The Beauty and the Bees: Talk by Dr. Roger Schürch with Virginia Tech

In conjunction with the new exhibition Rimer Cardillo … and the deep ecology of a sacred nature, Virginia Tech Assistant Professor of Insect Ecology Dr. Roger Schürch will present a talk titled “The Beauty and the Bees.”

Dr. Schürch will discuss the beauty of bees from multiple angles as he walks the audience through their evolutionary history, diversity, and ecological roles.

This journey will take us from individual bee colors to the beautiful, complex patterns that emerge from bees living together in large societies.

Dr. Roger Schürch completed his Ph.D. in Behavioral Ecology at the University of Bern, Switzerland, where he contributed to our understanding of animal societies by investigating behavioral variation within social groups in a highly cooperative fish from Lake Tanganyika.

Dr. Schürch has since made contributions to the field of social insect ecology and evolution. His work sheds light on the fascinating world of eusocial insects, bees in particular, which live in large-scale, complex societies.

Bees play essential roles as pollinators and honey producers, but other social insects can also be pests. By studying their behaviors and adaptations, Dr. Schürch’s research enhances our understanding of cooperative societies and the ecological dynamics of these gorgeous insects.

Galleries will be open before and after the talk so you can enjoy Rimer Cardillo’s many works of art honoring the environment and our natural world.

Free and welcoming to all, though registration is encouraged to reserve your seat.