Entomologist Guy Tomasovic dedicates an insect species to Dean Frederic Francis

Guy Tomasovic is an amateur entomologist, attracted by the curiosity of nature and life. This desire to learn led him to become interested in Diptera, before gradually specializing in the study of members of the family Asilidae. He then became interested in the natural sciences, particularly biogeography.

His passion for entomology started in 1990, at the age of 48, when he attended a conference of Professor Charles Jeuniaux on silkworms. Totally neophyte, he will often push the doors of the Institute of Zoology at the Édouard Van Beneden quay in Liege, to find help in his research. He was welcomed and stimulated by Dr. Noel Magis, before joining the family of entomologists of Gembloux.

After the retirement of Professor Leclercq, he will become a scientific collaborator of Professor Gaspar and his successors. Taken by his newfound passion, he will tour the main entomological collections of Europe to study the Asilidae. Guy Tomasovic will be supported in all his initiatives, including that of describing new species.

It is in this approach that he has just dedicated a species to Professor Francis, for his commitment to entomology, notably as founder of the Insectarium Jean Leclercq - Hexapoda in Waremme. Leinendera francisii is the name of this Brazilian insect contributing to the natural balance as an auxiliary predator. This collaboration illustrates a societal facet of the University: that of welcoming amateurs, enthusiasts and giving them access to the infrastructures and university relays. It is an aspect of the lifelong learning approach associated with community services, which is the third pillar of the University. It also means being able to count on efficient collaborators who thus participate in the genesis of knowledge, in this case entomological knowledge.