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Plants, Bugs, and Molecules: The Chemistry of Plants & Insects | Berkeley

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Friday, April 12, 2019 - 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free with Garden admission; Free for UCBG members, UC Berkeley students, staff, and faculty

UC Berkeley Botanical Garden | 200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, CA

Free / RSVP

Plants and insects communicate in numerous ways, and chemistry plays a key role in these communications. Natural compounds determine whether a plant is consumed by insects or avoided by them, or which insects may pollinate its flowers. Some insects have learned to use plant compounds as their own defenses, and some plants digest insects as nutritional supplements. Plant-insect interactions are vital for our food supply, for pollination of orchards, and for the production of honey and silk. They can also be most destructive in insect infestations of crops.

Greti Séquin will introduce the subject of her recent book, The Chemistry of Plants and Insects: Plants, Bugs, and Molecules. With her enthusiastic and accessible way of connecting chemistry with plants and insects, she presents organic compounds in a motivating, understandable context that captures the interest of people who would like a deeper understanding of the natural world. Her presentation and book are aimed at non-chemists who enjoy observing plants and insects during walks in the outdoors or while visiting botanical gardens and other nature areas.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: FREE*
*Free with Garden admission; Free for UCBG members, UC Berkeley students, staff, and faculty
Categories: Lectures & Workshops
Address: 200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, CA