Sweden – Lund Entomological Collection, Lund University – October, 2021

Despite being most focused on old World Elateroidea, this collection housed many undescribed New World paedomorphic Lycidae, including the first apterous Lycidae in the Americas (perhaps in the world?). Collections are always a surprise and a gamble, and this one was a very rewarding one.
Happy and excited with the possibility of working in such a rich, but poorly explored collection. Detail to the unsorted Lycidae (now properly sorted).
Among the treasures of this collection, the guestbook dating back to 1845.
Among the signatures of many entomologists, a single page was dedicated to the King Carl XVI of Sweden. Even kings are interested in the wonders of entomology!

2nd International Symposium on the Elateroidea – October 9th, 2021

Program of the Elateroidea Symposium, 2021.
Over 60 people from all over the world, in many time zones, attended this year’s meeting, which was an absolute success!
Yun Hsiao on his presentation of the new Cantharidae chapter of the upcoming Australian Beetles book.
Hume Douglas presentation on his phylogenomics study of Elateridae!
André Roza presenting the latest updates on Phengodidae phylogeny.
My own presentation on paedomorphic Lycidae from the West Indies.
Robert Constantin on his presentation of the Maurice Pic collection in Paris.
Gabriel Biffi’s presentation on the taxonomy and systematics of the genus Pachymesia (Cantharidae).
Jesús A. Cruz-López presentation on click beetles associated with roselle crops in Mexico.
Professor Santiago Zaragoza Caballero talk on Photinus (Lampyridae).
Ana Walker’s presentation on fireflies at extinction risk.

Czech Republic – Immature Beetles Meeting, Národní Muzeum and Prague Insect Fair – October 2021

Little (perhaps scary) path underneath a bridge to take you to the National Museum of Czech Republic.
Focusing on finding potential paedomorphic Lycidae in the National Entomological Museum of Czech Republic: many specimens found!
Not only lycids and elateroids are paedomorphic, several unrelated beetle lineages, including Chrysomelidae, are known to have groups displaying features that can be considered paedomorphic.
My presentation on the life stage associations of larvae, extreme paedomorphic females and adult males of Lycidae. The displayed photo is a Leptolycus flavoapicalis, one of the most beautiful lycid species in the Americas.
Happy hour after a day of immature beetles, after the Immature Beetles Meeting 2021.
Butterflies being sold in the traditional Insect Fair. Many happy entomologists gathered after a year without being able to get together publicly.
Off to a good start, with insects, beer and friends and colleagues in the early morning of this year’s insect fair in Prague.
Myself and Robin Kundrata plotting the future of Elateroidea studies.

2nd International Symposium on the Elateroidea!

I am happy to share that I am organizing with my colleagues Cisteil X. Pérez and Oliver Keller the 2nd International Symposium on the Elateroidea. The meeting will be held completely online on October, 9th 2021! Registration is free and open to all interested! More info and registration link available at the event webpage: https://elateroidsymposium.info/index.html