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Aer Lingus Young Scientists Exhibition 1979Author(s): M. J. P. ScannellSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 20, No. 1 (Jan., 1980), p. 42Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25538366 .
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42 Ir. Nat. J. Vol. 20 No. 1 1980
AER LINGUS YOUNG SCIENTISTS EXHIBITION 1979
The fifteenth Young Scientists Exhibition sponsored annually by Aer Lingus was staged at the
Royal Dublin Society, Ballsbridge from 5-7 January 1979. A total of 490 exhibits of both individual
and group projects were listed in the catalogue. In spite of the severe weather conditions then
prevailing and the difficulties of travel there were only 44 withdrawals. Exhibitors competed for
honours in three sections, the Biological Sciences, the Physical and Mathematical Sciences and the
Environmental and Social Sciences. In Biology there were 62 individual and 51 group entries.
The judges reported that standards had dropped in the biological and in environmental and social
sciences but in the physical and mathematical sections there was improvement. The standard of
display and presentation was considered to have improved. The award, 'Young Scientist 1979' went to Jervis Good, of Glenny, Riverstick, Co Cork, a
former pupil of Midleton College, who submitted a project 'The Earwig?an example of pest control*.
The objectives of the study were twofold; firstly to examine the pest status of the common earwig,
Forftcula auricularia L., the control methods at present in use supplemented by detailed study of the
biology and ecology of the insect, and secondly to form an impression of the principles of insect
management. The exhibitor stated that the study was 'an initial step towards the formulation of a
complete control programme for earwigs, and while provisional recommendations can be given, much research is yet needed ... If satisfactory long term control is to be achieved, the natural pest
regulatory factors must be known . . . studies of this sort take . . . over a decade .... important that significant natural enemies be identified qualitatively and 'artificial' control programmes directed
in such a way that they do as little harm as possible to these benefactors. Pest control is an ecological
problem and requires both an ecologically and economically satisfying solution.' The judges were
impressed by Jervis's comprehensive review of the relevant literature, and by the excellence of the
planning of the work. A special earwig trap was constructed. The runner-up award for 'Young Scientist 1979' was shared by two, Maurice Kernan of
Belvedere College, Dublin, who submitted 'A study of sand-dune structure and soil', taking the
published accounts of the North Bull (?near Dublin) as his dating point and studying the evolution of
sand dune vegetation and soils through time, and Patrick Grady of the Community School,
Falcarragh, Co. Donegal, who entered a study 'Heat from the wind*. In this a high level of skill was
shown in the various technical problems of the project and especially in the construction and
calibration of the apparatus. Jervis Good, by virtue of achieving the top award, qualified automatically to represent Ireland in
Oslo, in the Phillips European Contest for Young Scientists. The study was entered under the title
'The Concept of Ecopolemiology as illustrated by a preliminary study of the Bionomics of the
Earwig'. Jervis Good put up a creditable performance, he received one of the certificates of distinction
and a monetory supplement of ?500. Jervis had left school in 1977 to take charge of the tillage section
of his father's farm, intending to pursue scientific studies in relation to agriculture in leisure time. He
has now decided to enter University to study science and to concentrate later on entomology. In his address after the presentation of prizes in Dublin, the Chairman of Aer Lingus, Mr J. P.
Hayes, thanked the competitors, the teachers and the judges, and expressed appreciation of the
National Board for Science and Technology for presenting a library service to demonstrate the best
modern approach to research in science and technology.
Herbarium, National Botanic Gardens. Glasnevin, Dublin. M. J. P. SCANNELL
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES
OCCURRENCE OF LEATHERY TURTLE IN KILLALA BAY
About 26 September 1979, Mr P. J. Reilly of Rathlee, Co Sligo, found a leathery turtle,
Dermochelys coriacea (L.) entangled in the ropes of his lobster pots off Pullaheeny, Killala Bay (G
3036). When brought ashore the overall length was measured at 1.68 m. Maximum span between tips of extended_ forelimbs was 2.29m,
This is the first recorded stranding of this species on the Co Sligo Coast. The Western People of
October 6 carried a photograph and an account of the occurrence. I am indebted to Mr Des Brennan of
the Inland Fisheries Trust and Mr Jim Byrne of Enniscrone who provided a photograph and details of
the turtle.
National Museum of Ireland, Dublin 2. C. E. O'RIORDAN
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