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Aer Lingus Young Scientists Exhibition 1979 Author(s): M. J. P. Scannell Source: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 20, No. 1 (Jan., 1980), p. 42 Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25538366 . Accessed: 16/06/2014 00:59 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. . Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd. is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The Irish Naturalists' Journal. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded from 62.122.76.45 on Mon, 16 Jun 2014 00:59:34 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

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Page 1: Aer Lingus Young Scientists Exhibition 1979

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 .

Accessed: 16/06/2014 00:59

Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at .http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp

.JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range ofcontent in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new formsof scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected].

.

Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd. is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The IrishNaturalists' Journal.

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Page 2: Aer Lingus Young Scientists Exhibition 1979

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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