Taillebois (France)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: Lindy M. Field (UK)

We also welcome additional contributions relevant to this thematic session that do not fall under any of the designated symposia.

SYMPOSIA

• Insects as vectors of plant pathogens

Co-Chairs: Elisabeth Huguet (France) & Domenico Bosco (Italy)
Description:
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• Medical Entomology

Co-Chairs: Claudio Lazzari (France) & David Roiz (France)
Description:
Keynote Speaker 

• Veterinary Entomology

Co-Chairs: Fotini Koutroumpa (France) &  Émilie Bouhsira (France)

Description: The Veterinary Entomology session will convene a diverse group of leading scientists to explore the impact of arthropods on the health and welfare of both domestic and wild animals. These organisms may act as parasites, vectors of infectious agents, or cause direct harm through bites, stings, or skin irritation. In the context of global change, arthropods are spreading into new geographic areas, intensifying their effects on animal—and occasionally human—health. Enhancing our understanding, surveillance, and control of these arthropods is essential to prevent disease outbreaks, protect animal welfare, and mitigate the economic impact on the livestock sector. We aim to showcase key advances in infestation diagnosis, and integrated pest management strategies.

Keynote Speaker:

We also welcome additional contributions relevant to this thematic session that do not fall under any of the designated symposia.

SYMPOSIA

•  Forest entomology

Co-Chairs: Marie-Anne Auger-Rozenberg (France), Carole Kerdelhue (France) & Dimitrios Avtzis (Greece)

Description: In the years to come, forest ecosystems are expected to be heavily affected both by native and invasive insect species. Concurrently, they continue to face the multi-facetted effects of on-going global changes. International trade and globalization facilitate the movement of insects beyond their natural range while changes in climatic and environmental regimes not only allow the establishment of invasive species but even trigger population outbreaks of native ones. This session aims to present the most recent advances in forest entomology covering various disciplines and aspects that ultimately add to our understanding on how insects respond and adapt to the changing environmental conditions.

Keynote Speaker: Manuela Branco (Portugal)

•  Agricultural entomology

Co-Chairs: Cécile Le Lann (France) & Kevin Tougeron (Belgium)
Description:
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•  Urban entomology

Chair: Bernard Kaufmann (France)
Description:
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•  Entomological education and citizen science in entomology

Chair: Sébastien Moreau (France)
Description:
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•  Global Entomology: Strengthening North–South Cooperation

Co-Chairs: Christophe Bressac (France) & Pierre-Olivier Maquart (France)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: Saliou Niassy (Kenya)

•  AI and machine learning

Co-Chairs: Miguel Pineirua (France), Toke Thomas Høye (Denmark) & Lena Lutz (Germany)
Description:
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• Forensic Entomology

Co-Chairs: Lena Lutz (Germany)
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• Cultural entomology – Rituals, art and traditions

Co-Chairs:
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• From research to impact: Translating entomological science into policy and practice

Co-Chairs:
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We also welcome additional contributions relevant to this thematic session that do not fall under any of the designated symposia.

SYMPOSIA

• Biomimetism – From biological to bio-inspired photonic materials

Co-Chairs: Vinodkumar Saranathan (France) & Bodo Wilts (Austria)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: Ulli Steiner (Switzerland)

• Biomimetism – Bioinspired materials, sensory and actuation systems

Co-Chairs: Jérôme Casas (France) & David Labonte (United Kingdom)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: Ansgar Büschges (Germany)

• Insects as feed and food

Co-Chairs: Christophe Bressac (France) & Laura Gasco (Italy)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: Mik van der Borght (Belgium)

• Ecosystem services – Biocontrol and Integrated pest management

Co-Chairs: Ingrid Arnault  (France), Anais Chailleux (France) & Thibault Nève de Mevergnies (Belgium)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: Ivan Hiltpold (Switzerland)

• Ecosystem services -Soil managers and Architects

Co-Chairs: Oliver Blight (France)
Description:
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• Ecosystems services – Pollination

Co-Chairs: Irene Villalta (France) & Sara Reverté Saiz (Belgium)

Description: A high proportion of flowering plants depends on pollinators for their reproduction, rendering pollination as one of the key ecosystem services. Insects are the most important group of pollinators worldwide, especially in temperate areas. This symposium aims to showcase the state-of-the-art research in the field and to assess the current status and future prospects of this essential ecosystem service in European agricultural and natural landscapes.

Keynote Speaker: Jane Stout (Ireland)

We also welcome additional contributions relevant to this thematic session that do not fall under any of the designated symposia.

