Insects at risk for predators may be more prone to death and disease than their less hunted counterparts, according to William Snyder of Washington State University’s Department of Entomology.

In his free public presentation, “Scared Sick: Fear and disease in the bug world,” Dr. Snyder will discuss his research to determine how the risk of predation, among other things, affects the health of insect populations.

He says insects that are more “fearful” may be more prone to death and disease than those not exposed to risk. His research uses insect models and is based on the “ecology of fear,” or the notion that even if an animal does not die as a direct result of predation, other aspects of its life may be negatively affected.

His talk, the Department of Biological Sciences’ Doyle Lecture, is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, March 26, in room 102, Toldo Health Education Centre.