Fortaleza hosts the largest entomology event in Latin America

The Entomological Society of Brazil (SEB) promotes between August 30th and September 02nd, 2022, at the Events Center in Fortaleza (CE), the XXVIII Brazilian Congress of Entomology. Over the four days of programming, the most recent advances in science that study insects and their relationships with humans, plants and animals will be presented. 2 delegates from ten countries will participate - including researchers, professors, agribusiness professionals, consultants, producers and also undergraduate and postgraduate students. 

With the theme Biodiversity: Know, conserve and use, the event will provide discussions, innovation, collaboration and exchange of experiences between scientific agents, industry and society. The president of the congress, Flavia Rabelo Barbosa Moreira, states that Brazil is recognized as one of the important global centers in entomological research applied to agriculture and that the theme of this edition connects research advances to productive sectors.  

Flávia Moreira highlights that insects account for approximately 80% of the species in the animal kingdom. “We depend on insects to maintain the balance of ecosystems, for the pollination of plants, for the production of honey, silk and other natural products, as well as for the decomposition of organic matter and even used in solving crimes”, it says. This last use of insects is applied to forensic entomology, which uses the analysis and knowledge of the habits of insects found on corpses to obtain information such as place and time of death.  

Insects are also a source of protein for human and animal nutrition. And this usefulness will be addressed both in lectures and through tastings at the stands of institutions present at the event. The vice-president of the congress Nivia Dias, a researcher at Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical, highlights among the scientific advances presented at the congress, the genetic sequencing of the worst pest that attacks coffee plantations, the coffee leaf miner (Leucoptera coffeella), which causes losses of between 30 % to 70% in production. The work carried out by Embrapa researchers will allow the use of genetic tools and bioproducts capable of reducing or replacing chemical insecticides on crops.

The scientific program consists of lectures, symposiums, round tables, mini-courses and oral and poster presentations of work. There will also be a program aimed at students, preparing them for a career in the entomology field, in addition to the student competition, which will reward the best work presented by them at the event.

Side Events

Bug Planet: Maintained by the Museu do Instituto Biológico, Planeta Inseto is the only insect zoo in Brazil and Latin America authorized by IBAMA and the Secretariat of the Environment of the State of São Paulo. Around 500 students from registered schools will be able to visit the Planeta Insect exhibition, which shows the importance of these organisms and their particular universe. Among the attractions are hives in full activity, with their bees producing honey, caterpillars weaving silk thread, ants working in an organized social system and termites recycling organic material. The exhibition presents the universe of insects in a dynamic way, with playful and attractive resources, such as interactive panels, microscopes for observing tiny creatures, digital media, games and other curiosities. 

Producer and Consultant Arena: In the Producer and Consultant Arena, located in the booth pavilion, “success stories” from Public and Private Companies will be presented, involving the different lines of action in technology transfer and dissemination, with solutions for entomological demands.

Entomostart: Entomostart is a showcase of innovative technologies focused on the area of ​​entomology. The event aims to bring together startups, accelerators and investors in general, as well as presenting the most recent innovations created by new companies to the public. The exhibition will take place in a hybrid format, on September 2nd, from 14 pm to 17 pm.

EntomoQuiz: EntomoQuiz is a question and answer competition on the topic of entomology played between teams of postgraduate students in the agricultural or biological field. SEB's objective in promoting this event is to encourage integration between CBE participants and the discussion of knowledge in entomology.