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Collin County Chapter – The Amazing Life History Strategies of Parasitoids

October 1 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Join us on October 1st to explore the amazing world of parasitoids!  Where do they live?  How do they survive attacks from their host? Are they dangerous or beneficial? Come ready to add several new words to your vocabulary, be awed by nature’s crazy ways, and walk away inspired to help this important group of insects by creating or improving your home and neighborhood habitats!

The presenter will be Katerina Graham, who is part of Texas A&M’s AgriLife Research and Extension Center, where she currently works for the Controlled Environment Entomology program.

Our program opens at 6:30 with social time and testing of connections, then at 7:00, Rodney Thomas, our chapter president, will have a short chapter update, followed by Katerina’s presentation. The meeting will conclude with a Q&A session.

You can attend the hybrid (in-person and online) meeting in person at the Heard Museum in McKinney. We meet in Laughlin Hall, which you can access from the first parking lot on your right as you enter the Heard and then through the South doors. 

Or you can join online via Zoom – https://tinyurl.com/yn85nbzd

Meeting ID: 885 5459 6572 ; Passcode: 571904

No registration is required, and the meeting will be recorded.

Katerina holds a B.S. in Animal Science, a Masters of Agriculture in Wildlife Management / Environmental Education, and an M.S. in Horticultural Entomology. She also holds an 8-12 teaching certificate in Biology and Spanish.

Katerina’s 20 years of experience includes working as a naturalist and environmental educator at two nature centers, a contract instructor for gifted and talented ISD programs, an Environmental Education Programs manager, and a Biology and Spanish teacher.

In 2020, after receiving her degree from OSU, Katerina worked for the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service in Corvallis, Oregon, as a Research Assistant and Project Manager for Biocontrol Studies. In 2022, she moved back to Texas to join Texas A&M’s AgriLife Extension Service, where she served as the Horticulture Agent for Dallas County. Recently, Katerina transitioned to the Dallas Research and Extension Center where she currently works for the Controlled Environment Entomology program.

Heard Museum Website

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About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason