Ecuador: Tropical Entomology and Evolutionary Biology in Ecuador and the Galápagos

Discover Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands during this two-week summer course.

About the Program

Trek through the country of Ecuador and its Galápagos Islands to explore tropical insects and gain an understanding of the culture and biodiversity of this equatorial region. During this more-than-two-week summer course, you will explore Ecuador’s cloud forest jungles at the Maquipucuna Reserve while photographing and studying insects. You’ll use digital macrophotography to capture memorable insect images and will identify samples for research and discussion. Evening lectures and labs cover selected topics in tropical entomology and insect natural history. You’ll experience local culture during visits to coffee and cacao plantations, and ecotouristic towns neighboring the Maquipucuna Cloud Forests in the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve. In addition, the itinerary includes trips to Ecuador’s capital, Quito.

After ten days on the mainland in Ecuador, you will travel as a group to the famous Galápagos Islands. In the Galápagos, hikes in the land ecosystems of the Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal Islands provide opportunities to observe birds and other animals while you search for new insects and understand Darwin's theory of evolution. Daily snorkeling trips allow you to make close observations of the islands’ unique fauna.

This unique study abroad opportunity gives you the chance to experience Ecuador and it’s Galápagos Islands while gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for tropical insects, biodiversity and the unique culture of the region.


CAES Experiential Learning Scholarship

The CAES Experiential Learning scholarship is available to CAES undergraduate students pursuing experiential learning activities. Eligible experiential learning activities include study abroad programs, internships, fellowships, service-learning projects, professional development, leadership-building programs and entrepreneurship. Students participating in both credit and non-credit experiential learning activities may apply. This scholarship is supported in part by the Deans' Promise Fund. Applications are open to all who intend to participate in Experiential Learning in Fall 2023, Spring 2024 or Summer 2024. CAES students may apply BEFORE a program runs and BEFORE they are accepted. However, scholarship money will not be awarded until the student is officially accepted and committed to the program, and in the respective semester. The first wave of applications will be due October 1, 2023. **Please note: this application is not intended for students applying to the following programs: Congressional Ag Fellows, Georgia Legislative Internship, Georgia Agribusiness Council Internship or the Winegrowers of Georgia Internship. Separate online applications are available for those programs.

Additional Scholarships for International Travel

Quick Facts

Dates: Maymester 2024

Estimated Program Fee: $4,250 + Tuition and Fees + Airfare

Courses: ENTO 4850/4850L, 4 hrs; ENTO 3900, 2 hrs

Apply here
 View Program Flyer

Program Contact

Donald E. Champagne Associate Professor
Entomology