Early Detection, Collaboration Key to Invasive Fruit Fly Eradication in Florida
The largest-ever outbreak of the invasive oriental fruit fly in Florida in 2015 was successfully quelled through a six-month eradication program that combined outreach, control, science, technology, and regulation.
Counting Ticks on Animals is More Complicated Than It Sounds
Simply counting the number of ticks on a host animal seems like a straightforward task, but an analysis of published tick research finds no single, standard method among scientists. A group of researchers says tick-counting methods should be as rigorous as any other scientific procedure and described clearly enough to allow their use in other studies.
You Can Thank Insects for Many Human Inventions
Even in this digital age, we continue to extract ideas and materials from insects and their relatives. However, the challenge of today may be to avoid a strictly utilitarian view of other organisms, whereby a species is expendable if it cannot demonstrate economic value that can be measured in dollars.
Collection of Frozen Beetles Passes 20,000 Vials
The University of Florida's Forest Entomology Lab hosts the world's largest cryo-collection of bark and ambrosia beetles. Stored at –80 degrees Celsius, the samples are critical for study of the beetles' DNA and fungal symbionts, as well as for identification of beetle outbreaks in forests.
A Promising New Parasitoid Drills Down on Emerald Ash Borers
In a recent study, the wasp Spathius galinae successfully established wild populations and outperformed other parasitoids in attacking invasive emerald ash borers in three northeastern states in the U.S. Researchers say it could become a useful biological control agent to protect native ash trees.
When Forest Fires Flare, Woodboring Beetles Rush In
Woodboring beetles make good food for woodpeckers, and researchers studying how forest fires affect bird populations have studied the patterns of woodboring-beetle colonization of forests after fires. Their findings offer clues and raise new questions about the impact of fires on forest ecosystems, in a time of increased fire activity and longer fire seasons.
Research That’s For the Birds: Grazed Land Increases Insect Food Supply for Sage Grouse
A recent Environmental Entomology study sheds new light on how insects fit into the puzzle of sage grouse—and rangeland—conservation.
A Little Bit of Spit and a Whole Lot of Patience: What It Takes to Produce a Butterfly Field Guide
Sebastián Mena of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama collected and photographed 120 butterfly species for a guidebook he co-authored about Panama’s Pipeline Road Trail. Find out what Mena says goes into researching, writing, and designing an insect field guide.
Beat the Heat: Maximizing Summer Productivity
For entomology graduate students, summer is not the same break from school and work that it was in their undergraduate days. Field work, experiments, research, and writing all fill up the schedule. Here are some tips from a fellow student on making the most of the summer season.
European Earwig: Fruit Pest, Potential Ally, or Both?
A new profile in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management busts some myths about the European earwig (Forficula auricularia). Though perceived as a pest, it is actually an underappreciated biological control agent and likely a beneficial insect in most apple orchards.
How an “Accidental Entomologist” Connects Disparate Fields to Study Insect Ecology
Meet Manu Saunders, Ph.D., postdoctoral research fellow at the University of New England, Australia, expert in insect community ecology and ecosystem services, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
Drosophilid Melting Pot: African Fig Fly Meets Spotted-Wing Drosophila in the U.S.
The African fig fly (Zaprionus indianus) is an invasive fruit fly in North America that has been found commingling with its cousin spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii), sometimes even using the latter's egg-laying sites for its own. A new profile in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management highlights the African fig fly's biology and range and offers options for management.
Communication is Power: Here’s How Entomologists Can Use It
A group of entomologists urge their colleagues and the academic community at large to invest—both time and money—in professional communication to expand the impact of their science.
Researchers Share New Method for Detecting Insect Egg Predators
A proof-of-concept study shows insect eggs can be marked with protein that can be later detected in a gut-content analysis of arthropod predators that fed on the eggs. Researchers say the method has applications in biological control and beyond.
Virus Helps Onion Thrips Live Longer, Do More Damage
Iris yellow spot virus is bad for onions, but it's good for the thrips species that carry the virus and spread it to onion plants. In a recent study, infected onion thrips lived about 20 percent longer than uninfected thrips, giving them more time to damage onion plants and transmit the virus.
How a Honey Bee’s Waggle is Inspiring Aerospace Design
Engineers may recognize the internal muscle structure of a honey bee abdomen for its resemblance to a Stewart platform, a mechanical device that enables six degrees of freedom in movement. Researchers who have found its natural equivalent in bees say the discovery is already informing their work in designing articulating nose cones for rockets.
Amazing Insects ›
How a Honey Bee’s Waggle is Inspiring Aerospace Design
Engineers may recognize the internal muscle structure of a honey bee abdomen for its resemblance to a Stewart platform, a mechanical device that enables six degrees of freedom in movement. Researchers who have found its natural equivalent in bees say the discovery is already informing their work in designing articulating nose cones for rockets.
Yellowjackets: A Look at Opportunistic Raiders of Honey Bee Hives
Yellowjackets are nuisance predators of honey bees, preying on them and pillaging their honey. But bees fight back, and healthy hives are rarely at risk. Learn more about yellowjackets, their interactions with bees, and what sets yellowjackets apart from hornets and other fellow wasps.
Meet the Mosquito With a Big Appetite—for Other Mosquitoes
The mosquito species Toxorhynchites rutilus is harmless to humans but is a voracious predator of other mosquitoes. Researchers in Houston, Texas, are hoping the "mosquito assassin" could be put into action as a tool for controlling mosquitoes that carry human pathogens—if they can find an efficient way to raise the predator mosquitoes in the lab.
Show or Tell? Testing Peacock Spiders’ Multi-Modal Mating Display
Famous for their flashy colors, peacock spiders also emit vibrational signals during their mating dance. But why both kinds of courtship cues? And which kind matters more? Researchers have been studying peacock spiders to find out.
