On the morning of September 20, Professor Arnold van Huis, a consultant to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, and Associate Professor Jeffery K. Tomberlin, past-chair of American Board of Forensic Entomology, from Texas A & M University, were invited to give lectures in the Microbiology Frontier Forum, organized by College of Life Science and Technology, HAZU.

In his lecture “Insects as food and feed: perspective from a pioneer” Prof. van Huis introduced the development of edible insects, the current situation and prospect, and related skills and methods based on the global statistic data from FAO at a slow and firm pace to the audience, who listened attentively while anticipating the promising future of insects as food and feed.

The Associate Prof. Tomberlin’s speech, titled “Microbial Whispers Regulate Resiliency Within Ephemeral Resource Ecology”，engaged all minds with a single question of stinky tofu. Whereafter, he illustrated how insects and microorganisms work in natural decomposition processes, and then showed the participants pictures about different ecological niche characteristics and functions of insects as well as microorganisms in the natural decomposition process.

During and after the lectures, Prof. van Huis and Prof. Tomberlin exchanged ideas on some entomology problems with participating experts and students.

Profile

Arnold van Huis is a professor in Entomology Department, Wageningen University, Netherlands, who is an internationally renowned professor of entomology, enjoying great reputation in research on edible and feed insects. He has published more than 50 SCI research papers and books in last five years, which have been cited for more than 2800 times in total. He is an advisor for FAO of the United Nations, a committee member of International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology and a consultant for International Cooperation Department of the Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Jeffery K. Tomberlin is an associate professor in Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University. His major research areas and expertise are edible insects, insects and microbial ecology and Forensic Medicine etc. He has published more than 70 SCI research papers and books in last five years, which have been cited for more than 2500 times in total. He is a council member of American Board of Forensic entomology in Texas and Entomological Society of America, and was vice president of the Entomological Society of America as well as president of North America Association for Forensic entomology.

Tr. Tang Liming