BUGfest 2023 Bug Bite Speaker: Jason Cryan
Bug Bite Talk
Date and Time: Saturday, August 12, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & Sunday, August 13, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Title of Talk: Mild-Mannered Mini-Monsters
Talk Description: Many people know what cicadas are – but the insects related to cicadas (cicada cousins!) are weird and wonderful – and must be seen to be believed! This presentation will introduce the most charismatic insects in the world: the hoppers!
Bio: Dr. Jason Cryan is not only the Executive Director of the Natural History Museum of Utah, he’s also an entomologist! Jason’s research specialty is the study of tropical insect biodiversity and evolution, with a focus on the plant-eating insect group called Auchenorrhyncha, which includes treehoppers, leafhoppers, planthoppers, spittlebugs, and cicadas. To study these amazing animals, Jason has explored jungles and rainforests in more than 20 tropical countries around the world.