Science Policy and Outreach ›
Communication is Power: Here’s How Entomologists Can Use It
A group of entomologists urge their colleagues and the academic community at large to invest—both time and money—in professional communication to expand the impact of their science.
Why IPM Adoption is Lower in Developing Countries
Integrated pest management comes with a variety of benefits, but its mix of methods can present complicated choices to growers low on resources and agricultural advice. A new report in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management outlines some potential solutions.
Why Empathy, Connection, and Confidence are Critical for Science Communication
Patricia Raun, director of The Center for Communicating Science at Virginia Tech, traces her path from professional actor to science communicator and offers entomologists advice on engaging with their communities.
Citywide Mosquito Management Effort in Puerto Rico During Zika Outbreak Offers Lessons for Future
An integrated vector management program is no small undertaking, but a program run in Caguas City, Puerto Rico, during the Zika outbreak of 2016 shows such an effort can be successful at the scale of a city of more than 140,000 people.
Research News ›
Counting Ticks on Animals is More Complicated Than It Sounds
Simply counting the number of ticks on a host animal seems like a straightforward task, but an analysis of published tick research finds no single, standard method among scientists. A group of researchers says tick-counting methods should be as rigorous as any other scientific procedure and described clearly enough to allow their use in other studies.
A Promising New Parasitoid Drills Down on Emerald Ash Borers
In a recent study, the wasp Spathius galinae successfully established wild populations and outperformed other parasitoids in attacking invasive emerald ash borers in three northeastern states in the U.S. Researchers say it could become a useful biological control agent to protect native ash trees.
When Forest Fires Flare, Woodboring Beetles Rush In
Woodboring beetles make good food for woodpeckers, and researchers studying how forest fires affect bird populations have studied the patterns of woodboring-beetle colonization of forests after fires. Their findings offer clues and raise new questions about the impact of fires on forest ecosystems, in a time of increased fire activity and longer fire seasons.
Research That’s For the Birds: Grazed Land Increases Insect Food Supply for Sage Grouse
A recent Environmental Entomology study sheds new light on how insects fit into the puzzle of sage grouse—and rangeland—conservation.
The Entomology Profession ›
Collection of Frozen Beetles Passes 20,000 Vials
The University of Florida's Forest Entomology Lab hosts the world's largest cryo-collection of bark and ambrosia beetles. Stored at –80 degrees Celsius, the samples are critical for study of the beetles' DNA and fungal symbionts, as well as for identification of beetle outbreaks in forests.
A Little Bit of Spit and a Whole Lot of Patience: What It Takes to Produce a Butterfly Field Guide
Sebastián Mena of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama collected and photographed 120 butterfly species for a guidebook he co-authored about Panama’s Pipeline Road Trail. Find out what Mena says goes into researching, writing, and designing an insect field guide.
Beat the Heat: Maximizing Summer Productivity
For entomology graduate students, summer is not the same break from school and work that it was in their undergraduate days. Field work, experiments, research, and writing all fill up the schedule. Here are some tips from a fellow student on making the most of the summer season.
How an “Accidental Entomologist” Connects Disparate Fields to Study Insect Ecology
Meet Manu Saunders, Ph.D., postdoctoral research fellow at the University of New England, Australia, expert in insect community ecology and ecosystem services, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
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How Milkweed Location Influences Monarch Egg-Laying and Survival
A study examining monarch butterflies’ preferences for laying eggs on milkweed in cropland, open ground, or prairie—as well as predation rates on eggs in those settings—offers some mixed signals for monarch-conservation efforts.
Communication is Power: Here’s How Entomologists Can Use It
A group of entomologists urge their colleagues and the academic community at large to invest—both time and money—in professional communication to expand the impact of their science.
Survey Shines Light on Beekeepers’ Efforts to Manage Varroa Mites
Nonchemical Varroa-management methods are more common among small-scale beekeepers, but chemical varroacides show wide use among all types.
Building-Wide Pest Management Program Stops Cockroaches From Moving Nextdoor
A study of the spatial distribution of German cockroaches in a high-rise apartment building found infestations were clustered in groups of adjacent units. But a building-wide integrated pest management program can be successful in eliminating most infestations and, importantly, stopping the cockroaches from migrating from one apartment to the next.
New Study Highlights Ups and Downs in Tick Management
A new study examines two host-targeted tick-control methods, and one shows a distinct advantage, but it's likely not cost-effective for the typical homeowner.
Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire: Becoming an Early-Career Entomologist
For entomology students making the move to science careers, this time of transition can pose a variety of new challenges. New doctoral graduate Lina Bernaola shares her experience as she steps into the next stage as an early-career professional.
Virus Helps Onion Thrips Live Longer, Do More Damage
Iris yellow spot virus is bad for onions, but it's good for the thrips species that carry the virus and spread it to onion plants. In a recent study, infected onion thrips lived about 20 percent longer than uninfected thrips, giving them more time to damage onion plants and transmit the virus.
Spectroscopy Opens Potential for Ultra-Early Pest Detection in Crops
Researchers at Purdue University are developing new ways to apply spectroscopy in service of greater food security. By analyzing light reflected by plants, they can detect compounds the plants produce soon after they face an insect pest attack or other stressor.
Drosophilid Melting Pot: African Fig Fly Meets Spotted-Wing Drosophila in the U.S.
The African fig fly (Zaprionus indianus) is an invasive fruit fly in North America that has been found commingling with its cousin spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii), sometimes even using the latter's egg-laying sites for its own. A new profile in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management highlights the African fig fly's biology and range and offers options for management.