Topics - Criquet De Crau

The topic of the symposium, insect conservation, will be introduced by Camila Leandro and Pierre Jay-Robert (researchers at the Centre for Functional Ecology in Montpellier).

Structured around four themes, each session will begin with a brief presentation of the actions carried out within the LIFE SOS Criquet de Crau project, before starting with your contributions.

We invite you to submit your contributions—oral or poster presentations—via the event registration form, on the following themes:

Threat analysis:

Studies on the relationships between habitat, species, and human activities that may lead to total (population-level) or local (sub-population) extinction.

Examples from the Crau Grasshopper: comparison of vegetation structure between recently extinct sites and occupied sites; pesticide detection in feces; study of avian predation by synanthropic species.

Species and habitat management:

In situ and ex situ breeding (captive management), habitat restoration, reintroduction, population reinforcement, etc.

Examples from the Crau Grasshopper: temporary grazing exclusion to avoid competition and insectivorous birds linked to livestock; producing egg pods ex situ for translocations; reintroduction of imagos on a site with habitat management; parasitology.

Scientific monitoring:

From population monitoring—including reintroduced ones—to the assessment of conservation measures. Methods used and their limitations, sampling strategies, estimating numbers/abundance/presence/indices, population genetics, etc.

Examples from the Crau Grasshopper: capture–recapture in a cryptic species; increasing detection using dogs.

How to assess and improve public perception:

Sociological studies, awareness-raising actions, and communication strategies.

Examples from the Crau Grasshopper: educational workshops in schools, outreach for shepherds, participatory actions in grasshopper habitat management.

The closing remarks will be delivered by Axel Hochkirch (Director of the Department of Biology, MNHN Luxembourg, and Chair of the IUCN-SSC Grasshopper Specialist Group & Invertebrates Conservation Commission).