SYMPOSIA

• Paleoentomology

Co-Chairs: Vincent Perrichot (France) & Brendon Boudinot (Germany)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: David Peris (Spain)

• Museomics

Chair: Jeremy Gauthier (Switzerland)

Description: Museomics is a fast-growing field of evolutionary biology that leverages the richness of historical museum collections. These collections provide access to reliably catalogued and identified specimens gathered over time, including species that are now rare or inaccessible. Such specimens can greatly expand datasets used to study diversification processes across entire clades. Moreover, the temporal context of their collection allows researchers to reconstruct recent evolutionary trajectories, investigate extinct or declining species, and inform conservation strategies. Thanks to advances in cutting-edge genomic tools, museomics transforms museum collections into powerful and dynamic resources for understanding evolutionary processes.

Keynote Speaker: David Díez-del-Molino (Sweden)

• Insect Systematics in the Biodiversity Crisis: Bridging Tradition and Innovation

Co-Chairs: Carlos Lopez-Vaamonde (France) & Spasojevic Tamara (Austria)

Description: We are facing a global biodiversity crisis, marked by accelerating extinction rates driven by widespread habitat destruction. At the same time, millions of insect species remain undiscovered, undescribed, and unclassified, while taxonomic expertise is in alarming decline. Rapid advances in taxonomic methods, systematics, and phylogenetics are transforming our ability to document and understand insect diversity. By bringing together traditional approaches and cutting-edge tools this symposium will showcase how modern taxonomy can rise to meet today’s biodiversity challenges and our understanding of insect diversity through time.

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• Archeoentomology

Co-Chairs: Stefano Vanin (Italy)
Description:
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We also welcome additional contributions relevant to this thematic session that do not fall under any of the designated symposia.

SYMPOSIA

• Endocrinology and Hormonal Regulation in Insects

Co-Chairs: Charlotte Lécureuil (France) & Rosario Planello (Spain)

Description: This session deeps into the fascinating world of insect hormones and how they shape everything from growth and reproduction to behavior and survival. Classic pathways involving juvenile hormone and ecdysteroids will be discussed, and we will also welcome insights into less-known hormonal systems, including insulin signaling and neuropeptides. With insights from leading experts, this session offers a fresh look at the hormonal architecture that drives insect biology and how insects modulate these complex responses in changing environments.

Keynote Speaker: Javier Bellès (Spain)

• Insect pathology and immunity

Co-Chairs: Elisabeth Herniou (France) & Yannick Moret (France)

Description: This symposium on “Insect pathology and immunity” will look into the dynamic interplay between insects and their pathogens, with the immune system as the critical interface. From triggering immune defenses to evolving mechanisms of immune evasion, bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens shape, and are shaped by, host immune responses. We invite contributions that explore these interactions from functional, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives. Whether grounded in molecular mechanisms, theoretical models, or ecological contexts, your research will help emphasize how host-pathogen relationships adapt and evolve.

Keynote Speaker: Jens Rolff (Germany)

• Neurobiology and Sensory systems

Co-Chairs: Steeve Thany (France) & Emily Baird (Sweden)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: Martin Giurfa (France)

• Insect development

Co-Chairs: Roshan Vijendravarma (France) & Floris Bosveld

Description: In this symposium, we aim to bring together the latest findings and explore recent concepts in insect growth and development. While studies on Drosophila have long been central to the field of Developmental Biology, we also welcome and strongly encourage contributions from researchers working on other insect species. Topics of interest include embryogenesis, metamorphosis, tissue growth, morphogenesis, regeneration, and the internal and external factors that regulate organ growth, size, and symmetry. We are especially eager to hear about cutting-edge theoretical and empirical approaches used to investigate the molecular and evolutionary basis of insect development.

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• Insect metabolism and nutrition

Chair: Morena Casartelli (Italy)
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• Molecular tools for functional studies

Chair: Thibaut Josse (France)
Description:
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We also welcome additional contributions relevant to this thematic session that do not fall under any of the designated symposia.

SYMPOSIA

• Division of labour, Behavioural specialisation & collective decision making

Co-Chairs: Romain Libbrecht (France) & Enikö Csata (France)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: Tiphaine Bailly (USA)

• Parental care

Co-Chairs: Joël Meunier (France), Maximilian Körner (Germany) & Jos Kramer (Germany)

Description: Insects display a remarkable diversity of parental strategies that help their offspring survive and thrive. Yet, despite their prevalence across taxa, insect parental care has long been overshadowed by iconic models of vertebrate parenting and the dominant focus on insect eusociality. This symposium aims to bring insect parental care into the spotlight. We will explore its striking diversity across species and showcase cutting-edge research on its ecology, evolutionary history, its chemical, hormonal, and molecular underpinnings, as well as its role in adaptation to anthropogenic changes. We welcome contributions from all disciplines investigating any aspect of insect parental care.

Keynote Speaker: Sandra Steiger (Germany)

• Apidology

Chair: Eric Darrouzet (France) & Yves Le Comte (France)
Description:
Keynote Speaker: Peter Neumann

We also welcome additional contributions relevant to this thematic session that do not fall under any of the designated symposia.