Below you will find a summary of the ICO2023 programme. This is the most up-to-date version and will be kept updated as the programme develops.
A printed version of the programme and abstracts will be available on site for registered delegates.
ICO2023 proposed programme overview
Congress programme
There are five main themes of the ICO2023 (see descriptions below). But the congress is also open to all other topics such as dragonfly ecology, evolution, behaviour, physiology and all other aspects concerning dragonflies.
Dragonflies on islands (Host Andreas Martens, Germany)
For odonates, islands offer opportunities and limitations. On one hand, there is the limited population size, the limited range, the high risk of extinction and the strong impact of habitat destruction and invasive species under island conditions. On the other hand, islands offer good opportunities for radiation and speciation. Secondly, island may be resorts for endemics or act as stepstones for invaders, especially under climate change conditions. The third perspective is that islands may serve as good models for trends in population size, habitat use, threads and extinction risks, worldwide. Because of isolation and clearly defined land size, it is easier to gain complete data sets, especially in the tropics.
Plenary speaker Andreas Martens: A theory of island odonatography
Biogeography (Host Vincent Kalkman, The Netherlands)
Data on distribution and phylogeny of dragonflies and damselflies has increased steadily in the past decades. With this data we can start to better describe and understand diversity patterns. How does habitat choice shape distribution patterns? Which distributions can best be explained by present day climate and which reflect past geological events? How will climate change impact the odonates of Cyprus?
Plenary speaker: n.n.
Taxonomy and Phylogeny (Host Jessica Ware, USA)
The intra-ordinal relationships among dragonflies and damselflies will be covered in this session on the taxonomy and phylogeny of Odonata. Both molecular and morphological systematics have been in a sort of renaissance over the last few years as new genomic and morphological tools have become available. We welcome talks on revisionary taxonomy, systematics, divergence time estimation, phylogeography and presentations which use phylogenies more broadly.
Plenary speaker Lacie Newton: GEODE: generic level sampling across Odonata allows for better understanding of the dragonfly and damselfly tree of life.
Conservation (Host Geert de Knijf, Belgium)
Many species of dragonflies are declining and are threatened in many parts of the world. To halt their decline and to restore their habitats, it is crucial to know their habitat requirements, both for the larval and for the adult stage. In this session we welcome presentations on habitat requirements, including their terrestrial habitats, on restoration projects, on population monitoring and trends.
Plenary speaker Roy van Grunsven: From records to conservation
Dragonflies in a changing climate (Host Frank Suhling, Germany)
There is no doubt that various aspects of climate change particularly warming and drought are affecting dragonflies in several ways. In this session we want to explore all aspects of climate change that may affect dragonfly distribution, life cycles, behaviour, species interactions, and community composition. We welcome presentations on field and laboratory studies exploring effects for instance on changes of development and phenology, on interactions between species, or on interactions between warming, drought and other stressors. Also trends in the development of dragonfly populations and major changes in the distribution of species that may be associated with climate change are appreciated. Of special interest is how range expansion and invasion of species caused or supported by climate change may affect the indigenous species and communities of Odonata.
Plenary speaker Frank Johansson: Potential effects of climate change on distribution and ecological interactions in Odonata
Sunday 25th June
1500 -1900: Registration
(Basement level of Neapolis University)
1800 -2000: Welcome cocktail reception
(University cafeteria area)
Monday 26th June
0800: Late registration
0900: Welcome, introductions and housekeeping
0920: Introduction to Cyprus
1000: Session 1. Chair: tba
Plenary talk
1040: Refreshments
1110: Presentations (4 slots)
1230 – 1330: Lunch
1330: Session 2. Chair: tba
Presentations (6 slots)
1530 – 1600: Refreshments
1600 – 1740: Presentations (5 slots)
1800 – 1930: Wine tasting
(University cafeteria area)
Tuesday 27th June
0900: Housekeeping
0910: Session 3. Chair: tba
Presentations (5 slots)
1050: Refreshments
1120: Presentations
1250 – 1350: Lunch
1350: Session 4. Chair: tba
Presentations (6 slots)
1550 – 1620: Refreshments
1620 – 1750: Presentations (5 slots)
Wednesday 28th June
0900: Housekeeping
0910: Session 5. Chair: tba
Presentations (5 slots)
1050 – 1120: Refreshments
1120: Presentations (4 slots)
1250: Mid-congress field trip briefing
1310 – 1415: Lunch
1415 – 1515: Poster viewing and book/membership sales
1500 – 1530: Refreshments
1530 – 1700: WDA Biennial meeting
Thursday 29th June
0800: Mid-congress field trip
(Coaches depart from Neapolis University)
Friday 30th June
0900: Housekeeping
0910: Session 6.Chair: tba
Presentations (5 slots)
1050- 1120: Refreshments
1120 – 1240: Presentations (4 slots)
1240 – 1340 Lunch
1340 – 1500: Presentations (4 slots)
1500 – 1530: Refreshments
1530: Wind-up session: student prizes; Invitation to ECOO2024; Invitation to Colombia, Acknowledgements; Final words
1830: Congress Dinner in the garden of the Neapolis University