Aballay Lab
Dra Emilce del Valle Amatta
Estimating the loss in crop systems due to leave-cutter ants in San Juan.
I am a biologist with a PhD in Biological Sciences, and I am a member of the Invertebrate Diversity group at the Institute and Museum of Natural Sciences. I am also a member of the Biological Interactions in the Desert (INTERBIODES) group at the Faculty of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences (FCEFyN) of the National University of San Juan (UNSJ). My research area lies in Agroecology, with an emphasis on the functioning of agroecological systems and the ecology and management of pest ants of agricultural and/or phytosanitary interest. Currently, I am a postdoctoral fellow of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina (CONICET) at the Geosphere and Biosphere Research Center (CIGEOBIO) of the University, I am a tenured professor of Biology at the Zonda Agricultural School, and I am the Chief of Practicals for the course "Invertebrate Diversity I" of the Bachelor's degree in Biology. I am publishing in high-impact scientific journals on various topics such as insect ecology in anthropized areas (crops/routes and roads), and natural areas (native forests/protected areas), as well as on environmental education.
Amatta EdV, Asunto P, De Los Ríos C, Ormeño L, & Campos V. 2024.
Experiencia escolar sobre el rol socioeducativo de los clubes ambientales en la enseñanza de las Ciencias Naturales [School experience on the socio-educational role of environmental clubs in the teaching of Natural Sciences].
Ciencia, Docencia y Tecnología 35: 1-11.
Amatta EdV, Andino N, Calcaterra LA, & Giannoni SM. 2023.
Effect of road disturbance on ant diversity in the Monte desert of Argentina.
Journal of Insect Conservation 27: 533-545.
Tec Osvaldo Ariel Moran
I am a Principal Technician at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina (CONICET). Future tasks will involve Muscina stabulans larvae (Diptera: Muscidae) that cause intestinal myiasis in children. The research will focus on the identification of the species causing myiasis in a child, the larval morphology of the populations described, and published for Europe will be compared with those recorded in different provinces of Argentina. Collaboration with Dr. Cecilia Apaldetti, Dr. Carina Colombi, and Dr. Leonardo Díaz Nieto on ecological studies of the mosquito species that develop their immature stages in the irrigation ditches of San Juan, which are vectors of the dengue virus in San Juan. I will participate in excursions with Dr. Paula Santi Malnis and Dr. Fernando Aballay; the collection of arthropods and mites associated with the decomposition process in mass and clandestine graves.
Lic Elias Gabriel Ruiz Estebes
Altitudinal variation of Histeridae (Coleoptera) of forensic importance in Monte, Cardonal, and Puna environments of Pie de Palo, San Juan, Argentina.
I hold a degree in forensic entomology on the Evaluation of the assemblage of forensically important beetles in different altitudinal zones in Andean and extra-Andean environments of the province of San Juan, Argentina, from the National University of San Juan (UNSJ). I am currently a doctoral student at the Institute and Museum of Natural Sciences.
Sánchez-Castro L, Rivero-Castro GA, Ruiz-Estebes EG, Pastrán-López OGA, Maya-Perez NJ, & Leos AR. 2013.
First record of Lasiurus (Aeorestes) villosissimus (É. Geoffroy St.-Hilaire, 1806) (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in San Juan province, Argentina.
Check List 19: 247-250.
Intern from CONICET Mendoza
Lic Fernando Nicolás Jofré
Study of life cycles and association of dipteran and coleopteran insects of forensic interest in urbanization gradients in arid environments of Mendoza, Argentina.
I am currently a doctoral fellow of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina (CONICET). I am also a Judicial Expert in forensic entomology in the province of Mendoza for the Public Prosecutor's Office.
Marchiori JI, Mansegosa DA, Giannotti S, Fernández Aisa CA, Jofré FN, & Aballay HF. 2022.
Carroñeo de cadáveres humanos: Aportes desde la tafonomía y la entomología a causas forenses (Mendoza, Argentina) [Scavenging of human corpses: Contributions from taphonomy and entomology to forensic causes (Mendoza, Argentina)]
Intersecciones en Antropología 2022, 53-65.
Arriagada G, Jofré FN, & Aballay FH. 2019.
Nueva especie de Euspilotus Lewis de Argentina (Coleoptera: Histeridae) [New species of Euspilotus Lewis of Argentina (Coleoptera: Histeridae)].
Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales 21, 7-15.
Lic María Agustina Alcobar Pareja
Studies of life cycles of Chlorobrachycoma versicolor (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Sarcophaga argyrostoma (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), and the entomofauna associated with buried bodies as new forensic indicators in arid environments in Argentina.
I hold a degree in Biology from the National University of San Juan (UNSJ). I am currently a doctoral fellow of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina (CONICET).
Lic Florencia Andrea Cano Suares
I am working at the Institute and Museum of Natural Sciences. I hold a degree in Biology from the National University of San Juan (UNSJ), I have a Diploma in Applied Geometrics in Public Health. I have been a professor of Biology and the Environment at the Las Pascal College in San Juan. Currently, I am a professor of Biology at the Catholic University of Cuyo and the Biologist in charge of the entomology laboratory for the Provincial vector control programs for dengue and chagas of the Epidemiology Division of the San Juan Ministry of Health. I am a director of theses in human vector control.
Tec Sofia Noelia Tores
Studies on the urban distribution of Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) from community surveillance in Greater San Juan.
Technician in Biology, Bachelor's thesis in Biology, in progress 2024-2025. Working in the field of applied entomology, on the control of vectors of sanitary importance for humans, specifically the species Triatoma infestans (Reduviidae, Hemiptera). The thesis will be on the community surveillance of Triatoma infestans in the province of San Juan. I am an applicant for a doctoral scholarship of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina (CONICET): Characterization of urban infestation by Triatoma infestans and validation of a rapid molecular test for the detection of Trypanosoma cruzi in San Juan.
Lic Ana Romina Cortéz Vega
Stratification of cadaveric entomofauna at different dephts in the ground, as a new forensic indicator in long post mortem intervals.
I hold a degree in Biology from the National University of San Juan (UNSJ), Faculty of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences (FCEFyN). I am currently a doctoral fellowa doctoral fellow of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), whose research focuses on the topic of Forensic Entomology. I am a member of the Invertebrates group in the Fauna Section of the Biology Division of the Institute and Museum of Natural Sciences (IMCyN). I am the Chief of Practicals for the courses of “General Ecology” and “Desert Ecology” of the Bachelor's degree in Biology.
Contact: acortezvega@unsj-cuim.edu.ar
Cortez-Vega A, Jofré-Barud F, Andino N, Gómez MP, & López ML. 2023.
Toxicological interactions between spinosad and essential oils in the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata.
Journal of Applied Entomology 147: 834–842.